Music therapy facility opens at Primary Children's


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SALT LAKE CITY — A new addition at Primary Children's Hospital will help bring the benefits of music therapy to sick children.

Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young's Forever Young Foundation partnered with Primary Children's for the foundation's newest initiative, called Sophie's Place. The special music therapy facility will be built in children's hospitals across the country. The first one, at Primary Children's, opened Friday.

Sophie's Place is dedicated to the late Sophie Barton, a promising singer and songwriter from Holladay. She unexpectedly passed away two years ago after spending much of her life inspiring people through music.

Chrissy Sperry's son, Matthew, was born with a congenital heart defect, forcing him to make Primary Children's his second home while going through treatment.

"It is programs like those and additions like these that really show me that the hospital puts the child first and always, just like they claim their motto is," Sperry said.

"He only has positive feelings associated with this hospital," she said of her son. "I think that with all he's been through, that speaks highly of this hospital."

About Sophie's Place
  • Named after 17-year-old singer Sophie Barton
Includes:
  • Recording studio
  • Performance area
  • Practice room
  • A place for music therapists to work with groups or individual patients

Even a few celebrities, like dancer and choreographer Derek Hough, made an appearance at Friday's grand opening.

"Music has been a huge part of my life and has been very therapeutic for me. But for these sick kids, it gives them something to work on and really be inspired," he said.

This is the first music therapy room built inside a U.S. hospital and will serve children suffering from chronic illness or serious injury.

The Forever Young Foundation's website indicates the next Sophie's Place may be built at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif.

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