Indra Selvarajah wishes for us to recognize — and utilize — the healing benefits of music.
Fighting Alzheimer’s during his later years, Ronald Reagan frequently reacted to well-known tunes, occasionally joining in by singing or bobbing his foot, as the illness eroded the mental faculties of the 40th U.S. President.
Reagan was not the only one. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords from Arizona managed to recover significant aspects of her walking, speaking, reading, and writing abilities even after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. Doctors employed a mix of therapies incorporating both melody and rhythm from singing techniques to activate the language centers in her brain.
Her recuperation served as another testament to the ability of music to reshape the neural connections in human beings.
Whether famous or common, individuals dealing with illnesses can benefit from music therapy in manners that remain unknown to many but hold potential for healing.
But Indra Selvarajah aims to make sure you understand.
For over three decades, that has been her objective—to journey from her home in Penang to Bangor University in Wales, subsequently to UPM in Serdang, and eventually to Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Following this period, she spent ten remarkable years in Malaysia, consolidating her knowledge and experiences, prior to relocating once more to Singapore’s University of the Arts to pursue fresh collaborative opportunities.
During a two-hour conversation over pistachios and steaming hot tea at her flat in northeastern Singapore, Indra discussed the following:
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She rarely mentions her status as Malaysia’s sole certified music therapist, who earned her PhD from Florida State University. She prefers to highlight that one of her students at UPM, Racheal Yap, is following a comparable path at the same institution in Tallahassee (for more details about Racheal, see below).
Indra then shifts the discussion towards the music therapy initiatives undertaken by his colleagues in Malaysia. Once more, I observe that much of this work has been built upon the groundwork established by him.
For example, she established the Malaysian Music Therapy Association. Moreover, in 2020, she became part of the committee at the World Federation of Music Therapy, marking the first time a Malaysian has been included in this role.
Although these accolades modestly make her feel humbled, what truly holds significance for Indra is the three-dimensional path she has embarked upon since the mid-1990s. This odyssey began with learning about the therapeutic effects of music, progressed to mastering this art form, and culminated in using musical interventions to assist individuals afflicted with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, autism, strokes, and various neurological and cognitive impairments.
While going through those experiences, she created a network of fellow music educators, performers, health care supporters, and caretakers who were always ready via phone or message to offer whatever assistance she required.
They feature prominent figures such as Paul Augustin, who established the Penang Jazz Festival and was once the curator of the Penang House of Music, along with Sara Lew, president of the MPDA—Malaysia Parkinson’s Disease Association—which has significantly improved the lives of numerous individuals dealing with this progressive condition (further details about Sara and the MPDA follow).
Even though numerous volunteers are just a click away on her speed dial, Indria doesn’t take anyone for granted. This is clear from how her eyes fill with tears and her voice trembles whenever she talks about those who journeyed incredible lengths and times to reach out to her—simply hoping she could impact their dear ones’ lives positively.
As a result, Indra is ready to go above and beyond for these patients and their families. In her view, no one is too young or too old for treatment; she has experience caring for premature babies as well as elderly individuals who are nearing the end of their lives.
“From birth to death,” she explains, highlighting the range of age groups she interacts with.
However, there’s another aspect we should be aware of …
And despite its many benefits, music therapy isn’t very effective when used alone. It would be overly simple to think that merely listening to jazz or another type of music all day can entirely heal someone’s condition.
Indra agrees, noting that individuals typically require a mix of therapies.
“Besides music therapy, they may also need physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy,” she notes.
“On top of that, they need to continue with whatever medicine they have been taking and they need overall medical oversight for their condition.”
Research indicates that the “healing” frequently mentioned in music therapy can vary and doesn’t necessarily result in a complete recovery.
Nevertheless, the overall outlook on music therapy suggests that when applied correctly, it has the potential to considerably reduce various symptoms in individuals, improve their motor skills, and offer them emotional support.
Several outstanding case studies have been conducted on war veterans who returned from conflict areas suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. These individuals found ways to convey feelings hard to put into words through activities like composing lyrics, making spontaneous music, and participating in directed auditory experiences. This process helped them achieve serenity and forge bonds within a secure therapeutic environment.
Although it doesn’t completely eliminate their PTSD, music therapy assists them in managing anxiety, enhancing emotional control, dealing with challenges, and progressing.
