Apple Country Music Together will work with you to help you find a class, teacher, or program for individuals or groups
with special needs. Some of our teachers can provide these services on a limited basis,
and there are other area programs and facilities that we can point out to you so that you can find something suited to your needs.
We are also honored to recommend Board-Certified Music Therapist Jennifer Lentz,
who has worked at Apple Country Music Together as a teacher.
Please contact Jennifer or Michelle directly with questions about Special Needs Classes.

Jennifer Lentz: [email protected]

Michelle Tate: [email protected], 508-944-4360

Jennifer Lentz, Board-Certified Music Therapist

My name is Jennifer Lentz, and I have been a Board-Certified Music Therapist for almost 20 years.

Inspired by my sister with Down syndrome to help others who learn differently, I have a passion for facilitating private piano or voice lessons as well as 1:1, small group, or large group music therapy sessions. In these, an individualized plan is created for each client, with the philosophy that each session will be so much fun the client doesn’t realize how much work (on non-musical/musical goals and objectives) is getting done. Each session, I meet each client where he/she/they are at regarding energy level, interest level, and mood, even in a group setting.

Currently, I am contracted by Northbridge Public Schools to work with individual clients, and I provide programmatic music therapy classes for the Integrated Pre-K classes in Grafton Public Schools. I lead a monthly virtual sing along class for Open Sky Northbridge, MA for adults with special needs and facilitate music therapy for the Hopkinton Memory Café each year.

In the past, I provided music therapy at the residential program the Ledges in Milford, MA and provided music enrichment in Hopkinton Center for the the Arts for young adults with special needs attending the day program at the Michael Lisnow Respite Center. Before the pandemic, I also facilitated music classes for all ages at Silver Spruce Montessori School in Grafton, MA.

I’m a classically trained soprano and have sung in many special services, in particular weddings and funerals. During my childhood and young adulthood, I was in two dozen music theater productions, and I helped direct music theater for children. Each summer, I lead the music crew for the Westborough Ecumenical Vacation Bible School. At the church of which I am a member, I enjoy playing tone chimes/hand bells, singing, directing children in sharing songs, and teaching Sunday School classes. In addition, it is an honor to be in my ninth year of serving as a Girl Scout Leader for Grafton, for which I am a member of the Service Unit and have been the song leader for our bridging ceremonies, powderpuff derbies, and winter caroling.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA, the state from which I am from originally. I moved to MA in 2003, and it has been a privilege to deliver music therapy services to people of all ages from a variety of populations, including but not limited to the following: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down syndrome, developmental delays, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, multiple & complex disabilities, cognitive, communicative, and learning disorders, speech or language impairments, Traumatic brain injury, physical disabilities, visual impairments, and Alzheimer’s/dementia. As a former Music Together^® teacher, I feel comfortable facilitating classes for babies and intergenerational groups. I have a little bit of experience with delivering services as part of an IEP and/or Early Intervention team too. Please do not hesitate to ask if you would like to know more details about any of my clinical or music experiences.

Testimonials - Jennifer Lentz

Jen Lentz has exceeded our expectations for monthly music enrichment for our integrated preschool classes at North Grafton Elementary School!
"Music Jen's" sessions are so engaging!  She makes sincere connections with each child, with integrated classes that range from young 3 year olds to off-to-kindergarten 5 year olds, and typically developing children to those with moderate and significant special needs.  
Jen incorporates the teaching of musical concepts creatively and through musical play, with instruments, puppets, balls, and parachute-like teamwork. She skillfully incorporates our monthly thematic units and highlights our current curriculum focus during each session, including specific math skills, vocabulary, and social/emotional targets.  What a great partnership and true enrichment for our preschoolers!
Jennifer's background as a Board Certified Music Therapist has been so impactful for our preschoolers!  Her use of visuals, careful pacing, predictable routines, proper wait time for responses, welcoming of children’s AAC device use, accommodations for movement activities, and patience when behavior challenges occur.  Another example of her impactful practice is her use of an expandable (Hoberman’s Sphere) ball, which is used to pair as a visual for deep relaxation breaths and a melodic song.  Classroom staff utilize this strategy often (beyond Ms. Jen’s music class) to assist a whole group of excited children to feel more calm or for anxious children needing a strategy.  One of her preschool fans so often asks for Music Jen’s “take a deep breath in” song and ball when feeling anxious and visiting the calming corner/nook.  How wonderful that her monthly visits make such a difference for our preschoolers in their daily lives!

Jen Lentz (Music Jen) has been a wonderful addition to our preschool enrichment program. She provides engaging, interactive, age appropriate music classes that are centered around our preschool curriculum. Our time with Ms. Jen flies by each month, and the students are always wanting her to stay longer.

