KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 13, 2026

Kennesaw State University’s Bailey School of Music, housed within the Geer College of the Arts, has announced a series of curriculum enhancements designed to strengthen academic offerings, expand career pathways and meet rising demands for specialized training in the performing arts.

Music Therapy - Where Art Becomes Care

“I am so thrilled to announce we are launching a Music Therapy program here in the Bailey School of Music. This is an important initiative that will have a long-term impact on our community,” said Dr. Nathan Nabb, Director of the Bailey School of Music. “I am grateful to everyone involved in bringing these proposals forward. We have much to celebrate with these developments.”

Music therapy is an evidence-based healthcare profession in which trained clinicians use music interventions to support client goals across physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains.

“We are excited to bring a new music therapy degree program to the Atlanta area,” said Amber Weldon-Stephens, EdS, LPMT, MT-BC, Music Therapy Department Chair and Internship Director for Fulton County Schools. “Students will learn from practicing music therapy professionals across the lifespan, using their talents to help others thrive. As the program grows, our connections with hospitals, school systems, senior living centers and hospice facilities will open new jobs and opportunities for clients and therapists alike.” 

Music Therapy Concentration Meets Urgent Workforce Needs

Music therapists work in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, behavioral health programs, hospice care, schools, community agencies and private practice, helping individuals and families navigate recovery, development and quality of life through music.

Students pursuing music therapy enter a job market shaped by growing attention to whole-person care, mental health, aging populations, and rehabilitation services. National labor projections show steady demand for therapy-related roles, including an estimated ~1,300 openings per year over the next decade in the broader recreational therapy category. 

Applications are now open for the Music Therapy concentration.

Opera Minor to Support Growing Interest in Vocal Performance

In addition to the Music Therapy concentration, Bailey School of Music is also adding a new Opera Minor, which creates expanded opportunities for students pursuing vocal performance, theatre or interdisciplinary studies. Through coursework and productions, students will gain specialized training in stagecraft, repertoire, language studies, character development and collaborative performance — strengthening KSU’s position as a regional leader in opera education.

A Strategic Step Forward for the Geer College of the Arts

Arthur Liou, Dean of the Geer College of the Arts, praised the Bailey School of Music’s faculty for their vision and collaboration in shaping a stronger academic future. “These changes reflect the evolving demands of the field and position the Bailey School of Music for strategic, long-term growth,” said Liou. “My thanks to Dr. Nabb for his leadership, and to every faculty member whose collaboration made this possible. I look forward to working with everyone in the School to take our collective impact to the next level."

The curriculum updates reinforce the Bailey School of Music’s commitment to innovation, student success and community engagement. By expanding professional pathways in performance, opera and music therapy, the School is creating new opportunities for students while meeting workforce needs in the arts, healthcare and education sectors across Georgia and beyond.