"Empowering people with special needs through music"
Welcome to one of Malaysia’s premier Music Therapy websites. Music Therapy is an allied health profession which provides therapy to people with special needs, besides giving support and encouragement to their parents, teachers, counselors and caregivers. With the call from our Prime Minister (the Star, 4 May 2011) to support the growing population of people with special needs, it is therefore timely that Music Therapy be introduced as an approach to improve their quality of life and to bring out the best in each individual.–Cheryl
Music Therapy
Music Therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well-being. It addresses physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, communication and social needs of people within a therapeutic relationship.
(Australian Music Therapy Association www.austmta.org.au)
Why Music Therapy?
Music is a universal language as well as an effective tool which can be used with people of different cultures, countries, abilities and capabilities for it has the potential to heal. In recent years, extensive Music Therapy research has proven its effectiveness in health and educational settings.
Music is an intrinsic part of us all. Our breathing, movement and heartbeat – each consists of rhythm and pulse. Melody is produced in our laughing, crying or singing. These personal connections with music make it a creative and motivating medium which can stimulate, calm, or inspire us consciously or subconsciously.
Music Therapy vs. Music Education
Music Therapy does not require individuals to have any prior musical skills or knowledge because it focuses on achieving non-musical goals in a therapeutic setting. Music education on the other hand focuses on learning to play musical instruments to hone musical skills.
Who is a Registered Music Therapist?
A Registered Music Therapist is a qualified allied health practitioner who has undertaken tertiary study (at either undergraduate or post-graduate level) in courses accredited by any worldwide Music Therapy Associations (MTA). They are also registered with the MTA and are bound by their ethics and standards of practice.
Benefits of Music Therapy
Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music for:
Increasing social/interpersonal skills
Improving communication
Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music for:
Increasing social/interpersonal skills
Improving communication
Improving fine and gross motor coordination
Developing auditory, visual and tactile perception
Relaxing
Pain management
Cognitive stimulation
Encouraging emotional expression
Developing creative expression
Improving attention span
Improving self-esteem
Pain management
Cognitive stimulation
Encouraging emotional expression
Developing creative expression
Improving attention span
Improving self-esteem
Cheryl Mow is a qualified and registered music therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Arranging from the University of Westminster, UK and later pursued the Master of Music Therapy at the University of Queensland where she was awarded Dean’s List.
Her clinical experience in music therapy include dealing with people in aged care, children in hospital, adults in mental health setting and students in special schools. She was previously attached to a disability centre in Australia as a Music Therapist and an aged care facility as a Diversional Therapist. She also supervised students from the University of Queensland, was trained in teaching at Forte School of Music and in Orff Schulwerk Approach to Music & Movement.
Cheryl is also an accomplished musician who plays the piano, guitar and flute. Her musical experience includes piano performances in various functions and settings. She previously worked as a music arranger and has also a wide experience as a music educator in Malaysia and Australia. She embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of five, moved on to be a classically trained pianist as a teenager and later specialized in jazz and contemporary music playing.
Cheryl Mow is currently working hand-in-hand with the Malaysian community to use music in empowering lives. She works with individuals or groups of children/adults with learning difficulties/disabilities and conducts seminars and workshops for parents, teachers, caregivers and various organizations.