Global Perspectives on Addressing Systemic Issues in Music Therapy Curricula and Healthcare

Authors

  • Amy Clements-Cortés Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Melissa Mercadal-Brotons Music Therapy Master's Program, Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, Spain
  • Hakeem Leonard Music Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA
  • Vivian Chan Koru Music Psychotherapy & Creative Arts Therapy Studio, Hong Kong
  • Gro Trondalen Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway
  • Tao-Deva Stingl University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria
  • Thomas Stegemann Department of Music Therapy and the Music Therapy Research Centre Vienna (WZMF) at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria
  • Claudia Zanini Music Therapy in Special Education and Mental Health at UFG - Federal University of Goiás, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v24i1.3861

Keywords:

music therapy; ethics; cultural diversity; societal issues; education and training

Abstract

The discipline of music therapy is practiced differently across the globe and over the years, in all regions of the world, the number of music therapy training programs has expanded. As such, there is a need to reflect on the differences between education and training programs, which vary according to the local culture, educational needs, theoretical background, and scope, among others. Music  therapists work in a variety of environments including hospitals, community centres, regular or special education schools, speciality clinics, private practice, and long-term care homes, etc. Music therapists are tasked with navigating policies in their workplaces and balancing the needs of their clients/consumers/service users. This article written together by educators and a student aims to present brief highlights of the work of the authors whose collaboration resulted in a presentation at the European Congress of Music Therapy in June 2022. This presentation focused on the challenges and issues faced by the discipline of music therapy and health in general, based on the analysis of systemic issues in education and training, social issues, and significant issues such as multiculturalism, equity, and race around the world. These were identified as important issues for the authors who desired to raise awareness on these topics to further open ongoing dialogue. Our aim is to contribute to the establishment of dialogues between music therapy educators, allied health professionals, researchers, and students for the implementation of new courses and the updating of existing programs, expanding views on possible music therapy interventions in contemporary times.

 

Acknowledgement

Marisol Norris and Hyun Ju Chong were also part of this working group, and we want to thank them for their contributions to our work.

Editorial note: This acknowledgement was unfortunately omitted from the version of record of the publication.

Author Biographies

Amy Clements-Cortés, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, Canada

Amy Clements-Cortés, PhD, RP, MTA, MT-BC, is an Associate Professor, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto; Research & Ethics Chair of the World Federation of Music Therapy & Managing Editor of the Music and Medicine journal. Her research contributions have had a significant impact in the understanding of understudied phenomenon, resulting in excelled treatments provided by professionals in music and medicine. This includes: relationship completion for individuals at end-of-life, vibroacoustic therapy and singing protocols for persons diagnosed with dementia, as well as experiences in music therapy internships.

Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, Music Therapy Master's Program, Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, Spain

Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, PhD, MT-BC, SMTAE, is Vice-director of Academic Affairs and director of the Master Program in Music Therapy at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, Past-President of the World Federation of Music Therapy. She is a member of the Standards and Training Commission of the European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC). As a clinician and researcher, she has focused on the area of dementia and their caregivers and has published extensively nationally and internationally.

Hakeem Leonard, Music Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA

Hakeem Leonard, PhD, MT-BC, is Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Assistant Provost for Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia (US). His current research interests are culturally sustaining practices, cultural aesthetics, desire-based learning and practice, and lifespan development. He has a passion for walking alongside people in their developmental growth process as whole persons and reclaiming contexts that support holistic well-being.

Vivian Chan, Koru Music Psychotherapy & Creative Arts Therapy Studio, Hong Kong

Vivian Chan, BFA(Hons), MMT, MT-BC, MTA, is President of the World Federation of Music Therapy, currently practicing in Hong Kong. Her areas of expertise involve providing music psychotherapy services to individuals with mental health issues, cancer patients and their primary caregivers, at-risk youth, and music therapy services to children with special needs. Her passion lies in assisting individuals enhance their quality of life and attain holistic well-being through her work.

Gro Trondalen, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway

Gro Trondalen, PhD, MA-MT, FAMI, is a professor in music therapy and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research in Music and Health (CREMAH) at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway. Trondalen is an experienced researcher, music therapy clinician, teacher, supervisor of Master and Research Fellows (PhDs) and music therapy clinicians in child welfare and adult mental health. Trondalen has contributed to the international scene with her scholarly expertise in developing theory, particularly in music, relationships, and ethics. Her expertise as a researcher, leader, and manager is evident in her international, national, and local activities.

Tao-Deva Stingl, University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria

Tao-Deva Stingl, BA, has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Violin and is currently enrolled in the Master’s program of Ethnomusicology and the Bachelor program of Music Therapy at mdw-University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, where she is also functioning as student representative. Her current research interests are connected to Musics in different Communities, Cultures and Societies and how to integrate some of these aspects into music therapy.

Thomas Stegemann, Department of Music Therapy and the Music Therapy Research Centre Vienna (WZMF) at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria

Thomas Stegemann, MD, PhD, child and adolescent psychiatrist, licensed music therapist, and family therapist. Head of the Department of Music Therapy and the Music Therapy Research Centre Vienna (WZMF) at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria. Main research/teaching areas: neurobiology; ethics; children, adolescents and families.

Claudia Zanini, Music Therapy in Special Education and Mental Health at UFG - Federal University of Goiás, Brazil

Claudia Zanini Music therapist, Researcher, Doctor of Health Sciences, Master of Music, Specialist in Music Therapy in Special Education and Mental Health at UFG - Federal University of Goiás. Professor of Music Therapy of the Undergraduate in Music Therapy of the UFG (1999-2021). She is currently the president of the Gerontology department of the Goiás section of the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, and member of the WFMT Education and Certification Commission and of the Ethics Council of UBAM Brazilian Union of Music Therapy Associations.

Photo of Authors,  Clements-Cortés et al.

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Published

2024-03-01

How to Cite

Clements-Cortés, A., Mercadal-Brotons, M., Leonard, H., Chan, V., Trondalen, G., Stingl, T.-D., … Zanini, C. (2024). Global Perspectives on Addressing Systemic Issues in Music Therapy Curricula and Healthcare. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v24i1.3861

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