Music Therapy

Swallow Hill’s Music Therapy programming is facilitated by Board Certified Music Therapists, who use evidence-based music programming and interventions at Swallow Hill and across Denver to support specific physical, emotional, cognitive or social needs.

sign up for a program

Swallow Hill’s music therapists use music as the tool to help improve people’s lives. We take pride in meeting the needs of a wide variety of individuals who want to learn and experience music including (but not limited to):

  • Individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
  • Adults living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Individuals dealing with Trauma or Mental Health issues

What Is Music Therapy?

As defined by the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is “…an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.” Music therapy is administered by trained professionals who have been educated at an approved music therapy program and nationally certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT). Music therapists possess musical, clinical, therapeutic, and professional skills.

Music Therapy Programs

at Swallow Hill & in Denver

Music therapist Amy Sweetin of Swallow Hill Music teaches an individual music therapy session at Brent's Place in Denver - Amy is a white woman with light brown hair wearing a blue shirt and a yellow scarf, and is smiling as she leans over an electronic keyboard played by a child with buzzed hair and a pink shirt who is looking down at the keyboard.

Private Sessions

Private Sessions are individualized and cater to each client’s wants and needs. These can include movement, singing, instrument playing and/or songwriting. During the first few sessions, our therapists will work with the student or caretaker to develop an appropriate plan to work toward.

Tuition Assistance is available for private Music Therapy sessions – learn more here.

schedule a private lesson
An older black woman playing a ukulele and wearing a hat looks at the camera and smiles during Musical Memories, a group music therapy session at Swallow Hill Music in Denver - two women also playing ukuleles and looking at music stands are to her left and right.

Musical Memories

Join one of our Music Therapists to sing and reminisce together in this free one hour program. In partnership with the Colorado Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, Musical Memories is for individuals experiencing memory loss and their families and caregivers. We’ll utilize music to increase overall brain functioning and encourage emotional awareness.

Musical Memories takes place the 1st Friday of every month, 10-11 am MT.

register for free here
During a group music therapy session at Swallow Hill Music in Denver, music therapist Kristen McSorley sits and plays an acoustic guitar while looking to her right and smiling - she has a TV behind her and several drums at her feet. To her left, a program participant and her caretaker are seated. THe participant raises her hands with a drum in front of her while the caretaker claps while wearing a mask.

Musical Pathways

These free drop-in classes with one of our Music Therapists are designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Music can help build new friendships, evoke joy and regulate the nervous system, strengthen neural pathways, as well as support physical movement. 

Musical Pathways takes place the 1st Friday of every month from 11 am – 12 pm MT.

register for free here

Meet our Music Therapists

A headshot of Kristen McSorley, one of the music therapists at Swallow Hill Music - Kristen is a white woman with brown shoulder-length hair and black glasses, wearing a black shirt and smiling into the camera with green foliage behind her.

Kristen McSorley

Kristen received her Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University which emphasized culturally responsive approaches to music therapy. Practicing since 2014, she has worked with clients of all ages and abilities, from infants in neonatal intensive care to elders in hospice.

Her clinical interests and expertise include: mental health, neurodivergent children and adults, intellectual & developmental disabilities, children and teens, medical, survivors of trauma, and wellness. She has additional training in early childhood music therapy, drum circle facilitation, and guided imagery and music. 

Individual Therapy Sessions

If you, or someone in your life could benefit from individual Music Therapy sessions, feel free to schedule a time slot in our online course registration system with the button below.

Tuition Assistance is available for private Music Therapy sessions – learn more here.

schedule a private session

Partner Organizations

In addition to private sessions, Swallows Hill works with many partners to provide onsite programming including Developmental Pathways, Rocky Mountain Region VA Medical Center, the Alzheimer’s Association and various memory care centers.

Please contact us at info@swallowhillmusic.org for more information.