2016 National Music Therapy Conference Highlights

Happy Veterans Day for our wonderful service member who protect our Freedom. It was an honor serve our country in the Navy for 25 years and now serving seniors living with dementia!

This video is a personal invitation to be invigorated during an energizing presentation Interactive Intergenerational interventions for older adults living with dementia and preschool children. We will be planting seeds and learning how to integrate music for these two generations with a safe, fun and playful environment. Music For Wellness

The presentation occurs at 5 pm in Kalahari G Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center 2016 AMTA Annual Conference … Hope to see you there!!

Awesome day 2016 AMTA Annual Conference meeting cutting edge music therapy researchers and being inspired to continue music therapy research with older adults living with dementia. Picture with Kendra Ray, creative arts PhD candidate at Drexel and published researcher!

Some of tips the research discussed were:

1. Be curious

2. Notice what is happening in your work

3. Own your strengths

4. Build your tribe and team

5. Be patient

6. Acknowledge the fear and do anyway

Love this research acronym:

FINER

Feasibility, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Replicable

Thank you everyone for attending the dynamic Interactive Intergenerational Music Therapy Inventions with older adults and preschool children during AMTA National Conference. We discussed the goals, numerous benefits for both generations, participated in several intervention activities (and adaptation), teamwork of art collection, and discussed tips for setting up an intergenerational music therapy program. If you would like a copy of the PowerPoint, please email: Info@music4wellness.net.

Thank you Deborah Smith Shell and Jennifer Hezoucky for assisting in the energizing presentation. Music For Wellness 2016 AMTA Annual Conference

It was an honor to assist Christine Stevens during her presentation “For Students: Living your Dreams with Music Therapy.” Christine facilitated how to use the 4 elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, and silence) for self care and wellness.

Christine encouraged the students to take risks, be brave, push their range, find your own voice, and have courage. She closed this wonderful session by inviting students to anchor in and make an all intention to take action on one step.

Thank you Christine for sharing your wisdom and experience to inspire students to Live their Dreams! 2016 AMTA Annual Conference

Heard a fabulous concert from Jim Brickman during the 2016 AMTA Annual Conference opening ceremony!!! Thrilled to meet and autograph with Jim Brickman! Music For Wellness

Music and Memory

Attended a very informative course on personalized listening and music therapy by passionate and dedicated Music and Memory work group.

Thank you everyone for providing great insight, resources and tools to recook music and memory opportunities for older adults living with dementia.

Met great music therapy leaders and developed personal action plans during extraordinary Leadership Academy during the AMTA National Conference. Learned the power of strength based leadership and the importance of focusing on our strengths and building diverse teams.

We also viewed Drew Dudley video on every day leadership and the impact of small fundamental acts that can make your life better (lollipop moment). We were encouraged to approach someone each day who demonstrated an act of everyday leadership and give them a lollipop and express gratitude for their impact. My first lollipop went to Meredith R Pizzi for her mentor and leadership for music therapy business owners.

Learned how to “expand music partnerships in healthcare” through establishing and maintaining relationships and connections. Our awesome group discussed and shared potential partnerships in our local area, the benefits, overcoming obstacles, resources. And action steps toward success.

Thank you Dena Register, Kimberly Sena Moore, and Maria Hicks Fay in leading the fabulous and collaborative discussion. Learned lots of new ways to reach out halts care professionals.

Music For Wellness American Music Therapy Association 2016 Conference