Communication Explorers
Communication Explorers is an interdisciplinary summer program for children ages 3–6 who are deaf or hard of hearing. The program supports communication, listening, language, early literacy, social-emotional development, and school readiness through individualized and group therapy sessions. Children work with graduate clinicians and faculty from speech-language pathology, audiology, music therapy, and other allied health disciplines in a supportive, play-based environment designed to foster confidence, communication skills, and meaningful social connections.
Combined Efforts Choir
Combined Efforts Choir is a community men’s choir that brings together individuals with and without disabilities through shared musical experiences. The choir promotes artistic expression, social connection, community participation, and access to high-quality performance opportunities for people of all abilities. The group meets on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 in VOX 3357 during the academic year.
For more information, Contact Kirsten Nelson, Music Therapy Assistant Professor of Instruction.
Hawkeye Choir
Hawkeye Choir is an inclusive, non-auditioned, group singing experience at the University of Iowa that brings together students from the Music Therapy, UI REACH, and students from across campus in a supportive, collaborative musical community.
Hawkeye Choir meets weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm, with at least one performance per semester.
ALL students are welcome!
Interdisciplinary Collaborations
Music therapy fosters innovative interdisciplinary partnerships among many UI campus units, including Speech-Language Pathology, Otolaryngology, Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), to enhance clinical care, education, and research. By combining expertise in communication, cognition, motor function, sensory integration, and therapeutic music interventions, faculty and students work together to support individuals across the lifespan with diverse developmental, neurological, and rehabilitative needs. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the University of Iowa’s commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, preparing future healthcare professionals, and promoting holistic, person-centered care through the integration of music, communication, and rehabilitation sciences.
Questions?
Hae Sun Kim
Music Therapy
Iowa Cochlear Implant Team
Music therapists collaborate in the renowned Iowa Cochlear Implant Team to support children and adults as they develop listening, communication, and quality-of-life skills following cochlear implantation. Working alongside speech-language pathologists, audiologists, otolaryngologists, and other rehabilitation specialists, music therapists use evidence-based music interventions to strengthen auditory perception, listening attention, speech understanding, and social engagement.
Music provides a rich and motivating environment for auditory training because it incorporates pitch, rhythm, timing, and emotional meaning. Through individualized and group-based interventions, music therapists help cochlear implant recipients practice sound detection, discrimination, identification, and comprehension while engaging in meaningful musical experiences.
By integrating expertise in hearing, communication, and therapeutic music, the team seeks to optimize outcomes for cochlear implant users and advance innovative approaches to listening and communication rehabilitation across the lifespan.
Questions?
Kate Gfeller, PhD
School of Music, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders