the

Muse
www.musictherapynewengland.org

Spring/Summer 2011 Newsletter

Post Regional Conference Edition

Eve Montague president@newenglandmusictherapy.org

Myideaisthatthereismusicintheair,musicallaround us;theworldisfullofit,andyousimplytakeasmuchas yourequire.~EdwardElgar

Presidents Message

WHATSINSIDE

PresidentsMessage
/Cover,pgs.3&4

NERBoard&Officers

/insidecover

VicePresidentsReport
/pg.4

WelcometoNERsspring/summereditionofTheMuse.Itiswith great honor, and admittedly some anxiety, that I assume the reigns of President of our region. Caryl Beth Thomas, as you know, is a very tough act to follow. Her presence, professionalism,andpassionforourorganizationandformusic therapy,servesasanexceptionalexampleformeasIsettleinto thisnewrole.IwanttothankCarylBethforallherworkonour behalf and am thankful that her involvement with NER continues.Ihaveservedontheboardforanumberofyearsas Secretary and most recently Presidentelect. I have also been the committee representative for the Association Internship ApprovalCommittee(AIAC).Ihavehadtheprivilegeofworking with so many dedicated and experienced professionals and am ready to assume the leadership of our wonderful region. I will use the wisdom and counsel of those who came before, and of thosewhocontributenow,tostrengthenanddevelopourregion aswepursuetheworkwedo.

PastPresidentsReport /pgs.5&6 StandardsofClinicalPractice

/pg.7

PresidentialAchievement Awards/pgs.8&9

NewBoardMembers/pg.10

Membership/pg.10 NERAMTAS/pg.11

SpecialKudos/pg.12

Research/pg.12

(Continued,page3)

Saturday,October15th,2011LesleyUniversity =ATTNTeachers&Mentors= YourguidancehelpsmakePassagesaSuccess!

12thAnnualPASSAGESConference

CONFERENCES2011 AMTANational

Passages12thAnnual

Officers,AssemblyDelegatesandStandingCommitteeMembers
TheNERAMTAcontinuestohaveastrongbaseofindividualswillingtoservetheregion. AMTAexpressesgratitudetoallthosewhohaveservedandcontinuetoserveinnewcapacities.

EXECUTIVEBOARDofNER
President EveMontague,MSM,MTBC
president@newenglandmusictherapy.org

CommitteeRepresentatives
AcademicProgramApproval LisaSummer,PhD,LMHC,MTBC AffiliateRelations ShannaClark,MA,LMHC,MTBC AssociationInternshipApproval EveMontague,MSM,MTBC TechnologyCommittee CassandraMulcahy,MTBC ContinuingEducation JulieAndring,MSA,MTBC Employment&PublicRelations AmyHemenway,MTBC GovernmentRelations StephanieClark,MTBC,CCLS InternationalRelations JodiLevine,MA,MTBC JudicialReviewBoard NancySkaliotis,MA,CMT Membership JenniferSokira,MMT,LCAT,MTBC Professional/PeerAdvocacy EmilyPelligrino,MTBC Reimbursement JodieDeignan,MA,LMHC,MTBC Research JudyNguyenEngel,MM,MTBC SpecialTargetPopulations ShannonLaine,MTBC StandardsofClinicalPractice AnnetteWhiteheadPleau,MAMT,MTBC StudentAffairsAdvisoryBoard ChristineRouthier,MA,LMHC,MTBC TechnologyCommittee CassandraMulcahy,MTBC

PresidentElect HeatherBloamWagner,FAMI,MMT,MTBC
presidentelect@newenglandmusictherapy.org

PastPresident CarylBethThomas,MA,ACMT,LMHC
pastpresident@newenglandmusictherapy.org

VicePresident JudyNguyenEngle,MM,MTBC
vicepresident@newenglandmusictherapy.org

vicepresidentelect@newenglandmusictherapy.org

VicePresidentElect AldenRockwellMurphy,MTBC Treasurer AdrienneFlight,MMT,MTBC

treasurer@newenglandmusictherapy.org

Secretary DorothyStapleton,MTBC
secretary@newenglandmusictherapy.org

AssemblyDelegates SeatedNERPresident LindaBosse,MTBC JeanNemeth,MA,MTBC JenniferSokira,MMT,LCAT,MTBC

AssemblyDelegateelects: 1st:AnnetteWhiteheadPleaux,MAMT,MTBC 2nd:ChristineRouthier,MA,LMHC,MTBC 3rd:JulieAndring,MSA,MTBC 4th:StephanieClark,MTBC,CCLS

NonVotingMembersofExec.Board
NewsletterEditor KimberlyKhare,MA,CMT,NRMT PassagesChairTBD WebmasterBrittanyBloam NERAMTASPresidentJessicaBrizeula

