As we enter our 20th year at Roman Music Therapy Services (RMTS), we’re pausing to celebrate the communities we’ve had the privilege of growing alongside. To mark this milestone, we’re sharing stories that reflect the real, human impact of music therapy across Massachusetts.  One of the organizations we are proud to work with is The Community Group, a childcare organization in Lawrence, MA.  

Joy, Curiosity, and a Little Bit of Peace

Staff members at The Community Group consistently speak about the happiness music therapy brings into their centers. Kathleen McDonough, the Manager of Community Building and Employee Relations at The Community Group, describes it this way: “There is such a level of enjoyment, joy, and curiosity.” Students quickly recognize their therapists the moment they enter the classroom, greeting them with visible excitement. That joy, she notes, naturally leads to increased participation and meaningful skill building.

Katherine Averill, Director of Curriculum and Coaching, captures something quieter underneath the energy, expressing that, “There is such a peacefulness in the joy that I think we were all seeking.” Together, staff describe sessions that are not only energetic and engaging but also grounding and calm. 

Relationships Built Quicky, Felt Deeply 

Beyond joy, The Community Group has been deeply impressed by how quickly the RMTS clinicians build genuine relationships with the children they serve.  Kathleen noted, “[The clinicians] are seeing so many children over the two weeks, and they know their names.”  

Staff also speak to the team’s commitment to bilingual engagement. Even clinicians who are not fluent in Spanish make intentional efforts to learn songs and interventions in Spanish, ensuring children feel seen, heard, and included. Katherine adds that the connection extends beyond clinician and child – as Katherine put it, the clinicians “are supporting engagement between the children… they are all engaged together.” Music becomes a shared experience that strengthens peer relationships and builds classroom community. 

Growth That Stays in the Room

The impact of music therapy at The Community Group goes far beyond the session itself. Staff observe meaningful growth in classroom skills such as listening, turn-taking, sharing, and overall confidence. Kathleen also shared how meaningful it is to watch children develop a genuine love of music. As Katherine put it, “They are already beginning to see themselves as musical.”

Teachers and students look forward to each session, often wishing they could have music therapy more often. Staff describe it as a true community-building experience, one that transforms not only student engagement but the overall classroom dynamic. 

What They’d Tell Another Organization

When asked what they would say to another organization considering a partnership with RMTS, staff at The Community Group responded simply, “You will not be disappointed.”  

As Janet Moro, Senior Director of Quality and Operations, shared, “Right from the start we wanted a hands-on approach, and that’s exactly what we’re getting.” Katherine Averill added that she thinks music brings an exuberance and playfulness that can sometimes get lost in busy childcare settings.  

At Roman Music Therapy Services, we deeply value our partnership with The Community Group. We are proud to serve our community and create meaningful impacts through music.  

 

 

 

 

As we enter our 20th year at Roman Music Therapy Services (RMTS), we’re pausing to celebrate the communities we’ve had the privilege of growing alongside. To mark this milestone, we’re sharing stories that reflect the real, human impact of music therapy across Massachusetts.

Cecilia’s & Kristina’s Story

When Cecilia was born in December 2020, the world looked very different. Like many families welcoming a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cecilia’s early months were quiet and isolating – staying home, being cautious, and, for Kristina, navigating what it meant to raise her first newborn during a time of such uncertainty. But even in that isolation, there was one thing Kristina knew she wanted to bring into Cecilia’s life from the very beginning: music.

As a musician herself, music has always been a central part of Kristina’s identity. She understood not only the joy music can bring, but also its deeper impact. “I knew that at an early age, music can be really transformative,” Kristina said. The challenge for her was figuring out how to introduce that experience in a world that had shutdown.

Discovering Music & Community

That’s when she kept seeing the same, familiar name come up: Roman Music Therapy Services. She had previously seen the impact of Roman Music Therapy Servies through a family friend whose son had participated in different programs. “It brought him so much

 joy,” Kristina recalled. “So when I saw the name again, it was kind of a no-brainer.” Soon after, Cecilia was enrolled in her very first Sprouting Melodies class.

Cecilia’s first music therapy session looked a little different than what our families may see today. Masks were still required, and precautions were still high. The world was still adjusting back to a new normal. But even within those limitations, something meaningful began to take shape. Their first music therapist, KT, made a lasting impression. “They were such a bright light,” Kristina said. Despite the physical barriers at the time, the sessions created space for connection through rhythm, movement, and shared musical experiences.

A Saturday Morning Ritual

Over time, Sprouting Melodies became a cornerstone of Cecilia’s early childhood. Week after week, Kristina and Cecilia returned, eventually continuing all the way until Cecilia turned five. What stood out to

 them wasn’t just the music, but the consistency, they joy, and the sense of belonging. “It became my safe space on Saturday mornings,” Kristina shared.

Each class followed a familiar rhythm: sitting together in a circle, singing, moving, and engaging with other families. But just as important were the moments after the class ended. Families stayed. Children played. Parents talked. “It helped me to bond with other families,” Kristina said. “We would sit and chat while the kids played. It became something I really looked forward to.” In a time when connection felt limited, those small, consistent gatherings became deeply meaningful.

More Than Music

Through Sprouting Melodies, Cecilia wasn’t just being introduced to music. She was building relationships, exploring her environment, and growing alongside her peers. And for Kristina, the experience extended beyond Cecilia’s development. It was about community, shared understanding, and finding other parents navigating similar stages of life during an unprecedented time. The connections formed in those classes didn’t end when the sessions did. Many of the families stayed in touch, turning weekly music therapy sessions into lasting friendships. What began as simple music became something so much bigger: a support system.

The Lasting Impact of Music Therapy

As Cecilia grew, so did her journey. By the time she turned five, she had aged out of the Sprouting Melodies program, a natural transition but not an easy one. “I sort of miss it,” Kristina expressed. That feeling speaks to something deeper than just enjoying an activity. It reflects the role the program played during a formative time, not only in Cecilia’s life, but in Kristina as a parent. Sprouting Melodies wasn’t just a class they attended, but it was a place they belonged. 

Cecilia’s story is a reminder that music therapy doesn’t just support development. It creates spaces where connection can thrive. In early childhood, that might look like learning through rhythm and song. For parents, it might mean finding community, support, and shared joy. For families navigating uncertain or isolating times, it can mean everything. As Kristina reflects on their experience, what stands out the most isn’t just the music itself, but rather what it made possible. “It was something we could look forward to every week,” she said. “It gave us connection during a time when that was really hard to find.” 

As Roman Music Therapy Services celebrates 20 years of service, Cecilia’s story highlights the many ways music therapy reaches beyond the session itself. Over the past two decades, Roman Music Therapy Services has created spaces where individuals and families can come together, whether in moments of transition, growth, or uncertainty. For Cecilia and Kristina, that space was found a in a music circle on Saturday mornings. A place where music sparked connection. Where community took root. And where, even during the most isolating times, joy could still be shared. Sometimes the impact of music therapy isn’t just the music. It’s in the relationships, the routines, and the sense of belonging that stay with families long after the final song ends.