Berkshire Hills Music Academy


Location: South Hadley, MA
Program Type: Residential, post-secondary
Established: 2001
Age Range: 18-30
Specialties: We use music as a motivator and tool to teach life, independent living, and vocational skills. Music lovers and accomplished musicians may apply.
Website: http://www.berkshirehills.org/
Phone: (413) 540-9720

BHMA is a school for young adults ages 18 to 30 with cognitive and developmental disabilities. We use music as a motivator and tool to teach life, independent living, and vocational skills. We serve young people with various conditions including: Autism spectrum disorder, Blindness, Brain injury, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Learning disabilities, and Williams syndrome.

At Berkshire Hills Music Academy, our students’ passion for music unlocks their talents and helps them to reach their full potential. Whether they are a polished performer or just want to learn to play an instrument, our program will give your child the motivation to learn the necessary skills to become an independent adult while doing something they love.

The skills required to become a musician at any level are transferred to the independent living skills needed to become self-sufficient. The self-efficacy learned in music is also used in cooking, community independence, banking and budgeting, room maintenance, and preparing for vocation.

When our students learn how to perform for a crowd, they gain the self-confidence needed to feel that anything is possible and nothing is out of reach.

Music is the glue that holds our school together; the environment music creates is so profound; our students’ lives are changed forever.

Life Skills are the Key to Independence.

For More Information
Contact The Center for Adaptive Learning at

• Web http://www.berkshirehills.org/
• Phone (413) 540-9720
• Email ktillona@berkshirehills.org