Music Journey, LLC is excited to announce the release of our Fall 2014 Newsletter: http://www.musicjourney.net/news.html. Enjoy!

Music Journey, LLC is excited to take part in this Saturday's Fall Festival in the borough of Ben Avon. The event takes place on Saturday, September 27th, from 10-4. If you are in the area, please stop by and visit our booth. We will have information on music therapy and you will have an opportunity to ask Music Journey's music therapists any questions you might have about our services. We look forward to seeing you there!

Gut Besser Nicole! Nicole shared her research that explored the experiences of four ground breaking music therapy educators. We are so excited and proud of her presentation and that she shared this important work on Feminist orientation in teaching music therapy.

The presentation was well received with questions and many people stayed over-time to ask questions and offer reflections. Nicole's presentation, seemed to inspire conversations and open up discussions around the overlapping practical beliefs and applications that some music therapists and educators are discovering.

Nicole and Aaron send many thanks to the conference organizers for a wonderful conference so far. We were very moved by the first spotlight session highlighting music therapists perspectives from around the globe including Sumathy Sundar (India), Lia Rejane Mendes Barcellos (Brazil), Gro Trondalen (Norway), Satoko Inoue (Japan), and Michaela Noseck-Licul (Austria) a researcher exploring music therapy and other music healing practices.

Tuesday afternoon, Aaron had great fun in a workshop facilitated by Sylka Uhlig (Netherlands) focusing on vocal play and voice as a "primary instrument in music therapy". The workshop was full of lively and adventurous musicers.

The official Opening Ceremony was full of much fanfare and music. It was great fun to gather with over 1000 music therapists, music therapy students, and other professionals from around the globe on Tuesday evening.

Aaron and Nicole will be among the many attendees at the 2014 World Congress of Music Therapy held in Krems, Austria from July 8-12, sponsored by the World Federation of Music Therapy www.musictherapy2014.org  We are very excited to have the opportunity to meet and learn from music therapists and other professionals from around the globe. 

Nicole will be giving a presentation, Reflections on Feminist Music Therapy Pedagogy in Teaching Music Therapy, based on her research. Check back often as we will be posting and blogging about our adventures in Austria!

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Website: www.musicjourney.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy

It's a new year and a new day. A day for all of us to take a mindful moment to review and rekindle our excitement about our lives. Nicole and Aaron of Music Journey, LLC want to send love and light to everyone as this New Year begins. As we reflect on this New Year's Day, we are reminded of the importance of self-compassion, self-care, and self-forgiveness. In one of the mindfulness music therapy groups that Aaron runs, he works on helping people to develop ways to become mindful with poems, music, and meditation. On this New Year's Day, we hope you all create an opportunity to be mindful and appreciate the moments you live in. 


Please check back for announcements of music therapy groups forming in the New Year. 

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Website: www.musicjourney.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy

We were excited to join 40 music therapists and music therapy students from around Pennsylvania in Harrisburg on Tuesday October 22nd for the first PA MT Hill Day. The Pennsylvania Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force organized the event. The purpose of the Hill Day was to focus attention on the need for clients to be able to access music therapy services  in all counties in the state.

Nicole and Aaron, along with a team of others, met with multiple house and senate members of the Pennsylvania legislature. Specifically, meetings were held with representative from house district 27, Dan Deasy and with state senator Matt Smith of the 37th district where Music Journey's practice is located. We greatly appreciate Representative Deasy and Senator Smith's time and willingness to discuss how music therapy is impacting the lives of people in their districts. 

Here are a few facts about music therapy around PA: There are nine universities and colleges that have music therapy training programs in PA with three of those currently offering graduate training in music therapy. Pennsylvania citizens in 41 counties are receiving music therapy services. Music therapists in PA are working with a wide variety of clients. Specifically, music therapists are helping people with developmental disabilities, mental health problems, neurologic impairments, chronic illnesses, people with hearing, vision and speech impairments, and others in the processes of terminal illness. Overall 412 music therapists are committed to helping improve the lives of people of all ages through out Pennsylvania. A total of 41,000 Pennsylvanians receive music therapy annually.

We here at Music Journey are looking forward to continuing this advocacy effort in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information regarding future music therapy advocacy actions. 
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Website: www.musicjourney.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy

Music Journey, LLC took place in last week's National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) walk in Pittsburgh. It was an honor to take part in this walk and to help raise awareness for this important cause. Below is one of Music Journey's music therapist's reflections on taking part in this walk:


I'm remembering a great walk last Saturday morning with my music therapy colleague Phil and many other smiling people at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) walk at Settlers' Cabin Park (http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR/NEDAWalk/General?fr_id=2400&pg=entry). 


This event began with a cheerful welcome at the registration table as rain began to fall. Yes, it was a soggy 5K walk/hike through the nature trails, but a joyful one. There was information sharing, discussions of hope, and stories of recovery. I am glad to have been able to join in supporting NEDA's work and learning more about the impacts of eating disorders on people here in the 'burgh and around the world.


I send thoughts of hope and ease for everyone who suffers from problems of eating disorders.


Love and Light,
Aaron


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Website: www.musicjourney.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy