Introduction to Music Therapy
Autumn edition: October 22 – October 24, 2025 
Spring edition: February 18 – February 20, 2026

For

This introduction is meant for musicians who are interested in expanding their horizon, and is open to anyone with an interest in music therapy and with a willingness to musically engage and explore. The introduction can be taken as continuous professional education (participants can have the introductory course accredited at the ‘Register Vaktherapie’) and is strongly advised for people seriously considering to apply for the Master in Music Therapy at Codarts. It is also open to anyone interested to learn more about music therapy.

Goal

The introductory course  provides professionals with the opportunity to experience music therapy,  explore whether continuing into a Music Therapy Master is desirable and whether a Master’s in Music Therapy can enhance one’s own profession. The participant acquires basic knowledge of music therapeutic methods and receives information about the current professional practice. The introduction provides a first impression of the content of the Master in Music Therapy offered at Codarts, which will start with a new cohort in September 2026. The highly skilled and experienced tutors in this introduction are members of our faculty.

Experiences

Former participants have described the introductory course as: 

“It gives an excellent and complete insight of the profession by professionals”

“the Power of Music”

“A way to achieve a deeper and clear understanding of Music Therapy, which helped to make my choice about starting this Master”

“Intensive, powerful, inspiring and reflective for one’s personal life”.

“The tutors are extremely experienced”

“I really like this experience. I not only learned more about music therapy, but I also learned more about myself and how to be in a group”

How to register

• To register for this introduction, you need to fill out the online registration form.
• The fee is €250. For Codarts alumni the fee is €200. Lunch is not included. Payment instructions will be sent via e-mail once you have registered via the online application form. Participation is only possible if the fee is paid beforehand.
• The maximum number of participants is 15. Final placement will be determined by the order in which registrations are received and will only be definitive once your payment has been received. Participants will be sent notice of received payment.
• After participation of the entire three days a Certificate of Attendance will be handed out. Take note: the certificate is not a qualification to practice, and does not guarantee acceptance into the Master.
• Regarding cancellation: It is possible to receive a full refund up to four weeks before the start of the introduction week. If the cancellation is received less than four weeks before the start, you can only receive a refund if a replacement participant is found by the organisation.

The programme

• Daily workshops are from 09.30-16.30 hours, with a lunch break from 12.30-13.30 hours.
• The introduction will take place at ‘Kruisplein 26, 3012CC, Rotterdam’, which is a 3-minute walk from Rotterdam Central Station.

Day 1: Introduction to music therapy

There will be an introduction about the Master Music Therapy programme. Basic music therapy theory and methods will be discussed and explored. Contemporary approaches and personal music preferences will be explored, discussed and linked to music therapy practice.

Day 2 and 3: Active and Receptive Music Therapy
(order might vary in the final schedule)

First an active music therapy workshop on interactional play will be given. Special focus will be on engagement skills and specific techniques in the application of improvisation in music therapy.                                                                                                            

Also a workshop about key concepts of receptive music therapy will be given. Experiential work will focus on music listening experiences to promote psychological insight, evoke imagery, alter mood, summon memories, assist learning and foster creativity.                                                                          

Improvisationin music therapy and Interactional Play

Further exploration of improvisation in music therapy with a focus on the relationships between play and creativity, and how these arise within music therapy, and our personal and professional identity in relation to the past two days and the music therapy profession. There will be time for discussion and questions concerning the profession/practice and the Master programme.

Pay attention: Please bring your own instrument every day (if portable)!

MT tutors scheduled for October include amongst others (subject to availability):

• Carola van ‘t Hof (Programme leader Master Music Therapy/Tutor Music Therapy theory, skills and methods/Clinical Music Therapist)
• José Pouwels (Tutor Clinical Improvisation/ Internship coordinator/Clinical Music Therapist)
• Kathinka Poismans (Tutor Clinical Improvisation/ Neuro-Musicology)
• Klara Klancnik (Alumna)

The tutorsare faculty members of the Codarts’ Music Therapy Master programme. For details on their biographies, please see our study guide: Codarts Rotterdam: Study programme