In recognition of her ability to inspire students to achieve excellence, Blythe Lagasse of Colorado State University’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance was recently honored with a CSU Online Innovative Educator Award.
LaGasse is an associate professor of music therapy and the director of CSU’s online music therapy master’s program. She has been a music therapist for more than 15 years, specializing in therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Recent graduate of the online music therapy program, Tina Haynes, nominated LaGasse for the award. She explained that LaGasse is committed to accommodating students who have full-time jobs, and is an advocate of continuing education, encouraging students to pursue additional educational resources outside the program for career development.
Haynes also mentioned that LaGasse maintains the Music Therapy Research Blog, an online publication that provides valuable insights and current research to clinicians.
Committed to student success and engagement
Throughout the program, Haynes was inspired by LaGasse’s level of dedication to her students.
“I was on campus doing an advanced practice class at the same time the wildfires in the Rockies happened right outside Fort Collins,” Haynes said. “Dr. B’s house was in danger, but she did not miss a session with her students. She was with us every day and put us ahead of her own home and belongings. The week after class, her home was destroyed by the fire.”
“She is very brilliant and quite masterful in her field,” Haynes said. “She never gets rattled by or upset over anything, including when her home was endangered by wildfires. She wants to see her students succeed.”
In response to receiving the award, LaGasse said, “I am honored to receive the CSU Online Innovative Educator Award. Teaching online students is a fabulous experience and I enjoy the opportunity to connect with music therapy clinicians around the world. Helping students to make connections from class to their music therapy clinics is especially rewarding. I am proud to teach for CSU and grateful to have the opportunity to work with so many talented professionals.”
More about CSU’s online music therapy program
CSU’s nationally recognized online music therapy program helps licensed practitioners connect with patients, discover important research developments in the field, and apply music therapy techniques in a more systematic, effective way.
Hear both LaGasse and Haynes discuss the program in the videos below.
Blythe LaGasse
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Wu5kcC84Q?rel=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]
Tina Haynes
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJUSx2GLNlw?rel=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]
