The Spring 2011 Michigan Music Therapists newsletter. Spread the word about music therapy in Michigan: please share with colleagues, clients, friends, etc.
1. N u m ber 101
Sprin g 2011
!
soon
o ming
go c tails.
N ew lo f or de
elow
See b
President
Rebecca Findley, MT-BC Preparing for GLR 2012
rebeccafindley@yahoo.com
Past President The 2012 GLR Conference, Grand
Liz Buckmaster, M.Ed., MT-BC Perspectives in a Rapidly Chang-
musicliz@wideopenwest.com
ing Field, will be held April 11-15,
Vice President 2012 at the Amway Grand Plaza
Julie A. Palmieri, M.M., MT-BC
Hotel (www.amwaygrand.com) in
juliepalmieri@gmail.com
Grand Rapids. Planning is already
Secretary underway, but many more volun-
Miranda Eden, MT-BC
teers are needed to make this
meden@lifeprocesscenter.org
even a success. Information and
Treasurer/Membership descriptions of the various confer- The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is located in downtown Grand
Jaime Merritt, MT-BC Rapids, overlooking the Grand River.
ence committees are available
jme.mtbc@gmail.com
online at www.mmtonline.org/
Continuing Education glr2012.html. If you are interested in serving in some way, please contact
Tomoko Page, MT-BC
tomokopagemtbc@yahoo.com
the conference co-chairs—Miranda Eden, Rebecca Findley, and Julie
Palmieri—as soon as possible. They can be reached via e-mail at
Public Relations 2012glr@gmail.com. Let‟s show the Great Lakes Region the strength of
Deb Koepele Kuptz, MT-BC
brassbelle@juno.com
music therapy in Michigan!
Government Relations
Susan E. Gregory, MT-BC Announcing the MMT Logo Contest
gregjs@comcast.net The MMT logo needs an update and we want your help with the make-
Clinical Training over! Between now and April 15, 2011, we invite submissions for the new
Roberta Justice, MT-BC logo. The Top 5 (as determined by the executive board) will be posted
rjustice@emich.edu
online for vote by the membership. The winning design will be unveiled
Newsletter at the Spring Workshop and the winner will receive 2012 MMT member-
Kellee Coviak, MT-BC ship and a $50 iTunes gift card.
kellee.coviak@codamts.com
Guidelines:
Website Coordinator Must be submitted by a current MMT Member
Julie A. Palmieri, M.M., MT-BC
Should include organization title: “Michigan Music Therapists”
web@mmtonline.org
All images should be original design & not include copyrighted information/
Archivist images
Ed Roth, M.M., MT-BC, NMT Format should be high resolution: .jpg, .png, .gif format
eroth@wmich.edu Logo will become property of MMT
Deadline for submission: April 15, 2011.
Send to rebeccafindley@yahoo.com.
2. Page 2 N u m be r 101
Wo r k s h o p N ew s
Our Fall Workshop, Thinking Outside-the-Box: Expanding MT Outside Tra-
ditional Practice, was held on Friday October, 29, 2010 at Monroe
County Intermediate School District in Monroe, Michigan. This workshop
featured school music therapists Angela M. Snell, MT-BC and Laurel
Rosen-Weatherford, MT-BC, who presented a number of outstanding
interventions for the school population and incorporated a number of
their students in the presentation. They also showcased their unique mu-
The MMT Spring sical playground. There were 31 attendees, including 25 professionals
Workshop will be held and 6 students. Thank you to Angie, Laurel and interns for a great work-
Saturday, May 21, shop.
2011. Tracy
Richardson will present
on songwriting.
Images from left: Angie Snell demonstrates on the outdoor xylophone. Workshop attendees sing along with Old Time Rock
& Roll. Laurel Rosen-Weatherford drums with a student on the playground.
Our Spring Workshop will be held on May 21, 2011 and will feature Tracy
Richardson, M.S., MT-BC presenting on songwriting. Additional informa-
tion will be announced soon.
Michigan Music Ther apy Awar eness Week
April 25-29, 2011
Michigan Music Therapy Awareness Week will be April 25-29, 2011.
Though we are constantly called upon to be advocates for our profes-
sion, MMT encourages all Michigan music therapists to be especially no-
ticeable during this week. Here are a few ideas for promoting music
therapy:
Notify your local media. Watch for a sample press release from MMT to get your
started.
Make & distribute bookmarks or stickers with music therapy quotes, facts, etc.
Organize a recital, celebration, etc. at your facility.
Distribute articles, studies, or fact sheets within your facility.
