Top 5 Music Therapy Topics of the Past 3 Weeks

I’m baaaack!

It feels like it’s been a long time since I wrote! A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks: I’ve traveled with two young kids, moved to a new house, invaded my mom’s house for a couple weeks, attended a family wedding, spent time on the beach, and overall took it easy. Well, except for the moving part.

We finally got our internet hooked up yesterday (yay!!!), so I’ve spent a good amount of time today trying to get “caught up.” And there were some really exciting things that happened while I was gone!

So since I haven’t gotten a chance to share these with you on Twitter or Facebook, I thought I’d share them with you here and now…the top 5 music therapy news items of the past couple weeks:

1. Music Therapy and Stroke Rehabilitation. Researcher and music therapist Joke Bradt was the lead researcher in this study that made it’s way around last week. The researchers found that rhythmic auditory stimulation (a music therapy technique that utilizes rhythm to coordinate walking movements) can help people who’ve had a stroke re-learn how to walk again. It’s not brand-new information, but when it comes to research and evidence-based practice, everything helps!
2. Music Therapy Research Blog. Speaking of research and evidence-based practice…a friend of mine, Blythe Lagasse, started this blog last month. The intent is to share research relevant to the working music therapist so that he/she will be able to maintain the best evidence-based practice possible. To check it out, visit www.MusicTherapyResearchBlog.com.
3. Music Therapy and Cancer: A Music Video. This video and link was sent to me by Deborah, a videographer at MD Anderson Cancer Center. It shares a song written by a cancer survivor, in collaboration with music therapist Michael Richardson, about her cancer journey and the role music played in her life. A heart-warming video you can watch here.
4. Music Therapy Online Conference: The first online music therapy conference is being organized by John Lawrence, a music therapist in Canada. The conference will be help in March 5-6 2011 and the official Call for Papers was recently posted. Click here if you’re interested in more information.
5. Music Therapy CD Launch. I’ve mentioned and linked to my friend’s blog many times over the past year…and she’s given me a reason to do it again! Rachel Rambach of the blog Listen and Learn Music has just launched her first professional studio CD! The album includes 10 of her songs. It’s intended for kids of all ages and abilities and is available to you for free. Visit www.TimeToSingHello.com for more information.

So I think we’re about caught up now! I’m working on getting back in the swing, so be looking for blog entries to continue every Tuesday and Thursday. In the meantime, feel free to connect with me by either leaving a comment below or by contacting me directly.

Tagged as: bloggers, cancer, Conference, evidence based practice, Music Therapy, OCMT2011, research