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Cynthia D. Longley, MA, MT-BC, Music Therapist
Cynthia D. Longley, MA, MT-BC, has been working with children with special needs for 10 years using music to engage each child’s strengths and develop their skills. She began as a Kindemusik instructor and then worked for three years with a preschool disabled class in Maplewood/South Orange public schools. While studying for her master’s degree at Montclair State University, she worked with the Demonstration Program, now at the Children’s Center at Montclair State University. There she learned and practiced the philosophies of Dr. Stanley Greenspan and the sensory integration movement. She was an intern with the Jewish Board of Family Services of New York’s Child Development Center, working with the Early Intervention and preschool disabled programs.
Ms. Longley uses an eclectic approach with a developmental basis for therapy. She believes strongly in meeting each child’s needs and strengths at their level and then scaffolding interactions through musical activities. She incorporates sensory and regulatory elements to keep the child calm and engaged throughout the session.
A cellist and teacher, Ms. Longley incorporates the cello into the session when appropriate for various types of activities. As a conductor, she brings music to special needs schools each spring with her youth orchestra, Sinfonia, at the New Jersey Youth Symphony.
Click here to learn about our Music Therapy Group, taught by Cynthia Longley.
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