PresidentsMessagecontinued

OurspringbusinessmeetingsawtheinstallationofthenewNERBoard.Iwouldliketowelcomeourverynew membersAdrienneFlight(Treasurer),AldenRockwellMurphy(VPElect),andMikhalaODonnell(PresElect, NERAMTAS).Youwillhaveachancetomeetthesefolksfurtheroninthisissue.Wearethrilledthatsomeboard memberscontinueoninnewroles.DoryStapletonhasmovedfromTreasurertoSecretaryandHeatherWagner hasmovedfromVPtoPresidentElect.Itisalsowithgreatthanksthatwesaysolong,fornow,toLisaKynvi, SecretaryandChristineRouthier,PastPresident.Inoursmallbutmightyregionitisverylikelywewillseetheir involvementwiththeboardagaininthecomingyears. We completed another spectacular NER Regional Conference at Oceans Edge in Brewster, MA. The conferencecommitteeHeatherWagner,JudyEngle,DoryStapleton,JenniferSokira,andNancySkaliotisput on an incredible event March 31st through April 2nd. Over 173 attended Inspired for TomorrowTogether, NER Conference. Regional professionals including Kimberly Khare, Peggy Codding, Kathleen Howland, Mary Carla MacDonald, and Christine Routhier, along with professionals from outside our region including Christine Neugebauer, Trish Winter, Dr. Eli Newberger, and Mark Holdaway, shared their knowledge and expertise in 8 CMTEcourseofferings.35concurrentsessionswerealsooffered,providingourmembershipwithexcitingand varied professional development opportunities. This conference provided the greatest number of sessions to dateanditwaswonderfultoseebothnewandexperiencedprofessionalssharingtheirknowledge.Ifyouhave yettoexperienceoneofourregionalconferences,trytocomealongin2012.Thecamaraderie,thenetworking, thesharing,theentertainment,theCabaret,theenergyarenottobemissed. Mostofusspendmuchofourlifeeducatingthepublic,andusuallyourfamilyandfriendstoo,aboutmusic therapy. We all have our elevator speech ready and can tell each target audience what music therapy is all about.MylaststatementisalwaystosaythatIhavethebestjobintheworldIgettowitnessthepowerof musicasitaffectsindividualsinwaysthatnothingelsedoes.Recently,Ihavebeengettingalittlemorehelpin explaining my job thanks to the media, the movies, and the authors. Music therapy, after the tragic event in Arizona,becameasourceofnationalnewsintherehabilitationandtreatmentofRepresentativeGabbyGiffords. TheMusicNeverStopped,amoviebasedonacasestudybyDrOliverSacksandfeaturingacharacterbasedon reallifemusictherapist,Dr.ConcettaTomaino,debutedattheSundanceFilmFestivalandhasplayedintheatres across the country. Author Jodi Picoult, in her recent book Sing You Home made her protagonist a music therapist.SheinterviewedandshadowedanumberofmusictherapistsincludingsomeofNERsown.Suzanne Hanser, Annette Whitehead Pleaux, and Emily Pellegrino were among those interviewed from our region. All theseeventsandresourceshavehelpedtocreateanexcitingbuzzformusictherapyandmusictherapists. There are many things happening out there in our world of work. The AMTA/CBMT state recognition operational plans are moving along across the country. New Hampshire music therapists have now come together in a formalized manner, thanks to the efforts of Marissa Ruffini, MTBC. Connecticut and Massachusettssmusictherapistsalsomeetinstategroups.Ifyouareinterestedinjoining,contactNERandwe willputyouintouchwiththegroups.IfyouwanttodevelopastategroupinMaine,Vermont,orRhodeIsland, let us know so we can help and support your efforts. CBMT has new certification guidelines that include a requiredEthicscourse.Therearenewandcreativewaystoearnyourcontinuingeducation,sobesuretokeep current with the guidelines. Watch for the new Fall 2011 IDEA that gives information about specialized instructionalsupportpersonnel(SISP)thenewtermforrelatedserviceswithintheIDEAandpupilservicesin ElementaryandSecondaryEducationAct.OurGovernmentRelationsCommitteeisworkinghardtokeepupto datewithallthechangesandtobesurethatmusictherapyisincludedinthelanguage. (PresidentsMessagecontinuedonPage4)

PresidentsMessagecontinued

November2012bringsthemusictherapycommunitytoAtlantaGeorgiaforthenationalconference.While callforpapershasclosed,thecallforPostersforthepostersessionisopenuntilJuly15.Thereareanumberof NERmusictherapistswillingtosharetheirknowledgeandexperiencewiththoseinterestedinpresenting.Letus knowwearehereforyou,ourmembers. InclosingIwouldliketosaythatitisanhonorandprivilegetoserveyouasPresidentoftheNERboard. Ronna Kaplan, President, AMTA, in the Spring 2011 Perspectives, reminds us that music therapy makes a differenceandthateveryday,YOUmakeadifference.Thankyoutoallwhomakeadifferenceinthelivesofso many.Beproudoftheworkyoudoandthepassionyoubring.Pleasecontactme,oranymemberoftheboard, ifyouhavequestions,wantinformation,orneedresources.Thereareopportunitiestogetmoreinvolvedwith the regional board through committee work. Check out the committees and see where you might share your passionandknowledge.

