KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 23, 2026

As a child, Kennesaw State University student Laurin McCoy loved music but struggled to understand traditional music notation. While she learned to play the piano by ear, the experience left her saddened that children might never discover or develop their musical talents simply because they were unable to read music. Years later, after performing at major competitions, earning a place in Georgia's Governor's Honors Program for tuba, and founding a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music education, McCoy found an opportunity to help address that challenge through research.

When she learned about SpectrumPlay, an educational tool designed to make music learning more accessible for elementary school students, McCoy immediately knew she wanted to be part of the research project. An honors student in the Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College and a biochemistry major minoring in music, McCoy helped evaluate the tool's effectiveness and gather feedback from teachers using it in classrooms.

“When I saw this project, I knew I had to be part of it,” said McCoy, who participated in the study as a part of KSU’s First-Year Scholars Program. “I remember what it felt like not to understand music notation as a child. I was able to keep going, but it made me really insecure, and I know that experience could discourage a lot of kids.”

Developed by Tiffany Roman, associate professor of instructional technology in the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education and Erin Collins, a KSU doctoral candidate, SpectrumPlay uses color coding and visual supports to make music reading less overwhelming. Instead of immediately introducing traditional sheet music, the tool allows students to begin with colors that correspond to notes and instrument keys before gradually transitioning to standard music notation.

“We designed SpectrumPlay to address an authentic need where musical play is used to support learners with disabilities,” Roman said. “Our hope is that it can become a valuable resource for educators and music therapists across a variety of contexts and age groups, not only in the state of Georgia, but nationally and internationally as well.”

“The goal is to promote access to musical play,” added Collins, a music teacher at Chalker Elementary School and an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology candidate at KSU. “Music is joy, central to human experience, and should be available to all.”

McCoy’s role in the research focused on evaluating the tool through teacher interviews and surveys. The study involved more than 400 students across four elementary schools over a six-week period. McCoy helped gather feedback from educators about how students responded to the program and which features were most effective in supporting student learning and engagement.

Students found the activities engaging and enjoyable while also reporting high levels of empowerment and usefulness. Teachers observed that students were interested in the lessons and felt supported throughout the learning process.

“Students are never isolated or made to feel like they aren't smart enough,” McCoy said. “Everyone can work at their own level, and they get excited to show what they're doing and help each other.”

McCoy presented her research at KSU's Symposium of Student Scholars and hopes to continue working on future improvements to the tool. Her passion for making music more accessible extends beyond the classroom. She is the founder of Laur'n and Friends, a nonprofit organization that helps connect people with musical opportunities and promotes the role music can play in supporting mental health and well-being.

For her, SpectrumPlay is more than an educational innovation. It is an opportunity to help young musicians overcome the same challenges she once faced while advancing a broader mission of using music to build confidence, connection, and well-being.

“I've always wanted to make a difference through music,” McCoy said. “If this tool can help students feel more confident and keep them excited about learning music, that's something really meaningful.”

–     Story by Christin Senior
Photo provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.