Elizabethtown College student Marina Tague is examining music programs in rural, low-income school districts in northeast Pennsylvania as part of the college’s Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP), according to Elizabethtown College.
Tague, a Music Therapy major, is working with faculty mentor Emily Frantz, Director of Music Therapy, to conduct interviews with local music educators and analyze existing programs. The research, titled “The Benefits of Music-Based Approaches on Belonging and Engagement in Students from Low-Income Households,” aims to identify similarities in program structure and leadership perspectives on student engagement.
Tague hopes her findings will inform the development of a future nonprofit organization providing music education opportunities in underserved areas. She noted that her research has highlighted the positive impact of music programs on students’ social development, including increased self-efficacy and peer connection.
Frantz emphasized the importance of student-led research and expressed gratitude for the SCARP program, which provides opportunities for Etown students to engage in research projects. Tague’s work is intended to advocate for increased student involvement in the arts and ensure equitable access to music education regardless of economic status or district support.
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