Dr. Gerry Costa Receives The Aaron Copeland Partnership Award from the New Jersey Association for Music Therapy

Dr. Gerry Costa, Director of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health, recently received The Aaron Copeland Partnership Award from the New Jersey Association for Music Therapy.

This award is given to an individual or individuals who are not music therapists, but support and advocate for the profession of music therapy in New Jersey. Known originally as the Partnerships in Music Therapy Award, it was renamed The Aaron Copeland Partnership Award in memory of a veteran who was an outspoken advocate of music therapy and is presented to individuals who embody his support and advocacy of music therapy.

Aaron Copeland received music therapy services at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in East Orange, New Jersey. He accepted an invitation to attend a Music Therapy Day at the New Jersey State House in Trenton March 26, 1998, where he spoke to legislators about his experiences with music therapy and sang from the Senate chambers floor.

The association appreciates all the support that Dr. Costa has given music therapists in the state of New Jersey.