“It’s our understanding Ouachita is the first and only university in Arkansas to offer a music therapy course," said Dr. Caroline Taylor, dean of the School of Performing Arts and professor of music, "which means students interested in this field of study have had to go out of state until now. Ouachita is not only creating a new opportunity for our students to explore the music therapy profession, we’re making it available to everyone."

There is no prerequisite for the course; it’s available to students of all classifications, as well. According to Taylor, those enrolled this semester represent a variety of majors including music, nursing, education, counseling, psychology and Christian studies.

Andrew Ghrayeb, a board-certified music therapist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Ark., teaches the course as an adjunct instructor for Ouachita’s Division of Music. Ghrayeb earned a Bachelor of Arts in music industry from Drexel University and a Master of Arts in music therapy from Immaculata University. He joined the staff at ACH in 2014.

“Music therapy uses music to work on non-musical goals including health-related and educational,” he said. ”It’s the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish these goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional.”

Rebecca Danuwar, a junior community & family services and psychology double major from North Little Rock, Ark., is enrolled in Ouachita’s music therapy course.

“One thing I love about Ouachita is you have the opportunity join unplanned experiences. Taking this class was a chance to say yes, to learn about an area of psychology I had no prior knowledge about and broaden my education,” she said. “It's interesting to learn how music therapists assist with healing, calm babies' nervous systems and help trauma survivors acknowledge their feelings.”

Danuwar recalled she was particularly interested in the topic of heartbeat songs, adding, “The music therapist will take a recording of a terminally ill loved one's heart and incorporate it into a song that’s special to the family. It aids in grievance as a memory for the family to hold on to.”

Taylor noted, “Mr. Ghrayeb brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the class as he shares more about career opportunities and the ways music therapy may be used to help in professions that serve people of all ages.”

Coming from a background in piano, saxophone, guitar and audio production, Ghrayeb said, “I was led to music therapy out of a desire to put these skills to use in a way that could help other people.”

For more information about the new music therapy class in the School of Performing Arts at Ouachita, contact Dr. Caroline Taylor at [email protected] or at (870) 245-5139.