Wear your “Music Therapy” sparkle pin (sold by MMT).
Share this newsletter with someone else (colleagues, clients, friends, etc.).
Visit the MMT Facebook page to share an idea and see what others are planning.
3. S pr in g 2011 Page 3
Member Spotlight:
T h e r e s a M e r r i l l , P h . D. , M T - B C , FA M I
Interview conducted by Katie Bender, senior Music Therapy
student at Eastern Michigan University
Dr. Theresa (Terra) Merrill, Ph.D., MT-BC, FAMI is a welcomed
new addition to the Music Therapy program of Eastern Michi-
gan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti, MI. Dr. Merrill received her un-
dergraduate and graduate degrees in British Columbia, Can-
ada and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University (Diploma in
Music Therapy, Capilano College, North Vancouver, B.C., 1989;
Bachelor of Music Therapy, 1993, Master of Music Therapy,
1998, both from British Columbia Open University, Vancouver, Dr. Merrill, Ph.D.,
B.C.; Ph.D. in Music Education/Therapy, MSU, 2009). Dr. Merrill‟s MT-BC, FAMI
Master‟s Thesis was titled Rise Up Singing: A model for con-
sciousness through the therapist’s reflections on an improvisational music ther-
apy group for Persons with End Stage Dementia, while her Doctoral dissertation
examined the positive qualities of mentoring relationships between music
therapists.
Dr. Merrill came to EMU from Marylhurst University in Portland, OR, where she
served as a full-time Music Therapy professor from 2004-2010. At this small, lib-
eral arts college, she coordinated and supervised the undergraduate clinical
placement program and oversaw national roster internships; developed on-line
music therapy coursework; and served as executive director of the Creative
Arts Day Camp for Children with Special Needs. Prior to her position at Maryl-
hurst, Dr. Merrill was Professional Practice Leader for Providence Health Care, a
leading music therapy professional practice across seven hospital sites in Van- “I could be involved in
couver, B.C. Dr. Merrill has a vast array of clinical experience, having been in- creating an exciting
volved in geriatric care programs, hospitals, community counseling facilities,
future for music therapy
residential treatment and rehabilitation centers, and wellness centers, as well
as overseeing the clinical education of hundreds of students. in Southeast Michigan.”
Dr. Merrill states, “My desire to return to Michigan to teach at EMU is part of a
continuum. After being at a very large institution (MSU) where I felt a lack of
connection with students, I wanted to be in a smaller setting where I could
have a closer and more individualized connections with students. So, I went to
Marylhurst and that was a perfect place to grow and develop as an educator.
Being primarily a teaching college, there was no opportunity or support for re-
search and scholarly activity. EMU felt like the perfect balance to me: an op-
portunity to work closely with students as individuals and also to have space,
time and support to make the sort of contribution to our field that I feel drawn
to make at this time.”
When she was invited to EMU to interview for the tenure-track position last year,
she was impressed with the program. “The vibrancy of the program, its reputa-
tion within the University and AMTA, the active involvement of the students
throughout the interview process, the secured support for graduate studies,
and the support for scholarship inherent within a tenure track position all led me
to the feeling that I could be involved in creating an exciting future for music
therapy in Southeast Michigan.”
Graciously and enthusiastically, Dr. Merrill has accepted and thrived in her new
position on faculty. Welcome (back) to Michigan, Dr. Merrill!
4. Page 4 N u m be r 101
M u s i c T h e r a py i n t h e N ew s
Music therapy has been in the spotlight quite a bit during recent weeks,
partly due to the use of music therapy in the rehabilitative treatment of
Representative Gabrielle Giffords, but also because music therapy is
featured in both a new Jodi Picoult novel and a Sundance film. Here
are a few links to check out.
Great Day Houston: Using Music to Heal
Interview with Maegen Morrow, music therapist at TIRR Memorial
Hermann hospital. She discusses the use of music therapy in rehabilita-
tion and treatment of brain injuries. Video available at: http://
www.khou.com/great-day/gdh_030211_seg5-117248118.html
Inside Giffords‟ Rehab
CNN‟s Dr. Sanjay Gupta goes inside TIRR and participates in a typical
day in treatment, including music therapy. In his blog, Dr. Gupta called
music therapy his “personal favorite.” Video and blog available at:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/18/19059/
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
The main character of this new novel, Zoe Baxter, is a
music therapist. Though music therapy is not the main
focus of the novel, Picoult‟s inclusion of the profession
“CNN‟s Dr. Sanjay does help bring attention to the field. A synopsis and ad-
Gupta called music ditional information are available on Picoult‟s website at:
therapy his „personal http://www.jodipicoult.com/sing-you-home.html
favorite.‟” The Music Never Stopped
“The Music Never Stopped” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The movie is based on the case study, „The Last Hippie‟ by Dr. Oliver
Sacks, M.D. and demonstrates the use of music to treat brain injuries.
