Singapore’s very own certified music therapists

Music therapy is one of the lesser known professions in Singapore (Leong, September 24, 2002). The earliest documented music therapy session here took place in 1984 (Cheng, 1989). The handful of music therapists working in Singapore were trained in Western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. (Pang, 1993; Ruyters, personal communication, March 13, 2005). Thus, as local practitioners, they may become aware of and begin to examine the cultural applicability of their Western training to the local context. There is limited literature written from the Singaporean perspective in the mental health profession at large. This is even more so for the already small music therapy scene.

Music therapy practice in Singapore is by and large confined to the special education setting (Cheng, 1989; Ruyters-Lim, 1997). National Council of Social Service (NCSS) supported music therapy positions in the six special schools from 2004 to 2006 (NCSS Human Resource, personal communication, January 31, 2005), although due the availability of trained professionals, never were all positions filled at any time. NCSS had given out music therapy scholarships in the past. May Goh-Clulee was one of the scholars. The most recent recipient of this VCF scholarship is Loi Wei Ming, who was awarded in 2006.

Music therapy was identified in a report titled, “Social Services in Singapore” (Wong, 1991), to provide services to the disabled. While not specifically stated, the goal of music therapy seems to be educative, so as to be a viable “alternate work force in many sectors where there is a shortage of labour [sic]” (Wong, 1991, p. 29). Another goal is the integration of individuals with special needs into mainstream society so as to provide a head start for them. The use of music therapy with special needs children seems to be operating mainly within the behavioral model, having specifically targeted goals such as skill acquisition and improved social functioning (Ruyters-Lim, 1997). However at present, music therapy is not recognized as one of the core therapy services by NCSS, unlike occupational therapy, speech-language therapy and physiotherapy.

An important milestone for the local music therapy scene was the formation of the Association for Music Therapy (Singapore) (AMTS) in September 2007. There are currently eleven music therapists working in the local context, all of whom are professional members of AMTS. These include both Singaporeans as well as professionals from Australia and New Zealand. Currently, there are five music therapists, Loi Wei Ming, Jenny Lee, Chen Hsuehlien, David Khlentzos, and Clara Chong who serve the following Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) respectively: Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive School, Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School, Asian Welfare Women’s Association School, Thye Hua Kwan Moral EIPIC Centre, and St. Andrew’s Autism Centre. In addition, Dr. Patsy Tan serves hearing impaired children and various other client populations at Singapore General Hospital’s (SGH). Ng Wang Feng serves at-risk youth at Beyond Social Services and lectures at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Audrey Ruyters is a free lance music therapist serving special needs children. Melanie Kwan serves general medical, pain, dementia, rehabilitation, cancer and hospice patients at KKH, Alexandra Hospital and Dover Park Hospice. Charissa Tan serves at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation. Pamela Fisher works with special needs children at St Clare School and Bubblebee Speech Therapy Centre, and at-risk youth at Children’s Aid Society.

There is no comprehensive music therapy training programme currently available in Singapore. However, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) introduced Singapore’s first music therapy course in November 2006, titled “Introduction to Music Therapy”, taught by the author. It is a two-credit hour elective that offers NAFA music students a mere taste of what music therapy entails. In 2008, a follow-up course focusing on experiential learning and the more practical aspects of music therapy was introduced. Interested students are still advised to pursue professional training abroad. These courses continue to be offered till present. In addition, in November 2007, Melanie Kwan started “Introduction to Music Therapy” at School of Integrated Studies, Lasalle College of the Arts as well as at National Institute of Education (external programming).

To cite this page: Ng, W.F. (2009). Music therapy in Singapore [online]. Singapore’s very own Music Therapists – Singapore Music Therapy. Retrieved date, year, from http://singaporemusictherapy.wordpress.com/music-therapy-in-singapore

References

Cheng, L. S. C. (1989). Music therapy in action: A case study of a brain-damaged teenager. Singapore Journal of Education, 10, 2, 77-85.

Leong, P. Y. (Sept 24, 2002). Tune in! [online]. ST Recruit Online. Retrieved Mar 1, 2005, from http://www.asiaonecareers.com/st_recruit/r20020924.html

Pang, K. P. (1993). Music therapy in Hong Kong. In C. Dileo Maranto, (Ed.), Music therapy: International perspectives (pp. 253-261). Piperville, PA: Jeffrey Books.

Ruyters-Lim, A. (1997). Music therapy. In K. Lyen, E. H. Lee & J. S. Y. Tham-Toh, (Eds.), Rainbow dreams:How to help your child with developmental delay (pp. 266-284). Singapore: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd.

Singapore General Hospital. (n.d.). Arts for health: Inspiring healing experiences [online]. Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http://www.sgh.com.sg/ForPatientsnVisitors/ArtsForHealth/Programmes/MusicTherapy/

Wong, J. (1991). Service directions for voluntary welfare organisations serving the disabled. In M. T. Yap, (Ed.), Social services: The next lap (pp. 22-59). Singapore: Times Academic Press & Institute of Policy Studies.