September 5, 2009 - Remembering Barry Bernstein

"Bongo" Barry Bernstein, 55, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Music Therapy. While a music therapy consultant for the Blue Valley School District he performed at libraries and schools around the region. Barry will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations on behalf of Barry to the Barry Bernstein Education Fund, c/o Healthy Sounds, P.O. Box 40304, Overland Park, KS 66204.

Barry, you were my first introduction to drumming that was accessible to "non-percussionists" at a music therapy conference. I have used the techniques I learned in that course you taught for all 15 years Ive been in practice as a music therapist and will continue to do so. Thank you for all that you have done for the profession. You have made the world a better place.

This week's show is dedicated to Barry Bernstein and will feature some of the percussion techniques I learned from him.

The Music Therapy Show will air on Saturday, September 5, 5:00 EDT/4:00
CDT/3:00 MDT/2:00 PDT at www.blogtalkradio.com/jharrismtbc. The call in number is
646-652-2850. Please share your memories of Barry and your favorite percussion techniques.

August 29, 2009 - No show today

I'm trying to squeeze the last bit of relaxation out of the summer, so I'm taking the day off today. I would love to hear from you about what you like and what topics you would like to hear about.

Enjoy one of the archived shows this weekend.

August 22, 2009 - Secondary Trauma

Secondary trauma or Vicarious Trauma can occur when you see or hear a traumatic event. The trauma does not affect you directly, but you feel its effects. This is NOT a sign of weakness--it is normal to be affected by graphic descriptions of victimization or suffering when you really care about others. People who work directly with trauma can also experience secondary trauma. Nurses, physicians, emergency workers, therapists are all at risk for secondary trauma.

This week, Kimberly Sena Moore will return to talk about secondary trauma and how to take care of yourself.


I'd love to know what you think about this topic or about the show. Please leave a comment and let me know!

August 15, 2009 - No Show

I am hosting the Board of Directors for the Southwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association as President this Saturday. Check in next week, when Kimberly Sena Moore returns as my guest to talk about secondary trauma and self care.

August 8, 2009 -- Chip Music

Scott F is my guest today to talk about 8-bit, or chip, music. I am very excited to learn about this method of music-making and composing. Scott sent over a sample of his work that I am going to play so you can hear what this type of music sounds like.

Listen here.

What do you think of chip music? Leave a comment and let me know!

August 1, 2009 - No Show again

Sorry. I'm just not feeling up to it today. But next week I have a very interesting guest. Scott F will be my guest to talk about Chip Music-music made using 8-bit devices. Please listen to an archived show this week and I'll talk to you live next week.

Thanks for listening!

July 25, 2009 - No Show This Week

I am taking a week off to take care of some personal business, so please enjoy a show from the archives. I would love to hear from you. What do you think about the show? What is your favorite episode? What would you like to hear in the future?

Upcoming topics:
August 8 - Scott will tell us about Chip Music
August 22 - Kimberly Sena Moore returns to talk about secondary trauma and self-care

Would you like to share information about music therapy? Contact me for a guest packet and to schedule an interview!

July 18, 2009 - Drumming up Health!

Kalani is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, educator, and presenter. With over 30 years of professional experience in a variety of fields, Kalani’s work honors past traditions while expanding the fields of music education, music therapy, and wellness.

Kalani continues to develop programs and resources for teachers, therapists, and the general public. His Living in Rhythm program offers effective and accessible music-based strategies for improving quality of life through the practice of Organic Holistic and Nurturing Arts. As a longtime student of psychology, fitness, and music, Kalani believes that a healthful lifestyle includes an integrative approach, incorporating music, movement, diet, and mind/body practices. He is currently a Music Therapy student at California State University Northridge.

I am honored to have Kalani as my guest this week to talk about his current work in the area of wellness as related to the Living in Rhythm program and the concept of OHANA (Organic, Holistic, and Nurturing Arts) as a way to help bring healthful, accessible, and supportive practices to the general public, and how drumming is used in music therapy.

Listen live at 5 PM EDT/4 PM CDT/3 PM MDT/2 PM PDT and call in to join the discussion: 646-652-2850.

July 11, 2009 - Strength-Based Improvisation

In this week's show, I'll be talking with Lisa Jackert and Robin Rio about Strength-Based Improvisation.

Strength-Based Improvisation is a new approach that is geared for participants with any amount of improvisation experience. Participants may use the instrument of their choice, which can include percussion or voice. Non-threatening experiential opportunities are aimed at personal exploration while simultaneously learning approaches to engage clients.

Lisa Jackert, MA, MT-BC has 20 years of experience in adult/geriatric psychiatry, substance abuse, eating disorders, and wellness. Currently employed by Community Hospital of Long Beach and operates a private practice. She has been a clinical training director and past professor of Music Therapy at Chapman University. She received the award for Professional Practice at the 2005 Western Regional Conference. She is also a FAMI-candidate of the Association of Music and Imagery and has been focusing on the use of The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music with infertility and pregnancy. Currently, Lisa is on the Board of Directors for the American Music Therapy Association.

Robin Rio, MA, MT-BC is professor of music therapy at Arizona State University. She also has many years of experience working with a variety of populations, including the geriatric population and the homeless. She is also is on the Editorial Board for Music Therapy Perspectives and has recently written the book: Connecting through Music: Music Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care. Currently, Robin is serving as a member of the Ethics Board for the American Music Therapy Association and has past served the Western Region of AMTA as Vice President.

