Sekyung Jang, PHD

Sekyung Jang, PhD, begins her new role as Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at CCM on Aug. 15, 2026. She will work with college leadership to develop a new program in Music Therapy at CCM in partnership with UC's College of Medicine and the Osher Center for Integrative Health.

Jang is an educator, scholar and music therapist passionate about fostering a culture of learning in which students feel safe to explore new ideas, make mistakes, and freely and respectfully receive and give feedback. Jang’s teaching is characterized by a balanced combination of lectures, experiential learning opportunities, and discussion-based instruction that helps students integrate theory and practice.

She believes professional training should cultivate lifelong learning, critical thinking and reflective practice. Her assignments and class projects emphasize practical issues and problem-solving skills relevant to clinical practice. Jang deeply cares about students’ well-being and mental health, so she incorporates self-care practices and meaningful dialogues into her teaching to support both personal and professional growth. She strives to provide high-quality education that prepares future music therapists to become thoughtful and compassionate leaders in the field.

Jang’s scholarly and clinical work focuses on emotion regulation in older adults, music-based intergenerational programming, theory-based intervention research and music therapy pedagogy. Through her research and clinical practice, she seeks to contribute to the prevention of depression in older adults, reduce ageism in contemporary society, and find best practices in music therapy education. Her work has been published in Journal of Music Therapy, Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, and Geriatrics, Gerontology and Aging and regularly presents at international and national conferences and symposia.

Prior to her appointment at the University of Cincinnati, Jang served as Director of Music Therapy at Radford University, where she oversaw undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs and taught both undergraduate and advanced-level courses including Neurologic Music Therapy and Intergenerational Programming. In addition, she has clinical experience in both South Korea and the United States, working with diverse populations, including older adults in community-based settings, children and adults with developmental delays and emotional and behavioral challenges. As the founder and Director of GongGam Music Psychological Institute, she developed and implemented various music therapy interventions and collaborated with community partners, including the city of Daegu, Maum Duderim Corporation and public schools.

Jang holds a PhD in music education with an emphasis on music therapy from the University of Kansas; MM from Colorado State University; and BA from Utah State University.

PhD in Music Education with an emphasis on Music Therapy: University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, 2017 (Music Therapy)

MM in Music Therapy: Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO, 2008 (Music Therapy)

BA in Music Therapy: Utah State University Logan, UT, 2007 (Music Therapy)

Peer Reviewed Publications

Jang, S.  (2026). Complex intervention framework: A research framework to guide intervention research in music therapy. Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, 18More Information

Anastacio Junior, M.P.A., Jang, S., Zanini, C.R.O., von Simpson, O.R.M.  (2026). A phenomenological analysis of older adults’ lived experience in Music Therapy. Journal of Music Therapy, 63 (1) More Information

Anastacio Junior, M.P.A., Jang, S., Zanini, C.R.O., von Simpson, O.R.M.  (2025). Song-based methods and critical reflection: Experiences of Brazilian older adults in music therapy . Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Aging, 19More Information

Jang, S.  (2024). Andragogy for music therapy education and training: Four conceptualizations to help student music therapists thrive in and outside the classroom. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 24 (2) More Information

Jang, S.  (2022). Video-based Reflective Practice (VRP): A practical methodology for reflective practice in music therapy training and clinical supervision . Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 22 (1) More Information

Jang, S., & Kunde, L.  (2021). A systematic review of music therapy interventions used to address emotional needs of older adults. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 76More Information

Jang, S.  (2021). Developing Music-based Emotion Regulation (MBER): A theoretical model for age-related depression prevention. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 74More Information

Jang, S.  (2020). Intergenerational choir: A qualitative exploration of lived experiences of older adults and student music therapists . Journal of Music Therapy, 57 (4) , 406More Information

Dvorak, A., Hernandez-Ruiz, E., Jang, S., Kim, B., Joseph, M., & Wells, K.  (2017). An emerging theoretical model of music therapy student development. Journal of Music Therapy, 54 (2) More Information

Invited Presentations

Jang, S. (2025. ) Reflective practice and music therapy supervision .Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas (FMU) , Online. Level:International

Jang, S. (2024. ) From a phenomenological study to model development: A research pathway for depression prevention in older persons .Brazilian Union of Music Therapy Association, Online. Level:International

Jang, S. (2021. ) Music therapy approaches for emotion regulation in older adults .Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea. Level:International

