From leading international collaborations to mentoring future music therapists, Dr. Suzanne B. Hanser has played a significant role in shaping music therapy globally. As an educator, researcher, and clinician, she has been part of the landscape of music therapy for several decades.1
I first met Dr. Suzanne B. Hanser through the International Association for Music & Medicine (IAMM) when she became president. She invited me to join the organization and appointed me as the Chair of Communications and Outreach, a role I was deeply honored to accept. Over the years, we have worked closely together within IAMM, and I have come to admire her ability to connect people and foster collaboration.
She is not only a skilled editor and writer but also someone who consistently seeks to elevate others rather than place herself in the spotlight. I have learned a lot from her diplomatic approach and capacity to navigate complex and sometimes difficult situations with grace and I am honored to be able to call her a friend.
I am honored to have Dr. Hanser join me for an event on February 11th, 2025 where we will talk about leadership in music therapy. You can learn more about this event and register here.
Educational Background and Early Career
Dr. Hanser reflects on her journey in her book, Integrative Health through Music Therapy, tracing her lifelong connection to music and its therapeutic power. From a young age, she was immersed in piano studies and later expanded her expertise through the Preparatory Program at the Juilliard School, where she trained in composition, theory, harmony, ear training, sight-reading, pedagogy, and the fundamentals of violin, flute, and contemporary dance. Her personal experience with childhood illness and the piano as her best friend during recovery shaped her motivation to explore the healing potential of music.
She officially began her career as a music therapist in 1971 after completing her training at Florida State University. She later earned a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from Columbia University, where she was a Fellow at the Center for the Behavioral Analysis of School Learning, specializing in methods of music-enhanced learning. She further deepened her expertise as a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.2
Clinical Contributions
Dr. Hanser’s clinical work has focused on using music therapy to support individuals with chronic illnesses, pain management needs, and age-related conditions. She has developed interventions for older adults that address cognitive function, emotional well-being, and physical health. Her work integrated music with behavioral and psychological strategies to reduce stress and improve quality of life. She has collaborated with hospitals, hospice programs, and long-term care facilities to expand the role of music therapy in healthcare. Her research and clinical programs have influenced how music therapists design interventions to meet patient needs.
She established the music therapy program at the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, integrating music therapy into cancer care to enhance patient well-being, among other accomplishments.1
Academic and Scholarly Work
As an author, Dr. Hanser has contributed significantly to music therapy literature. You can find an extensive list of her scholarly work on her website, but I would like to quickly introduce some of her books here:
“The New Music Therapist’s Handbook“: This book has been a key resource for music therapists since the 1990s, offering evidence-based methods for effective clinical practice. Now in its third edition, it has been updated to reflect advancements in healthcare and education while aligning with Music Therapy Board Certification competencies and American Music Therapy Association standards.
“Manage Your Stress and Pain Through Music” (co-authored with Dr. Susan Mandel): This book explores how music can enhance your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Drawing on extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Hanser and Dr. Mandel provide evidence-based strategies for using music to manage stress and alleviate pain. The book includes an index, foreword, and introduction, as well as access to audio via Hal Leonard’s MyLibrary system.
“Integrative Health through Music Therapy: Accompanying the Journey from Illness to Wellness”: This book explores the role of music therapy in integrative medicine, highlighting its effectiveness in managing stress, pain, and symptoms, while improving overall quality of life. Drawing on historical practices, Dr. Hanser guides readers through using music to support patients’ healing journeys. It offers practical techniques for music therapists and other practitioners, with clinical examples, preparatory activities, and case studies addressing potential challenges in practice.
“Music for Wellness: Feel the Music, See the Light“: This book shows how music can enhance well-being, whether through listening or creation. Dr. Hanser explores how music affects the mind, body, and spirit, offering practical insights from music therapy. Through original music and personal stories, the reader learns how to use music to manage stress, improve mood, boost creativity, and deepen self-awareness. Topics include alleviating distress, exploring emotions, enhancing resilience, and expanding self-care skills.