Studies indicate that autistic children exhibit considerable advancement in communication and social skills via music therapy. Children who do not speak may start to produce sounds or even sing prior to talking. Participating in musical tasks jointly can enhance behaviors like making eye contact, alternating turns, and focusing together—key elements for developing social abilities.
People receiving palliative care also greatly benefit from music therapy because it lessens the pain and anxiety caused by their terminal conditions, offering solace during their last days.
It’s not merely a courtesy but a must-have.
So, why doesn’t the typical person know much about all of this? I questioned Indra.
Her response was straightforward, touching on the basics of music: It was still seen as mere amusement—something “pleasant, yet dispensable.”
“It’s also why musicians often go unappreciated, sometimes being looked down upon and not truly valued because people fail to recognize their evident importance,” she notes.
In music therapy, however, we discuss music as not merely a luxury but a requirement.
Also crucial in this field—but not included in any university contracts—is an unwavering commitment that goes beyond measurable time, compelling individuals to prioritize their tasks over personal interests. While Indra may not explicitly state this, I gather from her continuously developing research, ongoing self-assessment, and the considerable effort she puts into her work that such devotion is essential.
That’s why, after a decade of esteemed work in Malaysia, she departed from her homeland last year, for the third time, to teach at Singapore’s University of the Arts.
For Indra, this step was beneficial for both her profession and her nation. Singapore aims to establish itself as a central location for music therapy in the region. Indra’s proposition was straightforward: Provide me with the chance to work alongside Malaysia, and I will relocate here.
The initial alliance occurred just months after her relocation in late 2024. By March, she extended an invitation to her previous associates from UPM to visit the institution in Singapore for a week-long program focused on evidence-based research and various studies in music therapy, led by Petra Kern, who previously served as the president of the World Federation of Music Therapy. Since then, both universities have continued investigating opportunities for further international collaboration.
Diverse therapeutic methods employed for individuals with special needs at both Singaporean and Malaysian medical facilities have inspired Indra to consider developing a combined approach incorporating the most effective music therapy techniques tailored specifically for these patients.
From Penang to Tallahassee: Crafting a Musical Therapist
The story of Indra, the musical therapist, was nearly nonexistent. When she was just five years old, her piano instructor would frequently hit her fingers with a ruler whenever she erred, causing the young girl to develop an aversion to both the instrument and music altogether.
“At the beginning, we were unsure of the reason, but she wasn’t demonstrating much enthusiasm for practice sessions, and at some stage, I seriously considered stopping her piano classes,” said Indra’s mother Shirley Leong.
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She reminisced as she played the family’s piano one afternoon during my visit to their present home in Bangsar.
However, Father V. Selvarajah, a fisheries department officer in Penang, believed that Indra should be granted additional time. Being an aficionado of classical music, he possessed an extensive vinyl collection featuring renowned Indian musicians.
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) that filled their home with melodies which laid the groundwork for Indra’s early exposure to musical variety.
There was another person who wholeheartedly believed in the young girl: Aunt Lucy, the spouse of Indra’s oldest maternal uncle and a pianist herself.
In time, the piano instructor was substituted by another named Ellen Nora Sinaga — a caring individual who assisted Indra in uncovering her natural aptitude for music.
The piano wonder of the Selvarajah family was subsequently born.
Even so, Indra remained uncertain about committing to a musical career. After completing her schooling, she considered pursuing medicine and specializing in pediatrics—suggesting that helping others had always been important to her. However, once accepted into the music program at Bangor University, the choice became clear.
Upon reaching the campus, Indra found out that the psychology department was next to the music wing. Her natural inclination towards therapeutic practices led her to select psychology as an additional field of study. Although the piano stood as her main focus, she took up percussion too so she could be part of the symphony orchestra at Bangor University.
After earning her Master’s degree in music from abroad, Indra came back to secure a position as a teacher at UPM. This was around the turn of the millennium when the institution was striving to become the leading hub for research in Malaysia. Recognizing this opportunity, Indra saw it as the perfect stage to merge her varied expertise in research methods, group performances, and musical psychology.
As she taught more and interacted more with the people in her community, she gained deeper insights into music’s effect on human behavior and its potential to enhance personal wellness.
