Using music to foster
joy, learning, and growth
for persons of all
abilities and ages.
joy, learning, and growth
for persons of all
abilities and ages.
Services
- Individual Music Therapy...
...for goals of communication/language, cognition, academics, and behaviors
Individuals with developmental disabilities or TBIs can gain new skills through a personalized, goal-oriented program that may include instrument playing, singing, moving to music, playing musical games, and songwriting.
...for processing trauma, grief, and loss
For these individuals, a trauma-informed approach is used to normalize feelings and provide a creative, safe space to process complex and painful emotions. Activities might include music improvisation to express feelings, music-assisted relaxation, art projects, guided imagery, songwriting, recording projects, and talking about poignant song lyrics.
...for stamina and wellness
Individuals with COPD may engage in a personalized plan of music-assisted breathing exercises and playing accessible wind instruments. For individuals with low muscle-tone, the music therapist can set a customized strength- and balance-building routine to preferred music.
- Adaptive Music Lessons...
...for anyone wanting a supportive, strength-based approach to music learning
Adaptive music lessons are for students with physical limitations or learning disabilities, those with either very active or very shy personalities, or those who have felt turned-off by traditional music lessons in the past. The music therapist is able to adapt music notation, instruments, instructional style, and more to ensure that music IS accessible and enjoyable to each learner.
**Offering Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Voice, Recorder, Flute, and Pan flute.**
- Group Music Therapy...
...for socializing, learning, and making music together.
Group music therapy services are a wonderful way to form relationships with others in a positive, musical environment that has an extra focus on a shared goal area. The goal of music therapy groups could be building social or communication skills, processing grief together, making music with friends in a facilitated, success-oriented environment, and more.
Meet the Therapist
Sierra Norris, PhD, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist and registered Music Together® teacher. In addition to owning Tucson Music Therapy, Sierra is active in the Tucson community as the music therapist at Banner UMC Diamond Children's, the leader of the Tucson Girls' Chorus inclusion choir (Tutti choir), the music specialist at Intermountain Academy for students on the autism spectrum, and the music therapist at the Jewish Community Center's Taglit day program for young adults with disabilities.
She received a doctorate in Music Education with a Cognitive Science minor from the University of Arizona where she researched the attitudes of private music teachers towards students with disabilities. She earned a Master of Music degree in Music Therapy and Flute Performance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute and Bassoon Performance from the University of Arizona, where she graduated summa cum laude and was recognized as the Outstanding Senior of the College of Fine Arts.
As part of her music therapy training, Sierra completed a 1040-hour internship at Bethany Children's Home; while there, she received training and experience in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care. Sierra has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk certification, a playful approach that blends movement, drama, and speech into music instruction. She has years of experience performing and teaching privately. Sierra is a member of the International Society for Music Education, the American Music Therapy Association and the American Orff Schulwerk Association.
She received a doctorate in Music Education with a Cognitive Science minor from the University of Arizona where she researched the attitudes of private music teachers towards students with disabilities. She earned a Master of Music degree in Music Therapy and Flute Performance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute and Bassoon Performance from the University of Arizona, where she graduated summa cum laude and was recognized as the Outstanding Senior of the College of Fine Arts.
As part of her music therapy training, Sierra completed a 1040-hour internship at Bethany Children's Home; while there, she received training and experience in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care. Sierra has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk certification, a playful approach that blends movement, drama, and speech into music instruction. She has years of experience performing and teaching privately. Sierra is a member of the International Society for Music Education, the American Music Therapy Association and the American Orff Schulwerk Association.
