Sharon R. Boyle, D.H.Sc., LPMT, MT-BC

Sharon R. Boyle, D.H.Sc., LPMT, MT-BC, is an associate professor of Music Therapy and director of Arts in Health at Ohio University. An experienced administrator, educator, music therapy clinician and researcher, Dr. Boyle is an established leader in arts and health. She is an innovative thinker who creates connections and partnerships across disciplines to develop arts-based well-being programs. In addition to book chapters about curricular development, she has written and presented about a range of topics in arts and health, combining her experience in music therapy, arts in health and health sciences. She has extensive experience in varied clinical settings, serving children and adults. An established leader in vocal health and voice skills in music therapy, she co-authored a book titled "Functional Voice Skills for Music Therapists," co-authored a chapter on clinical musicianship [voice skills] in "Music Therapy: An Introduction to the Profession" and has published research articles in "Music Therapy Perspectives" and in the international music therapy journal "Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy." 

She has presented both regionally and nationally on topics such as vocal improvisation, vocal health, music therapy mentorship in higher education, self-care for clinicians, music therapy career transitions and music-based approaches in dementia care. Her dissertation work was an exploration of connection, growth and relationships for mid-life women who sing together, which expanded on her clinical work to begin focusing on importance of the arts within communities for health and well-being. As an invited speaker, Dr. Boyle has presented on topics of arts in health and ways to collaborate across sectors within communities. 

Dr. Boyle is co-creator of Bobcat ArtsCare, a University-wide program based on an arts prescription framework that strives to connect each OHIO student to meaningful arts-based experiences that reduce stress, create social connections, improve mood and support overall mental and physical wellness. As Chair of the Bobcat ArtsCare Advisory Group, Boyle has built partnerships across multiple areas within the University driving strategic development of the program. In addition, she has launched an Arts & Health Collective that brings together faculty from social medicine, interdisciplinary arts, dance, theater, arts in health and music therapy to find ways to magnify research related to arts and health at Ohio University. 

Boyle maintains her board certification credential from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) and is a licensed music therapist in the state of Ohio (LPMT).