Bridging the Gap: Transitioning to Adulthood 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. 

Sophia’s Music Therapy Journey 

“Romp Bomp A Chomp, Romp Bomp A Chomp, Romp Bomp A Chomp,” Sophia sings as she enters the room for Young Adult Music Therapy Group. One of Sophia’s favorite artists is The Wiggles, and she looks forward to hearing this song every week with her providers, Collin and Sam.

Sophia initially began receiving virtual music therapy services as a teenager, but she and her family desired something in person that would allow her to engage more fully with others through music. That search eventually led them to Roman Music Therapy Services. Sophia now attends Young Adult Group with her peers from her group home, with music therapy being something she looks forward to each week.

Supporting Through Transitions 

Like many individuals with disabilities, turning 22 meant losing access to several support services that had been a part of her life and routine. Sophia’s mom, Linda, described the experience simply: “it’s like falling off a cliff.” For many families, this transition can feel daunting and overwhelming as they search for meaningful activities and supports in adulthood from therapies to day programs. Linda expressed, “Roman Music Therapy Services has been very important in filling those gaps,” adding, “it’s provided my daughter and her peers with a lot of stimulation, fun, and learning.”

For Sophia, music therapy is also an important way to communicate and express herself. Sophia is nonverbal and uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. Linda remarked, “one of the things that I’ve really appreciated about the music therapists are that they have encouraged Sophia to bring her communication device.” Together with Sophia’s therapists and group home staff, they created a music therapy page within her device. This page allows Sophia to actively participate during sessions by including commonly used phrases and choices, such as how she is feeling, movements and instruments, and song choices. The collaboration between Sophia’s therapists and support staff helped to ensure that Sophia could fully engage in the group in a way that was authentic and meaningful to her. “It shows they’re really interested in individualizing her experience,” Linda said. “Even though it’s a group class, they’re still thinking about what will make it special for her.” 

Sophia’s love of music is evident in the sounds and phrases she shares. “They’ve totally gotten on board with the kinds of music Sophia likes,” Linda shared. The music therapists embrace her musical interests and incorporate them into sessions. By meeting Sophia where she is at musically, the music therapists create opportunities for connection, engagement, and joy. 

Impact Beyond the Session

Over time, Linda has noticed that the impact of music therapy extends far beyond the weekly sessions. Sophia often brings pieces of the experience home with her, including tapping her legs rhythmically. At first, Linda wasn’t sure what Sophia was communicating, but then one evening Linda attended a session and saw the group begin with the same leg-tapping activity. “That’s when I realized that’s what she was trying to tell me. She was thinking about music therapy,” Linda said. Moments like this show how meaningful music therapy has become for Sophia and how it continues to stay with her long after the session ends. 

For Linda, knowing that Sophia has this experience brings tremendous peace of mind. As Sophia grows into adulthood and spends more time in her group home community, it matters deeply to Linda that others get to experience the joyful, expressive parts of her personality. “It gives me comfort knowing she has this experience with other people,” Linda shared. “I want her to have a whole world.” Music therapy has become a part of her world. A place where Sophia can connect with peers, explore music she loves, and express herself in ways that feel natural and joyful.

As Roman Music Therapy Services celebrates 20 years of serving the community, stories like Sophia’s highlight the last impact music can have across the lifespan. From childhood through adulthood, music therapy creates opportunities for connection, communication, and shared joy. For Sophia and her family, those opportunities have made all the difference. Through every rhythm, vocalization, and familiar lyric, Sophia continues to find her voice in the music, one “Romp Bomp A Chomp” at a time. 

As we enter our 20th year at Roman Music Therapy Services (RMTS), we are reflecting on the partnerships that have shaped our work across the Massachusetts community. To mark this milestone, we’re sharing stories that reflect the impact of music therapy within the communities we serve. 

Eight Years in Lawrence 

Roman Music Therapy Services has partnered with Lawrence Public Schools since 2017. What began as a commitment to bring music therapy to students in Lawrence has grown into one of our most meaningful and enduring collaborations. For the 2025-2026 school year, RMTS provided services to over 1,200 students every week across the district. 

In January 2026, we conducted a survey to better understand what this work has meant to the people closest to it: the teachers, staff, and students who experience it every week. 

“Music Day is THE BEST Day” 

Reflecting on their experiences with music therapy, 97% of Lawrence School District staff reported being satisfied or very satisfied with RMTS services. But the numbers only tell part of the story. 

When we asked staff to describe the impact of music therapy in their own words, the responses were full of warmth and specificity, reminding us why this work matters. 

“Music Day is THE BEST day here at [our school]. Our music therapist[s] are prepared, joyful, and know each and every child. We ALL look forward to music.” –  Pre-K Staff Member, Lawrence Public Schools 

One Pre-K team summed up the spirit of their school’s music therapy experience in just three words: “School wide JOY.” It’s hard to imagine a better measure of success. 

What Teachers Are Seeing in Their Students 

Beyond the enthusiasm, teachers shared something even more meaningful: tangible changes in their students. Behavioral improvements, increased engagement, and new emotional skills were among the most commonly noted shifts. 

“The students are happy and able to take turns during the group time. This group provides them opportunities to appropriately take turns and also helps with expressing their emotions through music.” – Kindergarten Teacher, Lawrence Public Schools 

Teachers also described students who rarely engage in other parts of the school day becoming visibly present and participatory during music therapy sessions. For children who sometimes struggle to find their footing in a traditional classroom setting, music offers a different kind of entry point – and RMTS clinicians meet them there. 

Staff were particularly appreciative of the care and creativity RMTS clinicians bring to each intervention. Knowing each child by name, arriving prepared, and designing sessions around the real needs of each classroom – these are the details that build trust over time. 

Joy That Travels Beyond the Session 

Perhaps one of the most telling observations came from an elementary school staff member who noticed something simple and beautiful: 

“Our students LOVE music and share that joy throughout the day after each visit.” – Elementary School Staff Member, Lawrence Public Schools 

That’s the kind of ripple effect we hope for: music therapy that doesn’t stay contained in the session room, but moves through the school day, into conversations and interactions, into the way kids carry themselves when the music has ended. 

Twenty Years of This Work 

As RMTS marks 20 years of service, we are grateful for every community that has trusted us with this work, including the students and staff of the Lawrence Public School District. This partnership reflects what we believe music therapy can be at its best: consistent, creative, relational, and genuinely transformative for the people it serves. 

We look forward to many more years of music, growth, and “school wide JOY.”