The Piano Wizard Project: Developing a Music-Based Lifelong Learning Programme for Older Adults – Melita Belgrave

Τεύχος 6 (1) 2014 – Article 

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The Piano Wizard Project: Developing a Music-Based Lifelong Learning Programme for Older Adults

Melita Belgrave

(pp.12-18)

Abstract

As the ageing population continues to grow there  is an increase in the need for wellness-based music therapy programmes and interventions. Programmatic outcomes such as fostering opportunities for older adults to: 1) learn a new skill, 2) make decisions, 3) structure time through development of musical skills, and 4) socially interact with others should be addressed when developing wellness-based music therapy programmes. This paper shares a music therapist’s development of a wellness-based programme that addresses the above programmatic outcomes while enhancing older adults’ cognitive, psychosocial, and physical functioning.

Keywords

ageing; wellness programmes; music therapy

Biography 

Melita Belgrave received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Michigan State University. She also earned her master’s in music therapy, a certification in ageing studies, and a PhD in music education with an emphasis in music therapy at Florida State University. She has worked as a music therapist in special education, mental health, rehabilitation, hospice, geriatric, and intergenerational settings. Her research interests are music therapy with older adults, wellness and intergenerational settings. She has presented at regional, national, and international conferences and her research has been published in national and international journals.

Email: belgravem@umkc.edu