LAKEWOOD, Ohio– Studies from the American Music Therapy Association show music is highly beneficial to people with developmental disabilities.

Music can improve socialization, sensory-motor skills, and increased cognitive functioning. That’s the goal behind a music therapy program in Northeast Ohio.

Izzey Pirl is a board-certified music therapist at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  On Tuesdays, she teaches a class called music makers for adults with a range of developmental disabilities.

The class uses music to address non-musical things.

“So that can be anything from communication to addressing behaviors as well as group cohesion and things like that,” says Pearl. 

The class brings people together and allows them to express themselves through music.

“An opportunity for positive social interaction, getting to know each other in a close-knit setting, and getting to create music together and enjoy music together kind of as a team.” 

Izzey says it’s not about being a musician, but what music can do, makes a big difference.

“Getting to see my individuals in music makers come together each week and they start developing inside jokes or one person always grabs this specific scarf because it is his favorite like I love seeing those relationships blossom and turn into something really beautiful,” says Pirl.

She says music therapy can help anyone. 

“If you’re going through a tough time and music is the one thing that you can count on and go to for some relief and positivity then I think music therapy is the perfect thing.”