Adaptive Music Program
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. In 2023-24, AMP served over 700 learners in 29 schools and adult day programs.
Adaptive Music Program Offerings
- Music instruction designed to include all learners, specifically tailored to the needs of each classroom in partner schools
- Free opens in a new windowCreate & Connect classes at CMSS for children with autism and their caregivers
- opens in a new windowProfessional development workshops for music educators and Special Education teachers
- opens in a new windowResources for teachers, parents, and students
For more information, contact Jessica Corwin, Adaptive Music Program Director: jcorwin@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email
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
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.”