Alverno College Names Leslie Henry Director of Music Therapy

August 17, 2016

Leslie Henry has been named director of the music therapy program at Alverno College, one of the longest-running music therapy programs in the country. In her new role, Henry will provide leadership in the music therapy program, recruit, retain and advise music therapy students, teach courses, coordinate all clinical internship experiences and collaborate with other community colleges and universities.

Henry brings 22 years of experience as a music therapist to her new role. Before coming to Alverno she worked at the Clement Zablocki Veteran's Health Administration where she provided clinical music therapy onthe Inpatient Acute Behavioral Health Unit. She has also worked for the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Seasons Hospice, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Her work included providing music therapy to children, teens and adult as well as terminally ill patients; designing treatment plans; grant writing; program development; managing staff and budgets; and coordinating volunteers. As a graduate of Alverno's Music Therapy program, Henry has also stayed connected by teaching a course in creative music making and facilitating a seminar for music therapy majors and professional music therapists.

Henry earned her Master of Music with an emphasis in Music Therapy from Colorado State University and her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Alverno College. She holds the designation of a neurologic music therapist - fellow, which is endorsed by the World Federation of Neurologic Rehabilitation, and in 2016 she was awarded “Music Therapist of the Year” by the Wisconsin Chapter for Music Therapy for outstanding clinical skills and community service.

About Music Therapy at Alverno College

Alverno College was a pioneer in music therapy, creating its program in 1948. Graduates of our music therapy program work in a multitude of settings including geriatric, adult and child mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, hospice, medical centers, cognitive and physical disabilities, private practice, public schools, and physical rehabilitation. Alverno College operates an on-campus music therapy clinic where students can apply their skills under the supervision of a certified music therapist while helping meet the needs of community-based clients.

Music therapy uses music within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of clients. Once the strengths and needs of the patient are identified, the music therapist provides treatment that includes creating, singing, moving and listening to music. Music therapists are in high demand, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for all recreational therapists will grow 12% through 2024. Alverno's program boasts a 100% job placement rate for music therapy graduates within three months of graduation.