The Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum: Initiatives in Music Education, Performance, and Teacher Education
The Boston Conservatory is deeply committed to making the performing arts and arts education accessible to all. The Conservatory has a long-standing commitment to the population of individuals with ASD, which is evidenced by several programs and initiatives:
At this session, attendees will learn about these programs, their development, their rewards and challenges, the lessons learned along the way, and our plans and hopes for the future. The session will also include a discussion of some of the research that has been conducted on The Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum.
- The Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum, a private musical instrument lessons program, now in its seventh year.
- Autism-Friendly Performances of music, dance, and musical theater productions, now in their second year.
- Hosting an annual two-day conference, Teaching Music to Students on the Autism Spectrum, now in its third year.
- Two new graduate programs, a Master of Music in Music Education with a Concentration in Music and Autism, and a Graduate Certificate in Music and Autism, will begin in summer 2015.
- Preparing to launch a chorus for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families/caregivers, to begin in spring 2016.
- Developing an early childhood music program for young children on the autism spectrum, to begin in fall 2015.
At this session, attendees will learn about these programs, their development, their rewards and challenges, the lessons learned along the way, and our plans and hopes for the future. The session will also include a discussion of some of the research that has been conducted on The Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum.
Handouts/materials/URL links
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-youth-adult
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-young-children
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-conference
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/boston-conservatory-receive-2015-commonwealth-award
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/conservatory-gets-autism-grants
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/music-ed-department-awarded-grants-fund-innovative-programs-children-and-adults-autism-spectrum
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/other-stars-near-fenway
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-youth-adult
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-young-children
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/autism-conference
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/boston-conservatory-receive-2015-commonwealth-award
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/conservatory-gets-autism-grants
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/music-ed-department-awarded-grants-fund-innovative-programs-children-and-adults-autism-spectrum
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/news/other-stars-near-fenway
|
Rhoda Bernard, Ed.D.Director of Professional Education and Enrichment
Chair, Music Education Department The Boston Conservatory |
Rhoda Bernard, Ed.D, is the Director of Professional Education at the Boston Conservatory. She is the Chair of the Music Education Department and the Director of the Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum. Bernard holds an A.B. cum laude in government from Harvard University and a B.M. with academic honors in jazz voice from NEC. She earned both her Masters and Doctorate degrees in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Bernard serves on the editorial boards of Visions of Research in Music Education and Massachusetts Music News. She has presented her research in conferences throughout the U.S. and abroad. Her work has been published in numerous journals. A singer specializing in jazz music and Jewish music in Yiddish and Hebrew, she performs regularly and has recorded two CDs.