HerestothepowerofMusic~EveMontague,PresidentNERAMTA

HeatherWagner/PastVicePresidentsReport

Greetings,NewEnglandRegionmusictherapists,studentsandfriends!Idliketotakethisopportunitytosaya sincerethankyoutoeveryonewhomadeour2011regionalconferencesuchawonderfulexperience.Inspiredfor Tomorrow Together was a resounding success. It takes a great number of people to make such an event happen,andIamgratefultoallinvolved.AspecialthankstoJudyNguyenEngel,vicepresidentelect,Jennifer Sokira,registrationchair,andDorothyStapleton,treasurerfortheirhardworkbothintheplanningandrunning oftheconference.

Wehadarecordnumberof35concurrentpresentationsand8CMTEcoursesatthisyearsconference!Ashas been my catch phrase throughout my tenure as vicepresident, its the presenters that really make the conferencesospecial.Thankstoeveryonewhosharedtheirtalentandexpertisetohelpusgrowandbeinspired in our work. We truly wouldnt have a conference without you. If you havent already, please check out the websiteforhandouts,articles,andsongsthatweresubmittedbyconferencepresenters.

WewerefortunatethisyeartohaveourfirstevergrantfundedCMTE,madepossiblethroughthehardworkof AndrewGentzow,MA,MTBCandtheJenDiReenoFoundation,Inc.Throughtheircontributionwewereableto offerChristineNeugebauersCMTEfreeofcharge,andsupporthertravelhometoNERfromTexas.

Finally, the conference committee would like to thank our webmistress, Brittany Bloam, for her behindthe scenes role in the conference. She was instrumental in our use of online registration and has worked hard to uploadtheconferencehandoutstothewebsite(nosmalltask!).Itisgreattocontinuetoprogresswiththeuseof technologyinourwork.

AsIclosemyfinalreportasoutgoingvicepresidentfortheregion,Ioffermysinceregratitudetoallwhohave made my time in this position so wonderful. Planning conferences is a big job, but it has been wonderful and rewarding.Inaddition,tothosealreadymentioned,IdliketopersonallythankCarylBethThomasforbeingan amazing president with whom to work, to Nancy Skaliotis for the wonderful trips weve taken together in our queststofindjusttherightconferencesite,toKimberlyKhareforrunningtheCabaretwithasmile(andajoke), andtotheentireNERboardforjustbeingsofabulousandwillingtopitchinatamomentsnotice.Iamlooking forwardtoournextstepstogether!

MOVINGONReflectingonthepast2years
CarylBethThomas,NERPastPresident

Thepasttwoyearshavebeenextremelyfullandbusyonesformeinsomanyways,andpartofthathasbeen servingasthepresidentofNERAMTA.Ithasbeenanhonorandprivilegetoactinthisrole,andIjustwantedto takeabitoftimetoreflectandsharewithyouasImoveontobecomepastpresident,andEveMontaguetakes onthepresidency. Duringthispasttwoyears,somanythingshavehappenedinourmusictherapyworld!Passagescelebrated its 10th year the field of music therapy in the US celebrated its 60th year MMTA celebrated its 30th year. So many markers of the poignancy and beauty of our profession! I was just so pleased to be one of the primary representativesofNERduringallofthesecommemorations.Ourboardwentthroughseveralshiftsduringthese two years as well, with a few people needing to move on due to the demands of their lives. So I also had the opportunitytoselectandbringonsomenewfacesandenergiestoourhardworkingcommunityofpeersand colleagues. That was one of the most fun things for me to do in this presidency to get new professionals involvedandactiveinourregionalMusicTherapyassociation,justassomeonedidwithmealmost30yearago! OurcurrentNERboardisadelightfulandwellbalancedboardofnewerprofessionalsalongwithsomeseasoned sagesinthefieldthatallworkforandrepresentourregionalmembership.Wevecontinuedtodevelopandarea highlyrespectedregionofAMTA,andarestillrecognizedasthatsmallbutmightyregion!Wearegrowingin numbers bit by bit each year, but still have the advantage of being a region where we are essentially close in geographicalproximityandcanbepartofavibrantandsupportiveprofessionalcommunity.Ineverrealizedhow luckywereallyareinthisregarduntiltalkingwithotherregionalpresidentsoverthepasttwoyearsandlearning that our closeknit community is not commonplace. Most are much larger in size, both in numbers and area covered and they just do not have the ability to work, play and learn together as we do here. Our regional conferences are truly a living reflection of the wonderfully diverse, learned, experienced, and talented membership found in NER. Both last years conference in Westbrook CT and this years in Brewster MA were simplyawesomeandsuchauspiciousgatherings.IfyouhaveevergottentobeapartoftheseNERproceedings, itisthebestwaytogainanappreciationforourregion.Suchwonderfulmemoriesandgreattimestogether!And Ihavejustbeensogratefultopresideoverthiscommunityduringthesespecialevents,aswellastheotherplaces whereIhavegottentobeyourrepresentativeinthesepasttwoyears. ButwhenIagreedtobecomethepresidentelectin2007,therewasnowaythatIcouldhaveknownthatinjust twomoreyears,whenIbecametheactualpresident,thatIwouldalsobegoingthroughmajorlifetransitions someofthebiggestIveeverlivedthroughtodate!From20092011,myprofessionallifetooksomeenormous turnsandtransformationsanditwasquiteachallengetohaveallthisstarttotakeplaceasIalsosettledintomy roleastheNERpresident.ThefirstyearthatbeganinApril2009,Iagreedtotakeontheinterimpositionasthe coordinator of the Music Therapy specialization at Lesley University in addition to my regular job at the Community Music Center of Boston for the 0910 academic year. This was a somewhat unexpected and dauntingtask,jugglingthesetwoveryfulltimejobs.Butitalsofeltlikeanimportantthingformetodoinorder tosupporttheprogramatLesleyasitwasintransitionandIhadtaughtthereformanyyears.Icanhonestlysayit wasthehardestyearofmyworkinglife,andthereweremanytimeswhenIfeltbadlythatIcouldnotgivethe timeandattentiontootherrolesIneededtoattendtoaswell,includingNER.Andjustbeforethe2009AMTA conference, my motherinlaw unexpectedly passed away, and I found myself flying to Holland instead of San Diegoasplannedthatweek.Ihadtomissthenationalconferencethatyearandwasunabletocarryoutmuchof whatIwastodoaspresident.ButwesomehowmanagedtogetthroughthatyearprettywellinNER,andIowe mostofthattotheongoingsupportoftheNERboard,andparticularlyChristineRouthierinherroleasthepast president.Everyonewassohelpfulinsomanyways,andweactuallygotquiteabitaccomplished,eventhoughI feltveryabsentmuchofthatyear. (PastPresidentsReportcontinuedonpage6)

