Refer a Music Student
Ars Musica welcomes referrals from people and organizations helping children and adults find meaningful opportunities to make and study music.
Parker offers individual instruction in piano, organ, and general musicianship, with particular experience in accessible and adaptive music education for disabled and neurodivergent musicians.
Students do not need a diagnosis, disability documentation, prior musical experience, or a professional referral to study at Ars Musica.
Who Can Refer
Referrals are welcome from:
● Parents, families, and caregivers
● Music teachers and other educators
● Special education professionals
● Music therapists
● Occupational and physical therapists
● Speech-language pathologists
● Disability service providers
● Case managers and support professionals
● Schools and community programs
● Churches and other community organizations
● Current students and families
● Prospective students themselves
A formal referral is never required. This process simply provides another way to connect someone with the studio.
Students Who May Benefit
A referral may be appropriate for someone who:
● Wants to learn piano, organ, or music more broadly
● Has expressed an interest in music but has not found a suitable instructional setting
● Would benefit from individualized pacing or communication
● Uses alternative or augmentative communication
● Has sensory or physical access needs
● Has had difficulty with conventional lesson structures
● Wants to return to music after time away
● Is looking for serious music study in an affirming environment
● Simply wants an opportunity to explore whether music lessons are a good fit
A student does not need to fit one of these descriptions to be referred.
What Happens After a Referral
The referral form provides enough information for Parker to make initial contact and understand why the student is being referred.
From there, the student or family may schedule a free 30-minute consultation. The consultation provides an opportunity to meet, explore musical interests, discuss access or scheduling, ask questions, and determine whether the studio is a good fit.
If the student enrolls, a regular lesson time and appropriate lesson length are selected.
Collaboration
With the permission of the student or family, Parker welcomes useful communication with educators, music therapists, occupational or physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, support professionals, and others who know the student well.
This may include sharing information on communication, positioning, sensory access, assistive technology, successful learning strategies, or other practical considerations to make music study more accessible.
The purpose of collaboration is not to turn a music lesson into clinical treatment. Ars Musica provides music education. Collaboration helps the music teacher understand how a student can best access that education without requiring the student or family to repeatedly solve the same access problems.
Information You Can Share
A referral does not need to include medical or diagnostic information.
Useful information may instead include:
● The student’s musical interests
● Preferred ways of communicating
● Successful learning strategies
● Sensory preferences
● Physical access considerations
● Assistive or adaptive tools already in use
● Interests or activities that help build engagement
● Things that have made previous music experiences successful or difficult
● Anything the student wants a teacher to know before meeting
Share only what is useful and appropriate.
Group and Organizational Programs
Ars Musica also develops group music experiences, demonstrations, workshops, and adaptive music programs for schools, disability organizations, community programs, churches, and other groups.
Programs can be built around the participants and setting rather than requiring an organization to select from a fixed package.
Contact Parker About a Group or Organizational Program
Questions Before Referring?
Referral partners are welcome to contact Ars Musica before making a referral.
A conversation can help determine whether private study, a group experience, another musical opportunity, or a different resource is the most appropriate next step.