* CARING, ENGAGEMENT & HOPE - ADDRESSING LONELINESS IN DEMENTIA
Research indicates one out of every two individuals living with dementia suffer from chronic loneliness. Studies suggest that peer support is a powerful effective approach to loneliness—if the right structures and training are in place. Dr. Kristine Theurer will share research results of a pilot evaluating an innovative approach to loneliness called Java Memory Care. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience this approach by walking through the steps of the program. Inspiring stories of caring, engagement and hope among participants—despite the mental and physical challenges—will be shared. Attendees will leave with a practical takeaway strategy handout.
THE SINGING SOUL
The Singing Soul is spontaneous, in-the-moment singing; the unveiling of our very uniqueness in melody, harmony, and rhythm…our stories, in words, and beyond them. There are no wrong notes and there’s nothing to memorize, just breathe and sing….ahh!
Sessions begin with physical and vocal warming, improv style! A variety of clearly outlined structures are offered, each of which generates different experiences and outcomes. Sessions are punctuated with pauses to process our learnings together. You’ll strengthen your abilities as a vocal musician in creating melodies and harmonies, laying down vocal percussion grooves and bass lines, and gelling with others in creating freewheeling counterpoint that just begs a soloist - then becoming that too!
Experience new roles and genres in your music-making. The synergy of improvisation inspires and empowers as we enable each other to discover creative new terrain vocally, musically, and expressively.
(Max 20 per session)
MEET IN THE MUSIC: PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR WORKING WITH THE AUTISTIC CHILD
This workshop will discuss a background of autism, considerations, and offer the participants practical ideas of incorporating music into their interactions with the autistic child.
These musical components will require no instruments or musical ability, but simply an openness to explore rhythmic and melodic realms of interaction, including the use of pre-recorded music selections. Come enjoy this fun and experiential workshop!
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Esther has specialized since 1996 in the field of Autism and special needs. After over a decade on faculty at Capilano University, teaching in the Bachelor of Music Therapy Program, Esther continues to enjoy presenting at conferences, writing book reviews for published journals, & holding workshops for universities, local agencies and internationally. In 2014, Esther completed Dr. Diane Austin's (Music Psychotherapy Center, NY) first international distance training program in Advanced Vocal Psychotherapy. Her publication in the book: Voicework in Music Therapy (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), focuses on her innovative method of Vocal-Led Relaxation for Children with Autism.
Esther created Meet In The Music© (MITM) music therapy curriculum for children with autism, which is utilized by music therapists throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Esther is Executive Director of ET Music Therapy in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where the team serve over 120 families with both in person and telehealth: in two studio locations, & in schools, implementing the MITM curriculum. In 2017, Esther received the Iconic Women Creating a Better World For All Award, presented by the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi, India. Recently, Esther received CAMT’s (Canadian Association For Music Therapy) PEER RECOGNITION AWARD for innovation and advocacy.
CREATING PERSON-CENTRED
MUSIC CARE PROGRAMS
This workshop explores the role that music can play in creating person-centred programs in care through the musiccare CONNECT streaming app. musiccare CONNECT puts over 700 purposely designed songs, videos and activities at your fingertips which enables personalized playlists and programs to be developed as needed by caregivers.
This workshop will include a few key strategies from the standard music care training curriculum and how they can be applied in care spaces to deepen relationships and improve care outcomes working alongside the CONNECT app.
* CURRENT MUSIC CARE RESEARCH
Music holds tremendous interest for research in various sectors.
Each research track workshop will feature four – fifteen minute presentations (8 in total) on clinical and programmatic research projects in Canada that focus on the effects and impact music has on health and well-being.
1. Using Music Care for Personal & Professional Resilience
Aimee Berends
2. Caregiver Confidence Using
Music Scale
Chelsea Mackinnon
3. Music Therapy and the Advancement of Family-Centred Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
A Philosophical Inquiry
Carol Weidemann
4. Arts on Prescription
Carolyne Clare