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Adaptive Music Program

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About the Adaptive Music Program

CMSS’ Adaptive Music Program (AMP) connects music education and special education to improve students’ lives, impacting their social/emotional, academic, and artistic development. CMSS believes that all learners deserve to be welcomed into the essential human experiences of making music and connecting with others through music, and that music instruction is an ideal medium for affirming all aspects of a student’s identity. AMP staff engage in ongoing professional development on opens in a new windowneurodivergence affirmation and opens in a new windowculturally responsive music pedagogyopens PDF file .

In Springfield, over 25% of public school students have identified disabilities that impact their learning. Music is a proven and effective tool for unlocking learning potential in students with disabilities, however, in both Springfield and the entire country, music education has yet to become a universal component of a child’s education. AMP partners with public schools and education centers throughout the Pioneer Valley, providing adaptive music classes for youth in preschool through high school in their typical classroom setting during the school day. AMP is believed to be the only specialized accessible music education program in the country that delivers its services primarily in public schools where participation barriers like transportation and tuition have been removed. AMP is currently serving more than 600 students.

Click to read an article by AMP Director Jessica Corwin in the summer 2025 issue of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Journal: “Anti-Ableist Music Education in Action: Springfield’s Adaptive Music Program”

Adaptive Music Program Offerings

For more information, contact Jessica Corwin, Adaptive Music Program Director: jcorwin@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email

Adaptive Music Program Impact

In a 2024 survey of Springfield Public Schools classroom staff, respondents agreed with these statements as follows:

  • I have seen young people better able to express their thoughts and feelings because of their involvement with AMP: 88.3%
  • I have seen young people deepen their social connections with classmates and staff because of their involvement with AMP: 91.8%
  • I have seen a reduction in feelings of stress or anxiety from the young people who have been involved in AMP: 91.8%
  • My students are known, respected, and valued for who they are by their AMP Teaching Artist: 96.7%
  • I have seen an increased sense of confidence in the young people who have been involved in AMP: 98.3%
  • I have seen young people positively impacted by exposing them to music from a variety of cultures during AMP instruction: 98.3%

AMP Faculty

Jessica Corwin, Program Director and Teaching Artist

opens in a new windowJon Burgos, Teaching Artist

Nora Cruz, Teaching Artist and Music Therapist

Jennifer Kass, Teaching Artist and Music Therapist

Tara Murphy, Teaching Artist

opens in a new windowRick Marshall, Teaching Artist

I-SHEA, Teaching Artist

opens in a new windowJulia Urbank, Teaching Artist

close up of AMP student sitting and smiling in an AMP music class


Community Music School of Springfield is proud to be a opens in a new windowKennedy Center VSA Program Site 2024-2025, for our AMP residency at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School and our Create and Connect classes at CMSS.

Testimonial from a Springfield Public School teacher:

“For my students, participating in the Adaptive Music Program has been a unique opportunity to access their environment in ways that are not always open to them in the traditional classroom setting. Our adaptive music teacher brings with her engaging activities that incorporate movement, rhythm, being conscious of our body in space, etc.; which complements elements of teaching that go on in the classroom such as math (counting beats, recognizing patterns in music), or social skills (being aware of our body in space as we move through the room). AMP is a wonderful resource for our classroom.”

CMSS Perform-A-Thon