Educator
Dr. Hanser founded the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music in 1995 and was chair until 2015. In 1995, Berklee’s Music Therapy Department began in a small basement office with Dr. Hanser as the sole member of the department. Today, it occupies a modern space at 7 Haviland Street, featuring classrooms, a Resource Center,m, a Music and Health Institute and Center for Music Therapy. The department has grown significantly, now with 16 faculty members and a dedicated staff, offering a wide range of outreach, research, and training programs. Nearly 150 students prepare for careers in music therapy, gaining experience in various clinical settings like Harvard Medical School and respected community agencies. Graduates are highly sought after for positions in hospitals, schools, and private practice.
The department is at the forefront of music therapy research and innovation in the music and health innovation studio. It also pioneers technology integration, with initiatives like developing new technologies to increase access to music-based interventions and research into music therapy technologies in healthcare and special education. Berklee’s music therapy program continues to grow and redefine the profession, helping individuals globally and enhancing health through music. 6
Additionally, Dr. Hanser teaches Music Therapy Techniques for Wellness through Berklee Online, as well as the Music for Wellness course on the Coursera and edX platforms. These courses have benefitted thousands of students from all over the world.
Musician
Dr. Hanser is also a pianist and composer, and has created an online Musixploration, known as Michio’s Musings (www.michiosmusings.com). Her recordings include an album, A Contemplation Garden of Music, and with Daniel Kobialka, Labyrinth of Imaging Mirrors. Her chorale composition, You Are a Blessing, was performed by the Zachor Chorale Chamber Ensemble.
Leadership Roles and Professional Affiliations
Throughout her career, Dr. Hanser has held several leadership positions. In Integrative Health Through Music Therapy, she writes, “As President of the National Association for Music Therapy (currently the American Music Therapy Association) from 1992 to 1994 and President of the World Federation of Music Therapy from 2002 to 2005, I dedicated my efforts to advocate for the profession as a science as well as an art,” a statement that could be extended to her work as President of the International Association for Music and Medicine (IAMM). Her leadership in these organizations has music therapy and the use of music for health on national and international levels. Her most recent leadership with IAMM has helped foster greater interdisciplinary dialogue among professionals working and playing at the intersection between music and medicine, sound and health.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Hanser’s contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades, including:
- American Music Therapy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoring her enduring impact on the field.4
- National Research Service Award from the National Institute on Aging: Acknowledging her research excellence.5
- Sage Publications Prize: For her outstanding scholarly work.5
- Named one of “11 Bostonians Changing the World” by The Boston Globe in 2006: Highlighting her innovative contributions to music therapy.5
Conclusion
Dr. Suzanne B. Hanser’s career exemplifies a profound dedication to the advancement of music therapy, blending academic rigor with compassionate clinical practice to enhance the lives of individuals through the power of music. She values learning from diverse healing traditions and cultural practices, recognizing that American music therapy differs from approaches around the world. Through international work, Dr. Hanser has become more spiritual and open to different healing methods, enhancing her cultural competence and personal growth.
Dr. Hanser’s latest book, “Music for Wellness: Feel the Music, See the Light”, incorporates original music by her students and emphasizes music as a tool for wellness. The future of music therapy requires flexibility and openness to change, with practitioners encouraged to grow and respond to the world’s needs rather than adhering to rigid definitions.
For a more in-depth understanding of Dr. Hanser’s perspectives and contributions, you might find the following interviews insightful:
Conversation with A Place To Be
Positive Vibes Magazine: Humans are Music and We Play with our Souls: Exploring the life of Music Therapy with Suzanne Hanser
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC): “Integrating Health Through Music Therapy” by Suzanne Hanser, EdD, MT-BC
Sources
- Berklee College of Music. (n.d.). Suzanne Hanser. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://college.berklee.edu/people/suzanne-hanser
- Hanser, S. B. (2016). Integrative health through music therapy: Accompanying the journey from illness to wellness. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Closer to Truth. (n.d.). Suzanne Hanser. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://closertotruth.com/contributor/suzanne-hanser/
- American Music Therapy Association. (n.d.). AMTA member recognition program. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://www.musictherapy.org/members/awards/
- PositiveVibes Magazine. (2020, November 11). Humans are music and we play with our souls: Exploring the life of music therapy with Suzanne Hanser. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://positivevibesmag.com/2020/11/11/humans-are-music-and-we-play-with-our-souls-exploring-the-life-of-music-therapy-with-suzanne-hanser/
- Berklee College of Music. (2011, Fall). Music therapy moves out of the basement. Berklee Today. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/fall-2011/music-therapy-moves-out-basement
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