Dr. Amy Robertson
The UMKC Conservatory recently was awarded a $1.9 million grant to study the effects of sound in the operating room and how conditions can be improved for better outcomes — all through the music therapy department. Dr. Paul Rudy and this project were covered in the May/June 2022 issue of KC Studio.
Another champion of music therapy at the Conservatory is Dr. Amy Robertson.
Robertson, professor of music therapy at the Conservatory, also brings music into the hospital, using her voice in an arena every bit as intense, energy-charged and overwhelming as the operating room — the NICU, or, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Robertson sings to preemies, and, in doing so, softens and tames the anxiety-filled atmosphere and sets the babies on a smoother course of development. It was during a hospital clinic during her university studies that Robertson was drawn to this type of music intervention — one “huge smile” from an infant and she was hooked.
The youngest babies hear slow, a cappella, lullaby-like songs. At eight weeks touch and rocking are added and soon thereafter a pacifier tuned to the songs to help them feed effectively can be introduced. Treatment for preemies even younger than 28 weeks is being researched.
Babies exposed to this therapy leave the NICU an average of 15 days sooner, with improved respiration and heart function levels, increased weight and decreased brain problems.
No opera singer performs more enthusiastically and with more commitment than Robertson. And none to a more receptive and responsive audience. She’s also a trained and accomplished flute and guitar player.
The NICU is just one of her stages, but an important one.
“The ability to use my gift of music to help others has been a dream,” Robertson said. “It has been an honor and privilege to use music to effect change in so many clients, whether it is supporting neurologic development in preterm infants, improving coping skills in clients diagnosed with cancer, or helping those who have suffered a stroke to speak and walk again.
“I do not take this field, or the impact music can have on individuals of all ages for granted,” she added, “and work to infuse this passion in our students to prepare them for a successful transition into contemporary music therapy practice.”
Robertson grew up in a music-driven family. There was singing and guitar playing with her grandfather, family polka hall nights and dancing to the radio. She studied flute at Oklahoma University and then decided to pursue music therapy, receiving her master’s degree at Florida State University. In 2005, she started the new music therapy program at Florida Hospital in Orlando.
UMKC is one of only three institutions offering specialized training in NICU music therapy; there are 150 current NICU-MT practitioners nationwide. The Conservatory usually has 40 students enrolled in the field. In early 2025 the music therapy program celebrated its 50th anniversary.