Jang, S. (2018. ) Music-based strategies for emotion regulation in older persons .National Association of Korean Music Therapists, Seoul, South Korea. Level:International

Jang, S. (2019. ) What is music therapy? .Integrative Health and Wellness program, Virginia Tech. Level:Department

Paper Presentations

Glover, A. & Jang, S. (2026. ) Exploring Black music therapists’ perceptions on mental health care for Black clients in Music Therapy .Houston, TX. Conference. Level:Regional

Glover A., Jang, S. (2025. ) Perspectives and approaches when working with Black Americans in mental health .Columbus, OH. Conference. Level:Regional

Jang, S., Suh, E., Pfleger, G., Jarrells, R., Wilson, D., & Lee, A. (2023. ) Video-based Reflective Practice: A practical methodology for reflective practice in music therapy training .Vancouver, Canada. Conference. Level:International

Jang, S., & Kunde, L. (2020. ) A systematic review of music interventions used to address emotional needs of older adults .Online. Conference. Level:National

Winter, P., Dimaio, L., & Jang, S. (2020. ) Integral Thinking: A model for music therapy curriculum and implementation .Online. Conference. Level:National

Jang, S., Suh, E., Kunde, L., & Fillippone, A. (2019. ) Video-based reflective practice in music therapy supervision: Perspectives from faculty, supervisors, and students .Minneapolis, MN. Conference. Level:National

Jang, S., Lo, W., Filippone, A., & Kunde, L. (2019. ) Video-based reflective practice: A practical methodology to enhancing self-awareness and developing clinical skills .Reston, VA. Conference. Level:Regional

Jang, S. (2017. ) Music-based Emotion Regulation (MBER): A theoretical model for age-related depression prevention .Saint Louis, MO. Conference. Level:National

Dvorak, A., Hernandez-Ruiz. E., Jang, S., Smith, A.,& Caine, K. (2017. ) Course-based research experience: Building research capacity and infrastructure through education and training .Saint Louis, MO. Conference. Level:National

Dvorak, A., Hernandez-Ruiz, E., Jang, S., Joseph, M., Borin, K., & Wells, K. E. (2015. ) The meaning of music: A qualitative exploration of the experience of music therapy students .Kansas City, MO. Conference. Level:National

Dvorak, A., Hernandez-Ruiz, E., Jang, S., Joseph, M., Borin, K., & Wells, K. E. (2015. ) Engaging students in research: Perspectives from qualitative research studies. .Omaha, NE. Conference. Level:Regional

Dvorak, A., Jang, S., Bachert, E., Bondank, N., Firsick, A., Goldsmith, R., Karrer, L., Koczanowski, K., Nick, H., Nickl, M., Pfeifer, J., Ruther, K., Schroeder, K., Sims, J., Venzian, J., & Zipsie, L. (2015. ) Student engagement in research: Enhancing clinical and professional development .Kansas City, MO. Conference. Level:National

2023 -2024 Scholars Transforming through Research (STR) Selected as one of 41 research teams across the nation and attended the STR program as a faculty mentor. Advocated for undergraduate research before legislative staffs and congregational representatives. Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Status:Recipient Level:National Type:Fellowship

2023 -2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant Summer research grant awarded to this faculty and an undergraduate student for a research project exploring music therapy practices of Black music therapists. Radford University Status:Recipient Level:University

2022 -2023 Highlander Research Rookies Program Selected as Highlander Research Rookies program mentor for an incoming freshman who was awarded Highlander Research Rookie. Radford University Status:Recipient Level:University

2022 -2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant Research grant awarded to this faculty and a group of undergraduate students for a review study about wellness approahces in Music Therapy. Radford University Status:Recipient Level:University

2019 -2020 College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Faculty Research grant Research grant awarded by the CVPA, Radford University, VA. Status:Recipient Level:College

2018 -2019 McGlothlin Travel Grant Travel grant awarded for a presentation at the National Association for Korean Music Therapists symposium, South Korea. Radford University Status:Recipient Level:University

2024 -2025 Elevate Research Faculty Fellow Selected as an Elevate Research Faculty Fellow. Elevate Research focuses on an equity-minded pedagogy for undergraduate research and on elevating historically underrepresented students. This program is funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation. Radford University Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Fellowship

Academic - College Convservatory of Music (CCM)
290 CCM Blvd
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221
jangsy@ucmail.uc.edu