Unlocking Musical Potential Outdoors: Dr. Alan Turry on Neurodiversity and Therapy

Guest Expert Blog: Dr. Alan Turry – Faculty Liaison to Steinhardt's Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy

In recent years, the therapeutic power of music has garnered increasing recognition, especially within the context of music therapy. Dr. Alan Turry, a prominent figure in this field and the Faculty Liaison for Steinhardt's Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy, explores the profound impact that music can have, particularly when experienced in outdoor settings.

In this guest blog, Dr. Turry highlights how engaging with music amidst nature not only enhances the therapeutic benefits but also fosters deeper connections among individuals. By sharing insights from the Nordoff-Robbins approach, he invites us to consider the unique ways in which outdoor music-making can serve as a powerful tool for expression, communication, and personal growth, especially for neurodiverse individuals.

Join us as we delve into the transformative experience of music therapy beyond the walls of a traditional therapy room, where the vibrant sounds of nature intertwine with the innate musicality within us all.

Music Made for the Great Outdoors: The Power of Outdoor Music Therapy for Neurodiverse Communities

This episode explores how music therapy can support neurodiverse people and outlines the benefits of music-making in the great outdoors. We hear from renowned music therapist Dr. Alan Turry and discover how one community has embraced outdoor music as a form of therapy.

Nordoff-Robbins music therapy emerged from the pioneering work of Paul Nordoff, an American composer and pianist, and Clive Robbins, a British special education teacher, in the 1950s and 1960s.

Rooted in the belief that everyone possesses an innate musicality, their approach demonstrated that music-making could reach individuals in ways that words often could not.

They observed that children with diverse learning styles, particularly those who were nonverbal, responded meaningfully to improvised music, forging connections and expressing themselves in ways previously unseen.

Over the decades, Nordoff-Robbins music therapy has expanded globally, offering a framework that values active music-making as a means of communication, self-expression, and personal growth.

Why Sound Quality and Sensory Awareness Matter

The experience of making music can profoundly impact a person’s sense of self and connection to the world.

For some, high-register sounds may bring joy and energy, while for others, lower tones may provide grounding and comfort. Engaging neurodiverse individuals in music-making requires an attuned sensitivity to their unique sensory preferences and ways of processing sound.

The quality of sound matters—music that has aesthetic power, crafted with care and sensitivity, can tap into a person’s core musicality, drawing them into a shared musical experience.

Everyone has the capacity to be moved by music, even if they do not formally play an instrument.

Musicianship is not confined to technical proficiency but rather exists in the ability to engage with and respond to sound.

For this reason, adaptive instruments and tools, such as specially designed mallets or accessible percussive instruments, can be essential in ensuring that everyone has the means to participate effectively in music-making.

Outdoor Music Therapy as a Communal Experience

Beyond the therapy room, music can be a communal experience, with great benefits emerging from playing outdoors and sharing music in public spaces.

Being with the sun in the sky, surrounded by nature, can create a deeply spiritual way of being together. In such settings, music can feel like an extension of the natural world, flowing through time and connecting people in profound ways.

This sense of openness and shared experience can be especially powerful for neurodiverse individuals, offering a nonverbal, immersive way to engage with others.

Music as a Resource for the Neurodiverse Community

More and more, music is being recognized as a tremendous resource within the neurodiverse community.

It provides a space for expression, connection, and empowerment that transcends the limitations of traditional verbal communication.

Dr. Alan Turry’s insights highlight the transformative potential of music therapy—especially when experienced outdoors. Rooted in the Nordoff-Robbins approach, his reflections remind us that everyone possesses innate musicality, and that nature can amplify music’s power to connect, heal, and empower, particularly within neurodiverse communities.