CMTE T: Music Therapy for Survivors of War: Blending Performance and Therapy for Healing takes place on Thursday, November 21st – 1:30-6:30 pm and is presented by Samite Mulondo, Rebecca Vaudreuil, BM, NMT-F, NICU MT, MT–BC & Karen Wacks, M.Ed, LMHC, MT-BC.
Register for this session here.
Karen Wacks, answers our questions about this class…
What will you be sharing? 
The focus of our presentation will be on integrating music therapy and music performance for those returning from war – whether in Africa, South America or the United States, there are similar issues that many soldiers experience. Simple songs from Africa will be presented as well as strategies on working with returning soldiers. Building community through music for reintegration is the foundation of this presentation. Elements of post traumatic growth, resiliency, and the power of music will be included.
Music can be a soothing balm that provides comfort and connection to those in need to re-enter society. We will be sharing our experiences and providing specific tools that have been successful in our experience. Performance as therapy will be explored.
Tell us something that makes your CMTE unique or different.
The 3 presenters have a wide variety of experiences in working with survivors of war – both with combatants and with victims of war. Together, as performers and therapists, they provide strong credibility in using music therapy as a healing modality for those in need. Samite is a “Music Spiritualist” who uses music for healing. Karen and Becky are trained therapists who take western music therapy theory and adapt it across cultures. They will be providing live music making and theory that supports the profession of music therapy and validates the importance of having training and experience. ”Survivors of war” can also be a metaphor for addressing both visible and invisible wounds.
Why is this topic of interest to you?
Collectively, we have been practicing music therapy and healing for over thirty years and it is exciting to expand our reach beyond the borders of the United States. Globalization, technology and positive psychology bring our work to a new level. There is a need to support those in need who either have fought for a cause or have been recruited to fight for a cause and now need help coming back into society. Music therapy blended with performance is effective and successful. We are quite interested in continuing to build support for music therapy in this arena.
All three presenters traveled together in Spring 2007 to work with children and families in Kenya impacted by HIV, homelessness and emotional distress.
What kind of information will attendees be walking away with?
Attendees will hopefully become more aware of the importance of cultural competency when working with survivors of war and how to critically think about their needs. Reintegration back into society is essential in reconciliation and trust. Attendees will also acquire some song material and music therapy approaches that can be integrated into their own practices.
Where will attendees be able to implement the information you share?
The information shared from the CMTE can be adapted to work with many marginalized populations in hospitals, schools, community centers and the general public. Community building is the the foundation of this work and materials can be generalized to other settings and populations.
Who should attend your class?
This class is open to professionals as well as students who have an interest in working globally and learning about cultural competence, returning soldiers and community building through music.
About the presenters:
- Samite Mulondo, Executive Director of Musicians for World Harmony, http://www.
musiciansforworldharmony.org/ is both a Ugandan refugee from war in Uganda as well as a gifted performer – As a Music Spiritualist, he has traveled in both Africa and the United States working with many displaced individuals, using music as a healing modality. His personal narrative, coupled with his gifts of performance, composition and teaching, provide a strong backdrop for collaboration with therapists. - Rebecca Vaudreuil, BM, NMT-F, NICU MT, MT–BC earned her music therapy degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston and currently is doing her graduate studies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rebecca developed the Semper Sound Music Therapy Military Program for Resounding Joy in San Diego and has published curriculum for music therapy with military populations. Rebecca has a passion for international music therapy and has traveled to Japan, Africa, Jamaica, and India to engage in and provide music therapy services in schools, orphanages, and infirmaries.
- Karen Wacks, M.Ed, LMHC, MT-BC is a professor in the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has traveled internationally and has worked directly with ex-child soldiers in Northern Uganda and is currently designing a training program for ex-combatants in both Africa and South America. As a graduate of Harvard University, she will be presenting current research on post traumatic growth, positive psychology and music therapy. She serves as the Director of Education and Mental Health Services for Musicians for World Harmony.
CMTE T: Music Therapy for Survivors of War: Blending Performance and Therapy for Healing takes place on Thursday, November 21st – 1:30-6:30 pm and is presented by Samite Mulondo, Rebecca Vaudreuil, BM, NMT-F, NICU MT, MT–BC & Karen Wacks, M.Ed, LMHC, MT-BC.
Register for this session here.
