Tuned in to Learning was founded in 2004 by Jeremy Jensen, MM, MT-BC and Michelle Lazar, MA, MT-BC. As directors of San Diego-based Coast Music Therapy, Michelle & Jeremy along with their team of therapists specialize in training special education staff and families in using music as an effective learning tool.

In working with a wide range of classrooms over the past 10 years, it became clear that typical children’s music was not often appropriate for the learning styles of children with special needs. Concepts in these songs were too abstract, lyrics were fast-paced and complex, and children only had a few seconds to respond to instructions presented in the song.

In order to help fill this need, the Coast Music Therapy staff began to develop educational songs that addressed common IEP goals with simplified language and extended response time. Each song was field-tested directly in the educational setting to gain further feedback from teachers, therapists, and parents who used the program regularly with their students. Visual supports were also designed to match the same types of cues students had access to in the school setting such as flashcards, simplified worksheets, large print text, and real life photographs.

Out of these beginnings, Tuned in to Learning blossomed into a comprehensive curriculum that is utilized today in school districts, therapy clinics, and home programs nationwide.