Seemingly since the beginning of time, music has been used as a tool to alter people’s moods and states of mind. Some historians contend that ancient tribesmen used drums at certain rituals and celebrations to put people into trance-like states.

Similarly, today’s sports teams use music to get fans excited about what is happening on the playing field. Another example of music’s might can be found at virtually any church service around the world. Worship music is played at most services because many people believe it helps them to forget about the world and connect with God.
The power of music is no secret.

However, it was only about two decades ago that the idea of using music as a form of therapy really started to catch on.
Kay Huddleston was one of the first to pursue the idea. “I started in 1988,” Huddleston says of her music therapy career.

At the time, Huddleston says the idea of musical medicine was somewhat controversial. However, Huddleston knew first-hand that it was legitimate.


Around the time Huddleston decided to return to school, her friend’s son was diagnosed with Hunter’s Syndrome. The condition stunts skeletal growth, but does not affect the growth of the body’s organs. Because of this, the boy was not expected to live past the age of 2 years old.

However, Huddleston said that thanks to the boy’s music therapy treatments – which made physical therapy seem less like work – he lived to be 13. From that point on, Huddleston knew music therapy was what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.

Today, Huddleston is convinced that music therapy can benefit anyone. “I don’t believe there is a person anywhere that I couldn’t find a way for music therapy to help them,” Huddleston says.


In her time as a therapist, she has seen music help people improve speech, physical movement, behavior, social skills and confidence. Huddleston said music can do something as incredible as bring back memories in Alzheimer’s sufferers or something as simple as help relieve stress.

She also said the therapy is something that can benefit people of all ages. However, she added that it is especially effective in helping young children who may be developing irregularly.

Because of this, Huddleston is setting up group therapy sessions for children with diagnosed or observed developmental deficiencies in Leavenworth County. The groups, which will meet weekly, will be divided by age.
Children aged 18 to 36 months will work on communication, motor, social and impulse control skills. Those between the ages of 3 and 5 years old will focus on school-preparation skills such as listening, paying attention and following directions. The older age groups – ages 5 to 8 and ages 9 to 11 – will work on skills necessary for daily living.

Source: ITAL***The Leavenworth Times***