MOVINGONReflectingonthepast2yearsContinued

Andthenthesummerof2010presentedmewithanewfulltimejobthatwastotallyunexpectedandseriously changedmyprofessionallife,andprettymucheverythinginmylife!Ifoundmyselfendingmyworkofalmost20 yearsatCMCB,sayinggoodbyetomanyclientsandcoworkersIhadknownandworkedwithformanyyears, letting go of most of my academic work and affiliations and then beginning a forty hour a week job in one location.Itismyfirstjobunderoneroofsince1988!Soneedlesstosaythatallofthishasbroughtalotofshifts andchangesformethispastyearandinmyriadways.FortunatelyIwasmuchbetterabletogivemorefocused attentionandenergytotheNERaswellasotherareasofmyprofessionallifeandwork,despitethishugelife change.Sothisyearhasbeenprettydemandingaswell,butithasbeenonewhereIwasabletobemuchmore presentandactuallyabletobemorefullyinmywork.

So now I am handing over the reigns of NER to Eve and I am essentially just working in one place. Such freedom!AndeventhoughIamjustasbusyinsomewaysnow,itfeelsthatIcanfinallystarttoattendtomylife, work and music with much clearer intention and purpose. And I am also trying to simplify things to become morepresenttoallthatIdowhiledoingitandnotbedrawninsomanydirections.Andtohavemoretimetodo what I want to do! One of the things I hope to do for NER as past president is to revisit the bylaws and constitutionandseehowtheincreasedpresenceoftechnologyandourglobalworldisaffectinghowwemight do some of our work and make possible adjustments and revisions. I am also interested in staying on the Assembly for another term since I missed one of the two years that I was to represent NER, and have consequentlybeenelectedasanAssemblyDelegatestartingthisfall.SoIwillstillbeabletobearepresentative voiceforthemembership,whichIhavedoneformorethan25yearsnow.Gladtocontinuetodoso!

Iwanttosaythankstosomanyofyouforallyoursupportoverallandparticularlyduringthispasttwoyears with its many challenges and opportunities. And again, I just want to express my deepest gratitude and thankfulness for getting to be part of this region, and for having this chance to represent all of you and the meaningfulandprofoundworkthatyoudointhisworldofMusicTherapy.

Yoursinthespiritofkinshipandloveofmusic, CarylBethThomas,PastPresidentNERAMTA

Wearegoingheavenknowswherewearegoing Butweknowwithin Andwellgetthereheavenknowshowwewillgetthere Butweknowwithin

Itwillbehardweknow Andtheroadwillbemuddyandrough Butwellgetthereheavenknowshowwewillgetthere Butweknowwithin Woyaya

AMTAs2011NationalConference
AMTAintheATLAdvocacy,TherapyandLeadership November1620,2011~TheHiltonAtlanta,Atlanta,GA
6

