Increasing quality of life through music therapy

Amy Kopfmann grew up with a passion for music. Her college major was an easy choice—or so she thought. She attended Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on a high jump scholarship and pursued a degree in music education and opera. Amy soon realized that being a music teacher was not the right path as she didn’t want to grade people on their musical abilities—so she changed her course. During that time, her sister was also diagnosed with brain cancer, so Amy took a hiatus from school to focus on spending time with her family. Her sister ultimately lost her battle with cancer. But, it was during her sister’s treatment and therapy when Amy experienced rst-hand the positive and profound impact that a music therapist could have on those facing serious illness and even death.

Amy’s interest in music began at an early age—participating in musicals, choir, vocal jazz, acapella groups, and band. She plays flute, piccolo, drums, piano, guitar, and ukulele, and is looking forward to learning the cello and harp. Amy was a drum major in her high school marching band—and had the opportunity to learn the art of conducting. Returning to school after her sister’s death, she continued her pursuit of a music therapy degree—attending and graduating from Alverno College with a bachelor’s degree. While attending school, she also worked in her family’s countertop installation business. Fun fact—she assisted with countertop installations in Cedar Community’s Cedar Ridge Homes!

Amy completed the internship portion of her degree in Tampa, Florida, working in end-of-life care. She returned to Wisconsin and learned that Cedar Community was hiring a music therapist. “It was like a magical moment when I was hired,” says Amy. She joined the life enrichment team in July of 2022 and splits her time among hospice, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. She created our hospice music therapy program and has spent time with countless residents and families as they journey toward life end. The impact her hospice work has had on families is truly incredible.

Her job varies from one-on-one visits to group therapy activities and performance. Interactions with residents and patients include therapies such as teaching them to play an instrument, writing songs, vocal cord strengthening, reminiscing through familiar genres, providing emotional support to help people through difficult times, and so much more. “The type of therapies I provide have quite a range, based on each individual’s needs at the time,” says Amy. She is currently working with a resident in independent living plus to record a song he wrote with his brother. “I have a friend who is a music producer and we are going to create his songs.” She is teaching him piano and the basics of music theory helping to understand chord structures.

Each interaction is different and rewarding for Amy. She has worked with a resident increasing the number of spoken words through vocal strengthening exercises, and another on improving their breath support through similar exercises. For those who have trouble relaxing, there are progressive muscle relaxation techniques, rhythmic breathing, music listening, and movement to music. Music also encourages those who may not like to join in an activity to be more social. It helps to ignite a positive mood and lessens the feelings of loneliness—this can also help with pain tolerance. Other therapies Amy utilizes are positive life review, sensory awareness, increased movement, reality orientation, and self-awareness. These therapies assist residents and families grieve appropriately for losses, improve family dynamics, provide emotional support, and encourage active listening. Other activities include instrumental play, learning a new instrument, understanding history about various artists, and singing. Amy also provides group entertainment with songs of the ages, music history, and musical games.

Benefits Of Music Therapy

∙ Positive life review working on reminiscing

∙ Sensory awareness

∙ Increased movement

∙ Decreased tension, stress, anxiety, and depression

∙ Breath control through rhythmic breathing

∙ Reality orientation and self-awareness

∙ Grieving appropriately for losses providing emotional support, active listening, and verbal counseling

∙ Providing alternatives for pain relief and relaxation

∙ Decreasing isolation and facilitating communication and interactions

∙ Increasing involvement, enjoyment, and interest in activities through instrumental play; learning a new instrument; understanding history about different artists; singing; reading musical scores

Working at Cedar Community, Amy feels very blessed. “I am fortunate to be able to work with so many amazing individuals.” Hospice has a special place in her heart, and she appreciates the opportunities to not only work with patients but their families as they transition through end of life. “Sometimes you feel so alone going through a loss and don’t know how to process it. When you’re part of the hospice program, it’s like having a second family and team that will help support you during this time,” says Amy. She speaks from personal experience and knows how important the bereavement process is.

Amy is able to sing not only in English, but also in German, Spanish, French, and Italian. She is currently recording her own album—having written over 20 original songs. Learning to manage her own personal grief, with the loss of her sister, has inspired three poetry books—one on grief, one on love, and one on loss—as well as a book about loss and the domino effect it can have. “People need a variety of outlets to express their grief. I hope to reach others through my music and my books,” says Amy. She has words written down everywhere on Post-it® Notes and hopes to capture them all in one place—someday.

Her talents are endless! Amy has competed as a downhill ski racer since she was eight years old. She went to the Junior Olympics and nationals several years. She has coached three different ski teams—one high school and two clubs. When not skiing on snow, she can be found barefoot skiing on Big Cedar Lake. If that’s not enough, she enjoys painting and CrossFit training, along with taking care of her two-year-old Husky, Archie Winston. “There are a lot of things I want to do and I am trying my best to do them all.”