During her local engagements, she started connecting with international counterparts and was delighted when members of the World Congress of Education commission, who convened in Brazil in 2004, consented to visit UPM after two years.
It was then that she encountered Alice-Ann Darrow, who was a professor of music therapy at Florida State University.
Over a plate of chicken rice balls in Melaka, the professor asked Indra if she had thought of a Phd in music therapy. A plan for Tallahassee began to form in Indra’s mind. But she was aware of the graduate entrance exam she had to pass and the cost of travel to Florida. To her amazement, the professor agreed to house her and give her access to her library so that Indra would have a place to stay and do research without worry.
As anticipated, she effortlessly aced that test. Soon after, the crucial moment arrived. Would UPM support her for a PhD program in Tallahassee? Delightedly, her dean gave approval.
Upon reaching Florida State, she needed to complete a master’s-level certification in music therapy prior to embarking on her doctoral studies. During those seven years, her daughter was also born.
Home and responsibility beckons
As she completed her time in Tallahassee, Indra received an offer to remain in the United States. Lori Gooding, the founder of the music therapy program at the University of Kentucky, was moving to Florida State to take up a new role and invited Indra to join her as part of her team.
I had the option to sever ties with UPM and repay them since I would be earning in dollars,” explained Indra. “However, I felt a greater sense of duty towards those at home who depended on me. So, I decided against it.
Upon returning to UPM in 2014, she wasted no time applying all that she had learned. Over the past ten years, which were notably transformative for her, she encountered— and herself felt deeply—the struggles of numerous sick children and adults striving to survive in a society frequently lacking compassion and understanding towards their circumstances.
Could you picture how distressing it is for children who see their peers playing at the playground but can’t participate and end up being alone?” she questioned, dabbing her eye. “That’s truly one of the hardest situations a kid could face.
Yet, she is equally grateful for the “angels” in society who strive to improve conditions for those affected.
There are consistently dedicated individuals and non-governmental organizations working tirelessly at the grassroots level, aiming to provide solutions for impacted families. Many of my staunchest supporters and collaborators happen to be medical professionals who recognize the value of my efforts. They play an essential role along with NGOs; without their assistance and the connections they facilitate within their networks, both my students and I would struggle to carry out our initiatives.
Channelling your “inner Gaga”
Several of her standout projects were done alongside her former collaborator and present leader of UPM’s music department, Ang Mei Foong.
A skilled opera performer and soprano who received her training at the University of Melbourne, Mei Foong (
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She collaborated with her advisor, Indra, to complete her PhD research aimed at developing voice-based methodologies that incorporated Western classical vocal training methods along with therapeutic musical interventions for aiding individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Rachael, the second UPM student following Indra to undertake a doctoral degree in music therapy at Florida State University, penned this.“Together We Conquer Parkinson’s”
anthem in 2018 and trained those suffering from the condition to perform.
“Due to the exceptional efforts of Dr. Indra, Dr. Ang, and their team, numerous individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease have regained their voices, able to express themselves confidently,” President Sara of the MPDA shared during our telephone conversation.
Expanding their reach beyond just those affected by Parkinson’s disease, Indra and Mei Foong started including individuals with autism, strokes, and various other medical conditions in their “Hand in Hand” concert series focused on promoting inclusivity.
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aimed at uniting individuals from various racial backgrounds and those with different health conditions.
“The concept was to commemorate various individuals with special needs within our community,” Mei Foong mentioned during a video call.
At this juncture, one of the happiest findings for Indra was a shy teenage girl aged 13 who turned out to be a devoted follower of Lady Gaga.
Lady Gaga is amazing because her music carries this energetic ‘ra-ra ga-ga-ga’ vibe, which works wonderfully when engaging with children who can’t communicate verbally,” Indra reminisced with a chuckle. “That experience truly helped me appreciate Lady Gaga more, as I was able to use her tunes in speech-stimulation activities for those kids.
And it was incredibly enjoyable for that young girl since it was the kind of music she loved, and she had the chance to join the rock band we ended up forming.
To conclude, Indra states that music therapy holds great promise in Malaysia; however, its advancement depends solely on societal acceptance and governmental support.
There is plenty of work available, yet we lack both personnel and backing. Additionally, certain responsibilities are often handed over to the private sector, which means those who cannot pay will be denied these services.