AnnetteWhiteheadPleaux/StandardsofClinicalPracticeReport

COMMITTEEMEMBERS AnnetteWhiteheadPleaux,MA,MTBC(Chair)(NER) BobMiller,MS,MTBC,(MidAtlantic) RobertaS.(Bobbi)Adler,MTBC(Western) EllaryDraper,MM,MTBC(Southwestern) MelanieHarms,MME,MTBC(Midwestern) LoriGooding,PhD,MTBC(Southeastern) NancyJackson,PhD,MTBC(GreatLakes) JenniferLopezKaley,(StudentRepresentative) GOAL: Todevelop,assess,andupdatetheAMTAStandardsofClinicalPractice. TASKS: Datecompleted:Ongoing 1.ToreviewandrevisetheAMTAStandardsofClinicalPracticedocumentandrecommendrevisionstoreflect applicabilitytocurrentpractice.
A. TheCommitteehascontinuedtoworkontheSupervisionSectionoftheStandards,mainlydevelopingan explanationofsupervisionandtoaddressvicariousliability. B. ItwasalsobroughttotheCommitteethatthelanguageDevelopmentalDisabilityisoutdatedandotherterms includingIntellectuallyDisablingDisability,IntellectuallyDisablingCondition,andIntellectualandDevelopmental Disabilityarebeingusedinstead.TheCommitteeisreviewingthelanguageusedintheStandardsofClinical PracticeincomparisonwiththeotherorganizationsincludingtheAPA,AAMR,NICHCY,CDC,andAAID. C. TheSpecialTargetPopulationCommitteequestionedtheuseofGeriatricsintheStandardsofClinicalPractice. TheCommitteereviewedthissectionandhasproposedchangestobebroughttotheAssemblyofDelegatesin 2010. D. ThequestionwasbroughttotheCommitteetoexploreiftheMedicalStandardsencompassthepracticeofmusic therapyinNICUs.

ACTIONSTEPS:
A. TheCommitteepresentedproposedchangestotheSupervisionSectionoftheStandardsofClinicalPracticetothe AssemblyofDelegates.ThesechangeswerepassedwithsomeminorchangesbytheAssemblyofDelegates.Thistask iscomplete. B. AftercarefulreviewofthelanguagebeingusedtodescribethepopulationformerlyknownasDevelopmentally Disabled,theCommitteebroughtforthachangetotheAssemblyofDelegateswhichwaspassed.TheStandardsof ClinicalPracticenowusesthetermDevelopmentallyandIntellectuallyDisabled.Thistaskiscomplete. C. ThelanguageoftheGeriatricSettingswasupdatedtoOlderAdults.ThiswasapprovedbytheAssemblyofDelegates. Thistaskiscomplete. D. DuringourmeetingsattheAMTAnationalconference,theCommitteemembersreviewedthedatafromtheNICU survey.ThecommitteemembersareworkingonchangestotheMedicalStandardsandtheGeneralStandardsbased ontheresultsofthestudy.ThesechangeswillbebroughttotheAssemblyofDelegatesinNov.2011.Thistaskis ongoing. E. TofacilitateourworkontheStandardsofClinicalPractice,theCommitteehascreatedaGoogleDocspagewiththe StandardsofClinicalPracticeonitfortheCommitteememberstoworkonrevisionstogether.Thisdecreasesconfusion fromemailedcopies.

2.ToensurethattheAMTAStandardsofClinicalPracticereflectthehighestqualityoftreatmentandservicesin musictherapy.ThecommitteephilosophyfocusesonfunctionalityandflexibilityoftheStandardstoembraceallof themusictherapymodels.Therefore,allgeneralstandardsaretobeappliedtoareas.Wewillcontinuetoexamine ourlanguagetoreflectthecurrentpractices. 3.ToinformAMTAmembersoftheworkofthiscommitteeviaregionalandnationalpublicationsaswellason the Members Only section of the AMTA web site. The committee members presented reports to their respective regionalnewslettersaswellasprovidedoralcommitteereportsattheregionalbusinessmeetings.Theelectronic andfutureSourcebookversionoftheStandardsofClinicalPracticeisthemostcurrentversion.

NERAMTAPresidentialAchievementAwards2011
PresentedApril1,2011attheNERAnnualconferenceinBrewster,MA CarylBethThomas,NERAMTAPresident,20092010

JenniferM.Sokira,MMT,LCAT,MTBC
ThisrecipienthasbeenafreshnewblastofenergytotheNERAMTAboardandhasbeenwithussince2006.I havebeensoimpressedwithherprofessionalismanddedicationtothisworkandweareallgratefultoherfor whatshehasbroughttoourregionandtothisfieldalready!Sheissuchahardworker,andinmultipleareasof herlifesimultaneously.Ihaveaveryclearmemoryofhersittingattheregistrationtableatoneconferencefor endlesshourswithachildthatwasabouttobebornatanymomentandyetthereshestillwasforthewhole conference!Sonow,inadditiontobeingamom,shecontinuestobeveryactiveinthegoingsonofourregion andthefieldofmusictherapy.Mostofyouhavemetherattheregistrationtableoverthesepastseveralyears. Asyoumayknow,sheisquiteseriousaboutgettingfolkstobemembersofourassociationaswellasbeingone ofthewelcomingfacesatconferenceregistration.AsourMembershipCommitteeRepresentativeforthepast severalyears,shehasledverysuccessfulmembershipdrivesandhashelpedournumberstodevelopandgrow consistentlyeachyear.SheisalsocurrentlyservingontheAssemblyofDelegatesforNERandwasreallyexcited togettoalsobeavoiceforourmembershipinthiswayaswell.Thisyearshewasalsoresponsibleforfacilitating thefirstNERprofessionalscholarshipsforourmembership,whichprovidedthreerecipientstheirconferencefees forthis2011conference.Sheinitiatedtheidea,facilitatedataskforce,createdtheguidelinesandcoordinated theprocessforthisyearsrecipients.

