Diversity, Identity, Transformation

By Cheryl Dileo

I recently returned from the fantastic 7th Nordic Music Therapy Conference held in Jyvaskyla, Finland. Having the opportunity to hear excellent keynotes and papers on such a wide range of topics was inspiring. Certainly the diversity in music therapy theory, research and practice is what has sustained me professionally throughout the years. This diversity is one of the themes that run through this issue. Other themes include music and identity and music as transformation.

A study by Elvie Miller, Music Therapy Students’ Experiences of Interactions with Young Clients During Fieldwork Placements, describes how music-making between therapists and clients assists in the development of identity for young clients as well as their student therapists. In a similar way, White’s article, Personal Reflections on working as a Music Therapist, Music Therapy Groups and Music Making, provides a view of the interrelatedness of our identities as music therapists and musicians. In contrast, Aluede discusses the difficulties of differentiating the identity of music therapy from traditional music healing practices in A Preliminary Bibliographical Guide to Doctoral Theses on Music in Nigeria (1990 – 2010).

The theoretical diversity of our discipline is more than apparent in Intveen’s and Edwards’ The History and Basic Tenets of Anthroposophical Music Therapy. Moreover, the diversity of our World Congresses is highlighted in Barbara Wheeler’s interviews with organizers and attendees of the memorable 10thWorld Congress in Cambridge, U.K.

At times, however, our diversity can present a source of conflict. Otera’s article, Exploration and Application of Dissolution Approaches for Belief Conflicts in Music Therapy, is timely in its presentation of a methodology to both address and prevent belief conflicts in the profession.

Finally, the role of music and the arts as a means for transformation is detailed in Alpha Woodward’s comprehensive and compelling review, Arts-Based Practices in Regions Affected By War.

A special and large section of this issue is rightfully devoted to commemorating our teacher, colleague and friend, Dr. Clive Robbins who has contributed his transformative approach to the beautiful diversity of music therapy practice. Clive’s spirit, generosity, vitality and passion will not soon be forgotten. We will always remember.