School-based music therapy, shaped around each student.

From one-on-one sessions to whole-classroom groups, every service is delivered in the student's own school, aligned with their IEP, and built on their strengths.

Start with the basics

What is music therapy in schools?

Lumera brings music therapy to children and young adults enrolled in special education programs across the greater Rochester area. We work with students from preschool through Grade 12 in public, private, and charter schools, as well as early childhood and early intervention programs. We're passionate about music as a therapeutic tool, and about using it to build the skills that matter most to each student's education.

Each music therapist works alongside the student's educational team to identify the areas where added support would help. From there, the therapist either writes goals specific to the scope of music therapy or collaboratively addresses the goals already on the student's IEP or educational plan.

In schools, music therapy is a related service: when it appears on a student's IEP, the district provides it just as it provides speech or occupational therapy. If it's on your child's IEP, or you think it should be, we're glad to walk you through what to expect.

A child's hands and an adult's hands resting together on a drum

Service formats

What can services look like?

Music therapy is woven into a student's educational program in a format that best meets their goals, strengths, and support needs. We offer a variety of service types because growth happens when therapy is student-centered and closely tailored to the individual.

Individual sessions

For students who benefit from highly individualized service

Sessions tailored to one student's IEP goals and unique support needs.

Small groups

For 2–4 students with complementary goals

Targeted group sessions organized around shared skill areas, where peers become part of the therapy itself.

Classroom groups

For whole classrooms

Music therapy integrated into the classroom environment — building whole-class skills while each student's individual goals stay in view.

Consultation

For educational teams

The therapist guides a student's team so therapeutic strategies carry across the whole school day — available per student or district-wide.

Co-treatment

Alongside OT, PT, or speech

Joint sessions delivered with other related service providers, aligning therapies and reducing the session load on the student.

Extended School Year

For eligible students, through summer

Mandated services continue through ESY so students keep their momentum instead of rebuilding it every September.

Not sure which format fits a student or a program?

Ask us — consultations are free

Eligibility evaluations

How does a student become eligible for music therapy?

When a student is referred for a music therapy eligibility evaluation, our evaluation team completes a structured process in coordination with the district's CSE or CPSE. Every step is documented, and the district team is part of the conversation throughout.

  1. File review

    We start with the student's IEP and related district documentation.

  2. Team interviews

    Conversations with the case manager, related service providers, and the extended educational team.

  3. Observations

    In the classroom, during other related services, or in vocational settings where applicable.

  4. One-to-one assessment

    A direct assessment session between the student and the evaluating therapist.

  5. Written report

    Formal findings and recommendations, delivered to the district in writing.

  6. CSE meeting

    We meet with the student, caregivers, and district team to discuss findings and determine eligibility together.

How long does it take? The full process typically spans 30–45 days from referral to CSE meeting.
An open notebook of handwritten session notes with a pen, beside a small hand drum and a mug on a classroom table

In-services & trainings

Can we train your staff, too?

Yes. We deliver professional development for school staff and educators on music therapy, neuroaffirming practice, and IEP integration — practical sessions on what music therapy is, how it connects to classroom goals, and how teams can carry its strategies into the rest of the school day.

Trainings run at whatever scale fits: a single building team, a department, or district-wide staff. Many districts pair a service contract with an annual in-service so new staff always know what the therapy in their building is doing. See how training fits into a district partnership.

Rows of adults seated in a school library workshop, seen from behind, holding tambourines, maracas, and a hand drum, with a guitar neck in the foreground

Tell us about your students!

Whether you're a district exploring a contract or a family with one question about one IEP, the conversation starts the same way.

Start the conversation