According to AMTA, Julia Ormond‟s character is modeled after Dr. Con-
nie Tomaino, the Executive Director of the Institute for Music and Neu-
rologic Function and Senior Vice President of Music Therapy Services at
the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services. Unfortunately, there is not
yet a showing scheduled for Michigan, but there is a feature on the
movie‟s website to request additional screenings. Check out the trailer
and more at: http://themusicneverstopped-movie.com/
In local news: Music Therapy Helps Special Needs Students
An article that ran in the MSU State News which highlights the music
therapy program at the MSU Community Music School. The full article is
available at: http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2011/02/
music_therapy_helps_special_needs_students
5. S pr in g 2011 Page 5
Tw o Ye a r A n n i v e r s a r y o f M S U M u s i c
T h e r a py M o r a t o r i u m
February 9, 2011 marked the two-year anni-
versary of the announcement of the morato-
rium on the MSU music therapy program. In
response to the discontinuation of the pro-
gram—the very first music therapy training
program in the United States—a number of
music therapists, students and community
members have come together to form Advocates for Music Therapy
Education (AMTE). AMTE has appeared before the MSU Board of Trus-
tees on numerous occasions and is exploring other options for continu-
ing the program, including transferring the program to a different col-
lege within the University. Fundraising is another important component
of their agenda. If you would like to become involved with these pro-
gram-saving efforts, please contact AMTE Chair, Rebecca West
(rebecca.west.mtbc@gmail.com). Additional information can be
found on the AMTE website (www.musictherapyedu.org); there is also a
Facebook group “Save the MSU Music Therapy Program.”
New Cer tification Manuals In Ef fect
A reminder that the Fifth Editions of the Recertification Manual and the “[AMTE] is exploring
Approved Provider Manual became effective on January 1, 2011. New other options for
policies and changes are highlighted on page 4 of the Recertification continuing the [MSU music
Manual. Please make sure you familiarize yourself with these changes therapy] program.”
and how they will effect your certification.
An E ve n in g w it h D r. D e fo r ia La n e
MMT was honored to join the MSU Music Ther-
apy Program in sponsorship of the 2011
Niland Distinguished Lecturer in Music Ther-
apy: An Evening with Dr. Deforia Lane on Fri-
day, February 18. Dr. Lane provided an in-
spiring presentation featuring stories and foot-
age of her work within medical music ther-
apy. She also voiced her support of the MSU
Dr. Deforia Lane, Ph.D., MT-BC
Associate Director, Seidman Cancer Center music therapy department, as the program
Director of Music Therapy, University Hospitals
of Cleveland, Seidman Cancer Center and continues to battle the moratorium imparted
Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.
by the University. The evening was con-
cluded with a reception and visitation
among colleagues and students.
6. Michigan Music Therapists
c/o Kellee Coviak, Newsletter Editor
P.O. Box 81003
Lansing, MI 48908
Visit www.mmtonline.org
for the latest news.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 23-27, 2011
GLR of AMTA Conference,
SNAPs
Grand Geneva Resort & SNAPs is a new avenue for sharing Sensa-
tional News, Announcements & People. We
Spa (Lake Geneva, WI)
welcome you to share your exciting news on
March 26, 2011 the SNAPs discussion thread on the MMT
MMT Meeting at GLR Facebook page.
Conference
Congratulations to Lisa Barnhart
April 15, 2011 (WMU), recipient of the Fall 2010
MMT Logo Contest Dead- MMT Memorial Scholarship.
line
Congratulations to Jodi Conradi
April 25-29, 2011 Stark, M.A., MT-BC, recipient of
Michigan Music Therapy the Michigan Youth Arts Touch-
Awareness Week
stone Award for the Very Special
Arts (VSA) Michigan 2011 Educa-
May 21, 2011
MMT Spring Workshop, tor of the Year.
Details TBA
Harmony Garden Music Therapy
April 11-15, 2012 Services (Jackson, MI) has a new
GLR of AMTA Conference, music therapist! Welcome Bekah
Amway Grand Plaza Ho- We invite you to share this newslet- Moilanen, MT-BC.
tel (Grand Rapids, MI) ter with colleagues and clients.