We have had the pleasure of working with Jen now for over a year. Jen is professional, kind, compassionate and just overall a beautiful person who goes above and beyond for her students.  She takes the time and interest to listen to each of her clients needs and develops a beautiful lesson plan based on what she thinks they would like. It is the highlight of my daughter's week when she has the opportunity to have a lesson with Jen! My husband and I also enjoy listening to their sessions as Jen’s voice is so beautiful. We feel beyond blessed to have her in our lives and and cannot “sing” her praises highly enough!
Sincerely, 

Our son has been attending Music Therapy lessons with Instructor Jen Lentz for almost a year now. She is a fantastic teacher who always brings positive energy, patience, and fun to each lesson. Even with having lessons via Zoom, our son is able to remain engaged and has been following along well. Ms. Lentz’s agile approach is working really well for our son. He is starting to speak in sentences with the first prompt — which is amazing!
- Seelan
 

We love Miss Jen! My son Noah, 21, has been going to Jen’s music therapy for over six years once a week. When she moved from Speech and Language Specialties in Shrewsbury to private lessons, we were happy to move with her! Noah has autism and is mostly nonverbal, but loves music, so we thought music therapy would be a great way to help him improve and encourage speech. He has really enjoyed his music sessions and has increased his participation, repertoire of sounds and appreciation for music. Jen is so patient and enthusiastic  - her love of music and teaching is infectious.  She is able to adjust the sessions to accommodate Noah’s moods and tolerance on any given day, so that he gets the most out of his time.  Every week Noah asks for Miss Jen and looks forward to his music classes. I can’t say enough about her wonderful personality and professionalism. It is rare to find someone so qualified, friendly, encouraging and committed to bringing out the best in her students. I am happy to recommend Jen to anyone seeking a music therapist.

- Valerie F.

My 4 year old son has had the privilege of participating with Miss Jen in a weekly music therapy class for the past few months and his progress has been remarkable. Jen has been invaluable to us with her warm and welcoming demeanor and through her musical expertise in providing a safe and accomodating space for my child to explore a wide variety of instruments, learn songs and rhythm, gain fine motor and social skills, and enjoy and learn about himself through musical expression. Jen is consistently patient and kind and allows my son's interest and abilities to take the lead on his learning each week, while fostering and advancing his progress appropriately. I have found that music exploration and play has been a constant for him at home now, and what he is learning in class is providing him with an outlet for processing his bigger emotions in a truly positive way.  Music Therapy with Jen has been an incredible blessing for us, and we are so grateful to be on the receiving end of her musical talent, joyful and encouraging personality, and wonderful expertise in teaching little ones!

 - Joanna H.

- Paula P.

My daughter has had the great privilege of working with Jen since she was in elementary school, (she is 26 now). Jen is an extremely talented, compassionate and loving person, and a skilled music  therapist.  Jen has always encouraged my daughter to step out of her comfort zone with music and has allowed her to increase her skills and confidence with her singing. I feel so blessed to have Jen on my daughter’s development “team” and am grateful for all the meaningful support she has given my daughter over these past many years.  
- Jean P.

- Suzanne M.

Jen Lentz provides music therapy for my son, and it has been amazing. He looks forward to every visit and absolutely loves his sessions. Jen’s kindness and warmth are evident the moment she walks through the door. Her genuine caring for those she works with, and her love of music is very apparent.  As a result, her sessions are incredibly dynamic and effective. My son is using skills he didn’t’ t even know he had and learning new ones. It has increased his self-esteem and reduced his anxiety. Jen brings a positive energy and many great ideas to encourage skill building and help her clients overcome obstacles.  

Jen is gifted with many musical talents and a warm, calming demeanor. Her ability to observe the subtle nuances of nonverbal communication builds trust and rapport that is refreshing. With Jen there are no barriers to engagement and success.  She listens and observes with great compassion and a high degree of emotional intelligence.  She is authentic and invested in the success of her clients. I highly recommend Jen for music therapy.

- Theresa P.
 

Every week I drive from Boston to North Grafton to attend, with my now 8-month old grandson, the joyous music class Ms. Jen leads for babies, toddlers and young children. She captivates the children with her warmth, her constantly changing music and movement activities, her spontaneity and planfulness! The abilities of the participating children are dramatically different, yet she is able to engage all with learning to play instruments, learning keys, lyrics, and rhythm. Hard to tell who is having more fun, the kids or the adults! My little one is mesmerized throughout the whole 45 minutes! Quite amazing!

- Dr. Lucy Aptekar, Founding Partner, Art Collaborations Worldwide
 

My son has attended the Music Together program at Jack's Guitar Garage in North Grafton since it began last year. We love being in Ms. Jen's class - she is such a warm and loving person, and exudes that in her classes.  She makes all children feel welcome.  Ms. Jen takes the time during each class to connect with each child one-on-one whether it be dancing, singing, or showing them how to use the instruments during free play.  Thanks Ms. Jen for making our Music Together class so fun for Brady!

 - Jackie, Brady's Mom

Regarding my son, words are harder for him to communicate. This music soothes him and calms him, is his means of communication, and completes him.    

Jennifer Lentz taught Music Together for Apple Country in the past, and had a vibrant following. I highly recommend Jennifer for your special needs musicans. Jennifer is very skilled, extremely compassionate, and takes each child's interests and abilities into consideration.
- Michelle Tate
Director, Apple Country Music Together