Sheisaboardcertifiedmusictherapistwhohasworkedextensivelywithchildrenandadultswithdevelopmental disabilities,autism,learningdisabilities,physicaldisabilities,RettsSyndrome,andotherneurologicaldisorders inschool,communityandhomesettings.ShereceivedherBachelorofScienceinMusicTherapyfromDuquesne Universityin2001andherMasterofMusicTherapy(MMT)fromTempleUniversityin2006.Shewasalsovery activeintheAMTAS,servingasbothsecretaryandpresidentofthenationalstudentassociation.

Sheisthefounder,owneranddirectorofConnecticutMusicTherapyServices,LLC,whichshefoundedin2005 in order to expand the availability of quality music therapy services to people in need throughout the state of Connecticut.CTMTSprovidestherapiststhattraveltoclienthomes,schoolsandcommunitylocations,andwork with individuals of all ages who have special needs including autism, developmental disabilities, learning, physical and neurological needs. They also provide trainings and inservices, assisting families, teachers and therapists to incorporate music into their lives and work. She also has worked at Pilot House and Giant Steps, providingprogramsandresourcesforfamiliesraisingchildrenwhohavedevelopmentaldisabilities.

OneofhermainrolesisclearlytobeanadvocateforthefieldofMusicTherapybothonourboardandinher professional work. And she not only provides and coordinates clinical services, but she is also educating other professionalsinmanydifferentarenas.Shehasofferedmanyworkshopsandpresentationstoawiderangeof professionals,bothinourcreativeartstherapycommunity,aswellaseducators,otherhealthcareprofessionals, familiesandcaregivers.Aspartofherbusiness,shehasalsostartedablogthispastJanuarycalledInvolveMe Music:SolutionsforMusicEducators.Weofferadowntoearthandpracticalperspective,withtheintentionof helping music teachers develop relationships with their special education students, allowing them to better participatein,enjoy,andbenefitfrommusiceducation.Inadditiontothemanyworkshopsandpresentations shehasprovided,shealsoprovidesthisblog,individualandgroupconsultationservices(liveandviaphoneand skype). She participates in a wide range of social media and most of it is serving to promote our field and to educateothersaboutwhatmusictherapyisandisnot!

So I am just so happy to present this incredibly vibrant and hardworking woman with the 2011 NERAMTA PresidentialAchievementAwardJENSOKIRA.

NERAMTAPresidentialAchievementAwards2011,continued
LISASUMMER,PhD,MCAT,MTBC
This recipient has been a music therapist since 1977, and has served the field in many different roles and capacitiesoverthesethreeplusdecades.Irecentlyviewedherresumeanditiscompletelymindblowing.Ihave had the pleasure of knowing and working with her for almost 30 years now. When I first met her, we did committeeworktogetherforseveralyears,althoughIneveractuallymetherorwaseverinthesameroomwith her.Iknowthatisnotatalluncommonnowinthisageoflongdistanceanddigitalrelationships,butbackinthe 80s,weusedtorefertoherasthephantomcommitteeandboardmember.Littledidmostofusknowback thenwhataforceofnatureshewasorhowmuchshewouldcontributetothefieldofMusicTherapy.Shemaybe small,butwow,isshemighty!Sheisknownforbeingaclear,calm,steady,andsometimesveryintenseperson andshehasprovidedmuchguidanceandsupporttosomanyofusoverthesepastyears. She has been the director of several music therapy programs and institutes, has lectured, taught and trained countlessmusictherapistsallovertheworld,andhaswrittenextensivelyaboutmusictherapyinseveralbooks, chapters and articles that are utilized as texts internationally. She has served in some capacity of the various professional music therapy associations AMTA consistently since 1986 NAMT, AAMT, and AMTA. She was instrumentalinthemostrecentrevisionoftheAMTACodeofEthicsandhasalwaysbeenoneofthemainpeople tocallwheneveranissuerelatedtoethicsorprofessionalconductmightarise.Sheiswellknownforbeingableto offer clear and objective perspectives, but also to be extremely caring and personal, and one who has often helpedothersmoreeasilyfindtheirownway.ShewastheeditoroftheAmericanAssociationforMusicTherapy InternationalReportandpartofthevisionforVOICES,theInternationalonlineMusicTherapyjournalthatnow linksmusictherapiststogetherallovertheworld. OneofthethingsthatIadmiremostaboutthispersonishertenacityandunwaveringcommitmenttothiswork, despitethetumultuoustimesthatshehassometimesfacedintheprogramsinwhichshehasbeeninvolved.In thefaceofvariousshiftsandchanges,shehasalwaysbeenabletocontinuetodevelopandshapehervisionof musictherapy,andherabilitytocontinueasaninfluentialteacherandtrainerinourfield.WhenIfirstmether,I waslivinginNYCandshewasinCookevilleTNatTennesseeTech,ergoourlongdistancerelationshipbackinthe daysofAAMTcommitteework.AndjustafewyearsafterImovedtoMA,sheleftTennesseeandmadeherway toMassachusettsandhereshehasremained,muchtoouradvantageandgreatjoyhereintheNER!Shehas been the director, fierce advocate, and continued visionary of the undergraduate Music Therapy program at Anna Maria College since 1995. She was the Director of GIM Training at the Bonny Foundation for Music CenteredTherapiesfrom19881997,andisworldrenownedforherGIMskillsasaclinicianandtrainer.Shehasa parttimemusicpsychotherapypracticeinSt.Thomas,VirginIslandsandherprimaryinteresthasalwaysbeen theuseofclassicalmusicinpsychodynamicandspiritualtransformation.SheisalsocurrentlytheDirectorofthe InstituteforMusicandConsciousnessatAnnaMariaCollege,amasterslevelprogramthatoffersthreelevelsof music & imagery training based upon Helen Bonnys foundational notions of humanistic music therapy.Those arejustafewofthemanyachievementsthatshehasgiventousoverthesepastyears. She received her BA in Music Therapy at Western Michigan University, her Masters of Creative Arts Therapies from Hahneman University in Philadelphia, and she recently has completed her PhD studies at University of Aalborg in Denmark. She is a devoted wife and mother. She plays French Horn she loves to dance and do cartwheelsandshelovestoscubadiveinwarmtropicalwaters.Shehascontributedsomuchtoourfieldandin somanywaysthatIamjustinaweatallshehasdoneandcontinuestodo. WearesofortunatetohaveheraspartoftheNewEnglandRegionanditgivesmegreatpleasuretopresent thisyearsNERAMTAPresidentialAchievementAwardtoDR.LISASUMMER.

