Applicant Information

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the Hartvigsen Internship.  Here at Hartvigsen, our mission is to utilize research-based music therapy techniques to help our students maximize their cognitive/academic, motor/sensory-motor, and social/behavioral abilities. Our value statement is:  Through building authentic relationships, students will feel empowered and valued and know their opinions matter.

I love being an Internship Director.  I treasure the opportunity to mentor future music therapists during this formative time of their clinical journey. After serving as a National Roster internship director for 10 years at the Utah State Developmental center, I was recruited to work at Hartvigsen for the 2010 school year. In total, my experience as an internship director spans 24 years and around 50 interns. I capitalize on that experience to organize and scaffold an intern’s journey. I created, and interns refined, an internship checklist which includes daily, weekly, and monthly expectations. All my interns excepting one passed the CBMT Board Exam their first try. I place high priority in helping “my” interns find a job before leaving my internship.    

At Hartvigsen interns grow into their own caseload as a member of a collaborative Related Service Team. As part of the team interns learn a variety of research-based music therapy skills, along with research-based therapy techniques from our colleagues. We serve severely to profoundly exceptional students aging from 5 years to 22 years in age. The music repertoire learned at Hartvigsen is diverse and chosen to support the non-music objectives. Along with group music therapy classes, we typically have two vocal performance groups where the focus is on articulation and performance social skills, and one bell choir. Interns help students perform at the school, and occasionally at community events. Hartvigsen interns work one on one with students for 3 assessments and 1 case study. Each intern leaves with a secure foundation in multiple data collection and reporting techniques, presenting progress for teams and parents, and technology usage. 

I highly encourage you to come “hang” with us for at least a few hours before your actual audition/interview.  The interns who did this said they experienced a lot less anxiety during their interview.  We enjoy showing off our students to visitors.  

For the last two years, my interns have been hired and paid as instructional assistants through Granite School District. The current wage is $18.42 for up to 29 hours a week. I also encourage my interns to apply for scholarships through UAMT, AMTAS, and WRAMTA.  

The application materials can be found on our website below or obtained through email. I view the interview process as an assessment. It helps me know where an incoming intern is in their music therapy process so I can better mentor them when they begin their internship. 

1. Hartvigsen Application: Please complete all questions electronically and then email them back to me. Your letters of recommendation and transcript do not need to be sent together.

2. Clinical and Music Skill Assessment Expectations: This document explains the music skills I will ask you to demonstrate when you come for an interview. At the end, it briefly discusses the clinical session you will lead with your students. Additional information will come after the date and time of your interview are set.

3. Next Year's Calendar (tentative): For your information – look at the top of the form for the Key

4. Hartvigsen Flier & Fact Sheet

Please contact me at anwendel@graniteschools.org to let me know when you can come for your interview. During your time with us, you will lead a group session (that you create and facilitate) and complete the music skill portion of the interview. We are here Monday – Friday 7:40a-2:30p. (M-Th The last session of the day starts at 1:15 pm, 

Please be aware that the internship will be based on the school year August 5, 2024 – May 29, 2025. Due to only having 7 clinical hours per day and the numerous days off for holidays, breaks, and compensatory days, it has been impossible for interns to complete the 1200 clinical hours AMTA requires in a six-month period.  The increased time will allow for better clinical learning and improved service to the students of Hartvigsen.  The total possible clinical hours are 1281.  I also encourage interns to take days off for illness, family vacations, and other annual special events.  Having flexibility in the hours is a benefit.  I have attached the calendar for you to look at.  If we have two successful intern applicants, and the interns are willing, I can cut a month and a week off the schedule.  That means one student starts in August and goes through April; the second starts in October and goes through the last week of May.

I have several interns who would be happy to talk with you about the Hartvigsen Internship from an intern’s perspective.   Please contact me for their emails.

If after submitting an application, you decide not to pursue an internship with me here at Hartvigsen, please let me know as well, so I can effectively facilitate other applicant’s interviews.   Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Alison Wendel Bennett, SCMT, MT-BC    Hartvigsen School - Internship Director      385-646-7069