Music Therapy Graduates First Master's Student

Story by Shaun Baer  |  Photo courtesy of Ellyn Evans

For both a Hugh Hodgson School of Music graduate student and the Music Therapy area, the commencement ceremony in May, 2023 marked significant milestones.

Amanda Martin was the first student at UGA to receive her Master of Music in Music Therapy. “What a privilege to be in the Master’s of Music program at UGA.  Where else but the Hugh Hodgson School of Music could I learn to compose video game scores with Dr. Koh, study classical guitar with a world class player such as Dr. Bolshoy, be awed by Dr. Farley’s expansive knowledge of the Psychology of Music, gain exposure to the library of jazz that is contained within Dr. Valdez, and daily experience the inspiration of working with NICU babies and their families that Dr. Evans so passionately conveys.  To be a part of the culture of excellence contained in the HHSOM will continue to inform my professional practice.  Perhaps the most gratifying component of all, the student body, has given me hope for the future of the Music Therapy profession.”  

This milestone also represents a victory for the Music Therapy area, which had been working on developing this study at the Master’s level for over five years. 

“This program allows music therapists the opportunity to further their education in clinical training to achieve advance competencies in the areas of clinical practice, research, and clinical supervision,” said Ellyn Evans, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy. “UGA is the only in-person program in the state offering this degree with the unique opportunities to receive frequent mentorship from faculty, expand their learning through the diverse certificates across campus, and grow in their research skills at an R1 institution.”

The program continues to grow, with five current graduate students and two teaching assistantships. Applications for 2024 are still open.