What is AMTS?
AMTS is the only professional body of music therapy in Singapore
The Association for Music Therapy, Singapore (AMTS) is the sole professional body representing the profession of music therapy in Singapore. AMTS is an organisational member of the World Federation of Music Therapy and an associate member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in Singapore.
The association has three categories of membership, namely 1) professional members, 2) associate members, and 3) student members. Professional membership is open to all certified music therapists who have completed their university-level training programmes in music therapy and maintain up-to-date credentials. Associate membership is open to all certified music therapists who have completed their university-level training programmes in music therapy but are not current in their credentials. Student membership is open to students majoring in music therapy.
All people to have access to quality Music Therapy Services in Singapore.
Leading the national conversations and efforts in progressing the music therapy profession, services, and education through advocacy, professional development, and governance of standards of ethical practice.
Brief history of AMTS
AMTS was formally registered with the Singapore Registry of Societies (UEN T07SS0236E) on 19 September 2007 with 11 founding members. The founding members are Chen Hsueh-Lien, Clara Chong, May Clulee, Pamela Fisher, Melanie Kwan (Secretary), Loi Wei Ming (Treasurer), Ng Wang Feng (President), Daphne Phua, Audrey Ruyters, Patsy Tan, and Tan Xueli
In Singapore, music therapy had its beginnings in special education settings in the 1980s, gradually branching into medical, intermediate and long-term care facilities from 2005 onwards. AMTS has since achieved various milestones as the music therapy profession continues to grow in Singapore. Currently, music therapists can be found working in acute and community hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, senior care centres, hospices, special education schools, and early intervention centres.