An elderly man in the dementia unit once sat quietly with his head lowered. But then, Thaddeus Tukes began playing the iconic love ballad “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,” and a remarkable transformation took place. The man lifted his head, started singing the lyrics, and shared a story about his wife. This incident sparked a profound change in Tukes' life and led him on a new path.

Discover How Music Therapy Brings Healing to the Masses

Early Musical Beginnings

As a child, Tukes was known as “musically precocious.” At just 3 years old, he showed an interest in the piano and began lessons at 5. Simultaneously, he was curious about percussion and would turn Tinker Toys into drumsticks to beat on his sister's Barbie dollhouse. His parents didn't need to encourage him to practice; in fact, they made grades his top priority. If he got A's, he could practice as much as he wanted.By 8, he was enrolled in percussion lessons as part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's scholarship program. It was here that he was drawn to the vibraphone, an instrument similar to the wooden xylophone but made of metal bars that create warm, mellow tones. Inspired by vibraphonists like Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, and Stefon Harris, Tukes studied classical music but found his true passion in jazz.

From Global Performances to Music Therapy

Tukes graduated from Northwestern University in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in jazz piano and vibraphone. He had performed around the world, including at New York City's Carnegie Hall and Chicago's Symphony Center. However, he still had to audition for admission into Illinois State University's music therapy program. His audition went well, and Dr. (Tom) Marko, the director of jazz studies in the School of Music, offered him a role with Illinois State's top jazz ensemble. Marko called Tukes a “musical role model” for younger students, highlighting his established talent.Two years ago, Tukes decided that music was about more than just receiving applause. He Googled how to heal people with music and discovered Illinois State University's music therapy program. Not only did he like what he saw, but the campus was close enough for him to commute, even with his unreliable car.During the pandemic in 2020 and in the wake of George Floyd's murder, Tukes founded the Chicago Freedom Ensemble. A group of local musicians, they started playing at protests and discovered that their music had a calming effect, helping to keep the demonstrations peaceful. Being involved in social justice advocacy was always important to Tukes, and music added to his voice.

Discovering the World of Music Therapy

When Tukes started the music therapy program, he was surprised to learn that it's not just about singing to improve someone's mood. Music therapists are an integral part of the patient care team, working alongside speech, occupational, and physical therapists to assess patients' needs and create treatment plans.His clinical experiences have taken him to nursing homes, schools, and a juvenile detention center. At a nursing home, he worked with a resident to improve leg strength by creating a walking course with musical desk bells. As the resident stepped on each bell, they sang “Do-Re-Mi” to Tukes' guitar. These experiences have changed him, allowing him to hear music in a new way and learn more about himself, music, and the human experience with music.

Looking to the Future

After a six-month clinical internship next spring, Tukes will graduate and take an exam to become board certified. He plans to open an art therapy clinic with his sister, Candace, on the South Side of Chicago near where they grew up. The clinic will offer music and art therapy in a neighborhood with a legacy of trauma and limited resources.“Sometimes there's a reluctance to seek out therapy,” Tukes said. “But people will play music because they're already conditioned to think of it as therapeutic. We can help heal trauma. My life will be so much more rewarding if at the end I can say, ‘Look at all these people who say I helped guide them to their healing.’ That sounds great to me.”And that's exactly what Tukes is all about – using the power of music to bring healing to the masses.Illinois State's School of Music offers one of the top music therapy master's programs in the country and the only one approved in Illinois. The University also has a bachelor's degree program in music therapy. Graduates take the national board certification exam to obtain the Music Therapist-Board Certified credential, which is essential for professional practice.