Moving Our Profession Forward: Inspiring Community Practices

Keynote Address: “Bridges and Borders in Music Therapy Community Practices: Drinking From a Deeper Well”, by Dr. Alpha Woodward, PhD, MTA, FAMI

From January 2004-2007 Dr. Woodward was the field director for an international team of music therapists working with children and youth who had been traumatized during the Balkan wars (1990-1995). Since 2010 she has been instructing and directing music therapy programs in Canada, Ireland and the USA. Her publications, usually in narrative form, feature ecological practices in healthcare settings and the community building potential of arts-based practices in war affected regions. She has presented her humanitarian work internationally including the Ukraine, USA, Argentina, Sweden, Ireland, and Croatia. In 2007, she received Capilano University’s inaugural alumni award for her work in Bosnia. She is delighted to come full circle back to Capilano University, teaching in the very program she received her training.

Concurrent Presentations:

Presenter Bios & Headshots

• Erin Parr, MTA: “Multi-tool – Music therapy at Ronald McDonald House”
• Micaela Pirritano, MTA, MA (Candidate): “Fostering a Lifelong Connection to Music with Autistic Youth: A Disability Justice Framework”
• Noele Bird, MMT, RCC, FAMI, Trainer of the Bonny Method of GIM: “Collective Healing through GIM”
• Jude Pereira, BMT, MTA, MT-BC: “The Intersectionality of diversity, equity and inclusion in community music therapy: A heuristic inquiry into the practice of community music therapy, emphasizing play and improvisation, in long term care.”
• Supriya Crocker, MTA, MA (Candidate), BMT, BSc: “Fostering Community with Therapeutic Songwriting”
• Chris Brandt: Building Community – Engaging with Donors, Administrators, and Other Professions