Attending 2015 AMTA Conference

How remarkable that Thanksgiving is this week! The American Music Therapy Association Conference took place in Kansas City, Missouri. The conference hotel had incredible views, easy access to food and plenty of space for mingling, reconnecting and learning. Top left photo: mid-presentation with Dr. Carol Shultis and Brigette Sutton; Middle photo: window view before the AMTA Workforce Development and Retention Committee Meeting; Top right photo: delicious pastry assortment at nearby Consentino's Market.

To think more flexibly and to practice more effective self awareness and self-care

A colleague and friend shared the above takeaway as conference concluded. Amen to the need for music therapists to model professionalism, ethics and healthy practices of self-care! Remarkably this was the first regional or national conference where I did not schedule exercise into my inference regime. Thankfully WRAMTA planned the first national #Cadenza5K which was a great group outing at the World War I Memorial {map to the right}. Participants registered to support scholarships for music therapy students and receive an awesome shirt for a fun run/walk. Arriving in time to sing the national anthem and don glow sticks was delightful. Slowly retreating back to the hotel after the race was more chilling because of the somber view of France's Flag colors throughout the city:

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11.14.15 In Solidarity of Paris

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As a non music therapist, I am leaving inspired and impressed by the professionalism of music therapists. They are diligent in their therapeutic planning and assessment in order to be effective and productive health care professionals. Plus, music therapists are creative and kind to boot!

Cueing Irving Berlin's Song: Sisters

Another music therapist's take away from #AMTA15 resonated with me because of the creativity and kindness aspects. Reuniting with former classmates, advisors, mentors, colleagues and attending various concurrent sessions was beneficial. The support that the music therapy community extends is enriching. My connection to the field is furthered by my sisters introduction of music therapy to me as a freshman college student. Thanks to her meeting with Sister Donna Marie Beck and the following courses and clinical observations that I embarked upon, music therapy became a natural fit for my creative and professional pursuits. Reuniting with my music therapy colleagues from across the country and one of my sisters was an early Thanksgiving to celebrate. Plus it's amazing how traveling a distance enables me to catch up with music therapists that live a short drive away but our paths do not cross often!

New ideas, new ways of thinking, new friendships, and renewed excitement for music therapy

These perks that a colleague remaked on are all reasons why I budget to attend the annual American Music Therapy Conference. Other benefits included enrolling in a mini-institute on documentation, attending networking meetings with other early childhood clinicians and contributors for _imagine early childhood music therapy online magazine, listening to reports and new business of the Southeastern Region of AMTA, sitting in on an assembly meeting, and copresenting on topics of piano competence, clinical supervision and a grant funded program. It is worth the logistics to reschedule sessions, lessons and meetings in order to support the profession.

UPMC reunion

I feel blessed to have returned home safely and resettle into my practice and studio. As the holiday season arrives I wish all of my colleagues and students a restful break and pray that the holiday season will be peace filled for all clients, residents and patients...

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