SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 5, 2023 – Drury University’s Center for Music Therapy and Wellness is making a real difference in the lives of Parkinson’s Disease patients. The Resonate Empowerment Drumming Group, which takes place every Thursday morning in Congregational Hall, uses music as a tool to provide a supportive and fun environment for Parkinson’s patients working to improve their neurological and motor skills.
The group, led by board certified music therapist, Taylor Corcoran, and assisted by Drury University music therapy students, is made up of community members with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers, who come together to make music, sing and play the drums. Dick Smith, who has been living with Parkinson’s Disease for 18 years, is a regular attendee of the music therapy programs at Drury and says, “I just wish that everybody who has Parkinson’s in Springfield would be here. That’s the goal because it helps. You cannot do this alone. It takes a lot of people.”
As the students progress through their curriculum, they become more involved in the class. Logan Garner, a Drury senior and music therapy major, gets to lead the drumming group as part of his clinical work. Garner loves using his passion for music to help people and says, “Music does an incredible job of being an entertaining and motivating medium to provide that space for clients to progress.” He also says it is unique that Drury offers this valuable hands-on experience right on campus.
“Because we have a clinic on campus, we get to have a lot of time with actual music therapists. It’s really cool to be able to work with them one-on-one and get that practical experience of what you’re being taught about in class.”
Nancy Anderson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a few years ago, has seen significant benefits through the program. She says her doctor was surprised by her progress at a recent appointment.
“He expected me to be a lot worse than I was. This is due, I think, to the therapies I am participating in. The drumming and music therapies are a big part of my progress, even down to the support bonds that are formed in these groups.”
The Resonate Empowerment Drumming Group was formed off-campus and moved to Drury in 2021. The program is funded by Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks and is just one example of the programs being offered on campus and around the community by music therapists with Drury’s Center for Music Therapy and Wellness and Drury students. Some other programs focus on mental health, memory care, developmental disabilities and military veterans.
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Additional Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/232slfogaomzhbt/AABeZanF3BQmZNog5tLGct92a?dl=0
Media Contact: Jasmine Cooper, Director of University Communications and Media Relations – (417) 873-7390 or JCooper020@drury.edu.