Valparaiso University Graduate Improving Lives Through Music Therapy
Valparaiso University offers students with a passion for music multiple paths towards using their interest to better the world around them. In 2023, Julia Pastore ’22 became one of the first people from the University to obtain a certificate in music therapy, a qualification she now uses as part of Behavior Specialists of Indiana (BSI), a therapy center in Valparaiso. There, Pastore combines music with psychology to help a wide range of patients work towards physical, mental and emotional betterment.
Music therapy, as a field, has been around since the 1950s, but demand for professionals in the field has seen substantial growth in recent years. The primary idea of the discipline is to add music-based activities to the clinical setting.
“I work with people who are on the Medicaid waiver — so people with disabilities — adults and children, one on one,” Pastore said. “It’s tailored specifically to each person, so it’s interesting to see the scope. There’s such a broad scope of things you can cover.”
Some examples of how Pastore uses musical therapy include singing songs whose lyrics contain the repetition of specific words, practicing socialization with nonverbal children by listening to music of their choice with them, or exercising mobility in senior citizens through dance. While these activities may sound simple, their impact on patients is backed up by hard science.
“When you sing, it engages all of your brain,” Pastore said. “Speaking, for example, only engages part of it. If you’re like me, you’ve sung the ABC song when you’re alphabetizing something. It works because it’s the music sticking in your brain.”
Deciding that a person can benefit from music therapy involves much more than an appreciation of music. BSI serves clients benefiting from Medicaid, and who have been referred to them by a case manager or family member. Before music therapy can begin, a diagnosis and medical waiver are required, as well as a formal assessment that identifies the patient’s needs and goals.
Job opportunities in the music therapy field include positions within specialty clinics, hospitals, pediatric care facilities, schools, hospice, nursing homes and more.
Pastore describes her experience in Valparaiso University’s Music Therapy program as being akin to a double-major, requiring her to fully immerse herself in both music and psychology coursework. After completing her bachelor of arts in 2022, Pastore remained a part-time student to finish the clinical hours and internship period required to finally earn her certification. Once she had her certificate from Valparaiso University, Pastore had to pass a separate exam to obtain the Board Certification necessary to practice.
Music therapy is just one of the ways that Valparaiso University students and graduates are using their passions to improve the community around them. Their service to others is a pillar of the University’s five-year plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward. To find out more about music therapy at Valparaiso University, click here. To learn more about how Valpo musicians are enriching the community, see their schedule of upcoming performances here.
