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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Andrea Crimmins

Associate Professor of Music Therapy
School of Music
Office
JH Julian Hall 54
Office Phone
(309) 438-8198office
phone
Email
amcrimm@ilstu.eduemail
  • About
  • Education
  • Research

Biography

Dr. Crimmins began teaching music therapy at Illinois State University in 2009. She received her doctorate in music therapy from the University of Kansas where her main area of study was related to aggression disorders and abnormal psychology. Prior to college teaching, she was a music therapist and treatment team coordinator at a state forensic psychiatric facility. Additionally, she possesses clinical experience working in addiction recovery, hospice, dementia care, and long term residential care serving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Crimmins is active in the profession internationally, nationally, and locally. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Certification Board of Music Therapists.

Current Courses

459.001Application Of Systematic Research Methods To Music

499.003Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

340.001Influence Of Music Upon Behavior

498.002Professional Practice:Music Therapy Clinical Project

Teaching Interests & Areas

Research
Graduate Thesis Advisement
Influence of Music on Behavior
Current Trends in Music Therapy
The Use of Music Therapy in Mental Health

PhD Music Therapy

University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

MM Music Therapy

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

BA Music-Voice

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Other

Kong, S., & Crimmins, A. The effect of music therapy interventions for early adolescents with special needs to improve on-task behaviors.. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (2024)
Lanz, N., & Crimmins, A. Individualized therapeutic composition as a method of improving sleep quality in college students.. ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis (2024)
Fugat, A., & Crimmins, A. The melody of memory: Exploring the effect of music therapy on language and memory recall in adults with Alzheimer’s Disease.. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (2023)
Crimmins, A. How Music Therapy Can Improve Both Physical and Mental Health. Shaun Newell-edited podcast (EDs), I've Got a Feeling. Google Podcasts, Apple Podcast, Amazon, and Spotify (2022)
Norgaard, D., & Crimmins, A. The effectiveness of Lofi Hip-Hop and recorded music versus group drumming and movement interventions with adults with ID/DD and/or ASD.. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses

Presentations

Music Therapy in Dementia Care. Alzheimer's Support Group. Carriage Crossing Assisted Living and Memory Care Unity. (2025)
The Influence of Music on Behavior. Truman State Univeristy Music Therapy Students. Truman State Univeristy. (2022)
The Use of Music for Enhancing Cognition in Older Adults. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Neurologic Communication Disorders and Cognitive Wellness Lab. ISU Communications Disorders Department. (2020)