For more information on Strength-Based Improvisation, click here.

July 4, 2009 - No show today.

I intended to do a special Holiday Edition of the show this week, but I am working on a new product that I hope to share with you all next week and I don't want to lose that momentum! So here is the information I was going to share on the show:

Music is essential for life. Otherwise, why would people bother making music after traumatic experiences, like the Oklahoma City Bombing, when a music therapist was asked to sing Amazing Grace over and over again to provide some comfort for the people in her building a few blocks from the Federal Building? Or why would quartets be written in Nazi concentration camps by Messiaen?

So making music for yourself or with others is important and each week I will share with you information about how music will affect your life and how to make music a part of your healthy living. Since this weekend is Independence Day, let's look at patriotic music and incorporate some ways to use it this weekend.

How many patriotic songs do you know? There are four primary patriotic songs that most people know: America (My Country 'Tis of Thee), America the Beautiful, The Star-Spangled Banner, and God Bless America. (I also like to include Take Me Out to the Ballgame as a patriotic song!) Singing these songs with your family can help bring the family together, and can help teach your children some patriotic concepts (not to mention vocabulary). Whenever you attend a sporting event where the National Anthem is sung, be sure to sing out with pride, whether you can sing in the key that the performer selects or not! This is our song and we should sing it with pride.

Here are five tips for using patriotic music this weekend:
• Play some Sousa marches as background music for your 4th of July cookout
• Sing God Bless America with your family before heading out to see the fireworks
• Attend a parade and see how many patriotic songs you can identify
• Play name-that-tune with songs of each branch of the military
• Listen to America the Beautiful (or play it on your favorite instrument) and reflect on what makes this nation great, remembering that what you think about, you bring about

Thanks for listening! Let me know what you think.

Janice

June 27, 2009 - No show this week

There's no show this week because I'm traveling to Baltimore to attend meetings for the American Music Therapy Association. I think I'm actually giving a report during my showtime! I'll be back next week, July 4, for a special holiday edition of the show.

Take a moment to listen to an archived show and leave a comment on my blog to let me know what you think!

Thanks for listening.

June 20, 2009 - Music Therapy with Trauma/Attachment Disorders

Join me this week with my guest, Kimberly Sena Moore, MM, NMT, MT-BC, the Director of Neurosong Music Therapy Services, Inc. (Join me this week with Kimberly Sena Moore, MM, NMT, MT-BC, the Director of Neurosong Music Therapy Services, Inc. (www.neurosong.com). She founded Neurosong (formerly KMS Music Therapy) in 2005, which now treats clients with trauma and attachment issues, neurologic disorders, and special needs. Kimberly has advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy and uses a neuro-based approach in her clinical work. She founded Neurosong (formerly KMS Music Therapy) in 2005, which now treats clients with trauma and attachment issues, neurologic disorders, and special needs. Kimberly has advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy and uses a neuro-based approach in her clinical work.

Listen live Saturday, June 20, at 5:00 Eastern/4:00 Central/3:00 Mountain/2:00 Pacific by clicking http://blogtalkradio.com/jharrismtbc or calling 646-652-2850.

June 13, 2009 - Pastoral Music Therapy

My guest this week is Dr. Charles Gourgey. Charles (Carlos) Gourgey is a Board Certified Music Therapist and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist with two decades of hospice experience. He has also worked in various nursing homes and published articles on psychology, disability, and religion, and is the author of the articles on his web site, MusicIsHope.org.

His approach is called Pastoral Music Therapy. This approach addresses the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Drawing upon the music of different cultures and traditions to tailor the therapy to the individual, Pastoral Music Therapy can create a link between the impaired person and family members even when verbal communication is no longer possible. Music can help mobilize the person's inner resources, building resistance to fear and depression. Music can also create shared experiences between these people and their families, maintaining communication and relationship even until the very last moment of life.

Click here to listen.

May 23, 2009 - Here's a quick way to adjust your attitude!

We can influence the music we hear and the messages we hear in our heads. Take a minute to pay attention to your soundscape. Do you hear traffic, or computer-buzzing? Are you listening to the news? Is it positive or negative? Are you listening to music? What are the messages in the music? Do they help you to feel good and stay positive or are they negative messages?

Choose music and messages that help create the life you want for yourself. Take a music bath-surrounding your senses with music that makes you feel wonderful! Create the attitude you want to have for yourself by listening to music that reinforces that attitude.

I would love to talk to YOU on my show this weekend!

Call in to talk to me about the music influencing your life at 646-652-2850 on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 5 EDT/4 CDT/3 MDT/2 PDT.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

May 16, 2009 - Cardiovascular health

We all know that music makes us feel good and that it can help us relax. We also know that chronic stress causes blood vessels to become rigid and the risk for arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) increases as we age. But did you know that music can affect our cardiovascular system?

CNN posted an article recently about some research a cardiologist did with music. The story concludes that
- Music, like laughter, opens up blood vessels and produces protective chemicals
- Constricted vessels can lead to high blood pressure, increase heart attack risk
- Hospitals across the country use music therapy to help patients heal

This week I'll be discussing that article and talking about music therapy and cardiovascular health.

Check out the article here.