WELCOME!NewNERBoardMembers
Mikhala O'Donnell is currently enrolled in undergraduate studies in Music Therapy and Music EducationatAnnaMariaCollege.HerprincipalinstrumentisVoice.Shehasbeeninterestedinmusic, aswellaspsychology,fromanearlyage.Shediscoveredmusictherapyduringhighschoolwhenshe observedamusictherapistatworkandinstantlyknewwhatshewantedtodo!SheisfromCharlton, MA.MikhalahasbeeninvolvedwithNERAMTASsinceherfreshmanyearatAnnaMariaandcannot waittocontinueherinvolvement. AdrienneFlightholdsaBachelorofMusicinMusicTherapyfromlUniversitduQubecMontralas wellasaMasterofMusicTherapyfromWilfridLaurierUniversityinOntario,Canada.Shecompleted GIMLevelItrainingandTraumaFocusedCognitiveBehavioralTherapytraining.Inthepast,Adrienne internedattheCentreforAddictionandMentalHealthinToronto,andwentontoworkatSunnybrook Hospital,oneofCanadaslargesthospitals.AftermovingtoBoston,Adrienneworkedinasmallgroup homeforchildrenwithtraumahistories,andthenworkedattheItalianHomeforChildrenwhereshe continued working with that client population. Adrienne then moved on to work with adults with dementiaatRogersonHouseinJamaicaPlain.ThetreasurerroleisAdriennesfirstinvolvementwith theNERAMTAandshesenjoyingitsofar!Adrienneandherhusbandareexpectingtheirfirstchildin lateJune.

JenniferSokira/MembershipCommittee

HelloNER!Iamhappytoreportthatwereofftoagoodstartregardingourmembership,withstrongnumbersat theprofessional,student,andgradstudentlevels.Oursmallbutmightyregionhasdoneaconsistentlygreatjob maintainingtheirmembershipnumbersoverthelastseveralyears,andIthinkthatthisisatestamenttoyour dedicationtoourprofession.Inturn,AMTAandNERcontinuetoworkhardtosupportthemembersinmany ways. This year, we supported three conference scholarships that provided full registration to our NER Conference. Congrats to the winners, Lisa Rue, Jaime Plancon and Natalie McClune! Thanks also to the NER boardforsupportingthisproject! WeconductedourfirstmembershipdriveoftheyearattheregistrationtableatNERConference,gainingseveral newmembers.Wellbehostinganothercallingdrivethisspring,soifyouhaventjoinedAMTAyetthisyear,you maybegettingacallfromoneofourillustriousvolunteers! Also,dontforgetthatifyouhaventyetsigneduptobeanAMTAmemberfor2011,youcannowdothisquickly andeasilyonlineatwww.musictherapy.org.ThenewAMTAwebsiteisgoingtobeunveiledthisspring,giving youeasyaccesstoallofyourmemberbenefitsandkeepingyouinconnectionwiththeotherMTsacrosstheUS, sostaytunedtoseenewfeatures! Thankstoeveryoneforkeepingourregionstrong.IfyouhaveanyquestionsregardingyourAMTAmembership, feelfreetogetintouchwithmeatjen@ctmusictherapy.com,andIwouldbehappytoanswerortopointyouin therightdirection!

10

JessicaBrizuela/NERAMTASPresident

Firstoff,IwouldliketoexpressthatIampleasedtohavetheopportunitytoserveaspresidentforasecondterm. This year we created a new board position of presidentelect in order to make transitions from year to year smoother.Iamfortunatetogettoworkwiththisyearspresidentelect,MikhalaODonnell.Wewillbeworking closelywitheachotherandwewillbeattendingallmeetingsregionallyandnationallytogether.ThisisMikhalas third year serving on the NERAMTAS boardshe first served on this board as Anna Marias first year representativeandlastyear,sheservedasAnnaMariasVicePresident.Mikhalaisawonderfulpersonwithso manybrilliantideasandvisionsforthisgroupthatIamexcitedtoseewhatshewillbringtothetablethisyear.

NERAMTASBoard20112012: JessicaBrizuela,President(Berklee) MikhalaO'Donnell,PresidentElect(AnnaMaria) AndrewRohwer,VP(Lesley) JulieannHartley,VP(AnnaMaria) ChanningShippen,VP(Berklee) JesseKurn,ChairofPublicRelations(Lesley) KathyMcCann,Parliamentarian(Lesley) AshleeBurgener,Treasurer(Lesley) MollyKillilea,Secretary(AnnaMaria) MarizaNeiada,National/InternationalServiceProjectChair(Berklee) ChristineRouthier,StudentAffairsAdvisor(Lesley)

We had a good student turnout at the 2011 NER Conference. NERAMTAS would like to acknowledge and congratulate all students who received scholarships at the conference: Lauren Calista, Kathy McCann, Mike Simonelli,HannahSlater,MikhalaODonnell,andMeganGoddu.Wewouldalsoliketothankallstudentswho presentedattheconferenceGenuineVoices&TeamCayman2010. Ournewboardmetforourfirstmeetinglastweekendandwehaveplannedanumberofexitingprojectsforthis summer and upcoming school year. We have set the date for our 12th Annual Passages Student Conference for October 15, 2011 at Lesley University. Students can now submit their call for papers applications online at http://www.tinyurl.com/neramtasATTNteachersandmentors:pleasesavethedateandencouragestudents toapply!WeneedyourhelptomakePassagesasuccess. ThissummerweareplanningtosendstudentstodoanotherservicetriptoCaymanIslandsthankstoJulianne Parolisi.Ourinternationaltripfor2012isalreadyintheworksthankstoourNISPC,MarizaNeiada.Wehavea number of fundraisers lined up for these projects such as songbooks, tote bags, Music Therapy BBQs, benefit concerts,andmore! TostayinformedwithNERAMTASpleasevisitourwebsiteathttp://www.neramtas.org.

12thAnnualPassagesConference October15,2011~LesleyUniversity
ATTNteachersandmentors=YourguidancehelpsmakePassagesasuccess! 11

SpecialKUDOS!
After9yearsourveryownPresidentElectHeatherBloamWagnerhascompletedtherequirements forANDearnedherFAMI!!!!!Moreremarkablethenthatthoughisthatshewasfinishingallherwork whilebeingtheVicePresidentoftheNERforthepasttwoyearsandrunningouramazingconferences! Wearesopleasedforherandwishhermuchcontinuedsuccess.Youdeserveallthingsgooddear Heather. AllegraThemmenPigott,wholivesinStamfordConnecticutandisthemusictherapysupervisorat Heartsong,issingingthenationalanthemfortheMETSgamethisSaturdayMay7th,at7:10pm.Ihave attachedaflyerannouncingtheevent.ItisAutismAwarenessDayatCitiFieldandHeartsongwillalso berecognized.Thisisagreatthing!GoAllegra!!!CongratulationstoHeartsong!!!

JudyNguyenEngle/ResearchCommittee
CallingallClinicians!

TheResearchCommitteeispleasedtoannouncethe2011ClinicianBasedGrantProgram.Thepurposeofthe AMTAClinicianbasedgrantprogramistoencourage,promote,andfundclinicianbasedappliedmusictherapy research.Theprogram,sponsoredbytheAMTAResearchCommittee,seekstosupportappliedclinicalresearch intheprofessionofmusictherapyandincorporatedintoroutinefieldwork.

Grantsmayrangefrom$500$3,000.Awardamountswillbemadeatthediscretionofthereviewcommittee; however,individualgrantsmaynotexceed$3,000.PleasevisitthemembersonlysectionoftheAMTAwebsite.

TheResearchPostersubmissionisnowentirelyonline. ThoseinterestedinhavingtheirresearchconsideredfortheResearchPosterSessionshould: 1)Submitonecopyofa600800wordabstract;oracopyofthefullreport(includinganabstract).Regardlessof choice,eachsubmissionmustincludecompleteinformationforjudgingresearchquality. 2)SubmissionsmustbereceivedasanemailattachmentusingWORD(12pointinTimesNewRoman). 3)IntheMAINBODYOFTHEEMAILincludeallofthedemographicinformationnecessaryforlistinginthefinal programincluding1)thetitleofthepaper,2)names(s)ofauthor(s)3)institutionalaffiliation(s)andacomplete address. 4) On the abstract or full paper INCLUDE ONLY the paper's title. DO NOT include the name of the author or affiliation. The deadline for submissions is JULY 15, 2011. Please send submissions to: cmadsen@fsu.edu Clifford K. Madsen, AMTAResearchCommittee, Center for MusicResearch, Florida StateUniversity, Tallahassee, Florida 323062098 USA. If, after 5 days of submission you have not received a confirmation of your paper being received,pleasesenditagainandcallDr.Madsen(850)6444565.

AMTAs2011NationalConference
AMTAintheATLAdvocacy,TherapyandLeadership November1620,2011~TheHiltonAtlanta,Atlanta,GA