Our Milestones

• First Malayan music therapist, Louise Cheng, returned to Singapore in 1963 after completing her studies in music therapy at the University of Kansas, USA[1].

• The first known Singaporean poster presentation by May Clulee^ and Audrey Ruyters-Lim^: “Incorporating Visual Structure into Music Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” at the 10th World Congress of Music Therapy 2002 in Oxford, England.
• Music therapy programme began at Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) School in 2005.
• Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) began offering an elective introductory module in music therapy, taught by Ng Wang Feng^, for Music Diploma students in 2006.
• Music therapy programme began at St. Andrew’s Autism Centre* in 2006.
• The first Singaporean (Tan Xueli^) to be awarded the Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Award in 2006 (largest music therapy research award given out by American Music Therapy Association).

• The first issue of “Music Therapy Times”, the AMTS annual newsletter circulated to the public as part of outreach efforts, was published.

• AMTS became a member of the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT).
• Music therapy programme began at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC).

• The Inaugural Music Therapy & Healthcare symposium “Global Evidence of Efficacy” was held in 2011. Three visiting experts from the USA, Dr Debra Burns, Dr Joanne Loewy, and Dr Deforia Lane presented on the research foundations that form the evidence base of clinical practice. The symposium was hosted by four hospitals (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital).
• Music therapy programme began at Singapore Association for Mental Health*.

• First Medical Music Therapy Day, an annual public awareness campaign in hospitals, hosted at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).
• Music therapy programme began at St. Andrew’s Community Hospital (SACH).

• The first Guided Imagery and Music Training in Asia was held in Singapore - conducted by Dr Denise Grocke, who established the music therapy programme in Australia in 1978, and Carolyn van Dort (Australia).
• The first Singaporean (Dr Tan Xueli^) was appointed Assistant Professor of Music Therapy position (Lesley University, USA).

• AMTS celebrated a decade milestone with more than 30 professional members since its formation.
• The first presentation ‘Music Therapy in Special Education’ to MOE Special Education Branch & Principals of Special Schools on the role of music therapy in special education in 2017. AMTS representatives were Loi Wei Ming, Dawn Chik, Eta Lauw, Calvin Eng.
• Music therapy service began at Institute for Mental Health (IMH) in the Child Guidance Clinic.
• AMTS Supervision Fund was launched to support supervision costs for professional members.
• First textbook of music therapy ‘Cultural Intersections in Music Therapy: Music, Health, and the Person’ to be co-edited by a Singaporean, Dr Tan Xueli^[6].

• AMTS Music Therapy Competencies, AMTS Code of Ethics and Professional Standards became official AMTS documents.
• First Singaporean (May Clulee^) appointed as Assistant Editor of New Zealand Journal of Music Therapy.
• First Singaporean (Dr Tan Xueli^) appointed as i) Associate Editor of Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, ii) Appointed to editorial board of Music Therapy Perspectives, and iii) Appointed to the Advisory Editorial Board of Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy.
• Music therapy 2019 Symposium (Music Therapy in Singapore: Local and International Perspectives). Keynote speakers include Dr Stuart Wood (UK), Prof Annette Whitehead-Pleaux (USA), Dr Tan Xueli^ (Norway), Ng Wang Feng^ (Singapore).

A memorandum of understanding was signed between AMTS and LASALLE College of the Arts on 13 April 2024. This took place during the official launch of the MA Music Therapy programme in LASALLE.