Adam Sankowski talks about his experience with the Music Therapy Program at Mass General for Children.



Adam Sankowski

Specialty: Music Therapist, Pediatrics

Education/Training: BA, Music Therapy Certification: MT-BC: Music Therapist, Board Certified

Years in practice: 11 years

Years at MGfC: 2 years

What drew you to your specialty?: I have always loved playing music in every capacity and on every instrument. I started on trumpet in 4th grade, but once I discovered the guitar in 8th grade I quickly focused on that! From the beginning I have always enjoyed the community and social aspects of playing music more than anything else. This stuck with me throughout school where I discovered the beautiful field of music therapy.

Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is connecting with a child during a time when they needed it most, bringing a bit of happiness or joy into a difficult situation.

What you’d like to tell patients/family members about integrative therapies/your specialty: Music therapy is for patients of all ages at MGfC, from an infant to a teenager. If you love listening to music, then you can love to play it too. Music therapy could take the form of reducing anxiety for a young child, providing an opportunity to make a new friend while singing together, or to assist a teenager to express themselves through a song. It’s the job of the music therapist to make playing music a fun and enjoyable process, regardless of any experience. Music therapists carefully adapt and tailor the experience so that anyone can benefit from music’s intrinsic expressive, communicative and healing properties.