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2012 Regional Conference
Continuing Music Therapy Education
Presenter’s Biographies
Behrens, Gene Ann, PhD, MT-BC - a Professor and Director of Music Therapy at Elizabethtown College, is interested in research methodology and research integrating emotional development, music, and trauma. She has worked in Bethlehem, OPT, with children traumatized by the on-going conflicts.
Berger, Dorita, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC - is renowned in the field of Music-based Treatment and her work with Autism. Her sensorimotor approach to treatment stems from her knowledge and interest in Physiologic Music Therapy, on which her PhD research is based. A former concert pianist, Dr. Berger has several published books and articles on the subject, has lectured nationally and internationally on physiologic music-based treatment, has served on the faculties of several Universities, was a Fulbright Visiting Lecturer in the Ukraine, and a Montclair State University Global Education Grant recipient to lecture, supervise clinicians, and present at the World Congress for Music Therapy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition to clinical services, Dr. Berger teaches piano to young persons on the spectrum.
Borling, James, MMT, MT-BC - is completing his 30th year on the faculty at Radford University. During that time, he has served as clinical music therapist for several Substance Abuse and Addiction treatment centers in SW Virginia., Currently he is contracting with Avenues to Recovery in Roanoke, VA; working with both the adolescent and adult Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for addictions.
Carpente, John A., Ph.D., MT-BC, LCAT, NRMT - Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Molloy College, is the Founder and Executive Director of The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy, Founding Clinical Director of the Center for Autism and Child Development at Molloy College and is the owner of Developmental Music Health Services. He is an instructor and clinical supervisor for the Nordoff-Robbins certification training program at Molloy College. Dr. Carpente has over 15 years of clinical and supervisory experience working with a wide range of client groups. He has lectured internationally and domestically.
Fay, Maria Hricko, LSW, LCAT, MT-BC - Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, Maria is the Coordinator and Supervisor of the Music Therapy Clinic at Marywood University. She has been supervising undergraduate music therapy students since 1997 and was Clinical Training Director for two interns from Marywood University.
Gadberry, Anita, PhD, MT-BC - is the Director of Music Therapy at Marywood University. She is also the Regional Liaison for the World Federation of Music Therapy. For over a decade, Anita has specialized in music therapy for children with autism.
Gadberry, David, PhD - holds a Ph.D. in Music Education, and he has earned certification in both Kodály and Orff. His research interests include folk music research, music in early childhood, and inclusion of students with special needs in music classrooms.
Gates, Gayle, MA, BC-DMT, LPC - Associate Director of Dance/Movement Therapy Education, Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University. Gayle has presented regionally and nationally on clinical issues, creativity, play and the treatment of children.
Greist, Molly, MMT, MT-BC - has worked with the psychiatric and forensic populations for 17 years. She conducted research on music therapy peer supervision as her culminating project for her master’s of music therapy.
Hartzell, Elizabeth, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC - Assistant Director of Art Therapy Education, Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University. She is widely published and has numerous presentations.
Hilliard, Russell, PhD, LCSW, LCAT, MT-BC - is the National Director of Supportive Care, Research and Ethics at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care and the Founding Director of the Center for Music Therapy in End of Life Care. He is the author of the text, Hospice & Palliative Care Music Therapy and his research has been published a wide variety of scholarly journals.
Ierardi, Flossie, MM, MT-BC, LPC - is Director of Field Education for the Department of Creative Arts Therapies at Drexel University. She has worked as a music therapist with varied populations and age groups, including homebound lower income older adults and youth in detention.
Kim, Seung-A, PhD, AMT, LCAT, MT-BC - is an Assistant Professor at Molloy College and an analytical music therapist at Agape School in N.Y., focusing on work with Korean-American families. She received her doctoral degree from Temple University, specializing in multicultural music therapy. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Kim has worked with a variety of ethnic/racial groups and has also been both Academic and Clinical supervisors. Her specialties include Culturally Informed Music Therapy (CIMT), cross-cultural supervision, and Analytical Music Therapy (AMT). She is the author of several chapters in peer-reviewed books and has presented nationally and internationally.
Leesburg, Marilyn, MMT, MT-BC, FAMI - has been a music therapist for over 20 years, working with a variety of populations. She currently works with developmentally delayed teens and adults.
Lipawen, Patrick, MA, MT-BC - has been a music therapist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia since 1999. He also teaches a course on Technological Applications in Music Therapy at Drexel University.
MacLean, Barbara, LCAT, MT-BC, FAMI - has been a practicing clinician since 1978, spending most of her career in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. She has used music for relaxation with geriatrics, medical, rehabilitation and psychiatric adults.
Murphy, Kathleen M., PhD, MT-BC - earned her doctorate in Music Therapy from Temple University. Celebrating 30 years of clinical practice, Kathy has worked with both adults and children in both clinical and educational settings.
Muller, Bryan J., Ph.D., MT-BC, FAMI - maintains a private psychotherapy practice using Guided Imagery and Music with adult clients. Bryan also teaches undergraduate music therapy courses and guitar at Immaculata University.
Nix-Early, Vivian, PhD, MT-BC - Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer of BuildaBridge International, is involved in training community artists and health workers in the USA and in developing countries to use arts-based intervention methods with children and women experiencing trauma as a result of abuse, war, catastrophe, and disaster.
Nolan, Paul, MCAT, LPC, MT-BC - Director of Music Therapy Education, Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University, is widely published and has presented internationally on creativity and music therapy.
Nolan, Stephanie, BA - early childhood music educator, has worked in many pre-schools, the Family Court of Philadelphia, and presents to educators and creative arts therapists on creativity.
Phillips, Matthew, LSW, MT-BC - Director of Music Therapy and Internship Director at Bethany Children’s Home, is interested in trauma-informed care and clinical applications of technology.
Ritter-Cantesanu, Gabby, MMT, MT-BC - currently works as a music therapist for Baltimore County Public Schools. She currently works with individuals on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities.
Sairam, Trimurthy, PhD - President of the Nada Centre for Music Therapy in India, has done pioneering research on the ethnic concepts and practices relating to music therapy in India. He received his doctorate in alternative medicine, and has since authored several books and articles on music and music therapy. He also directs an online course on the therapeutic application of sounds and has given numerous presentations including AMTA and World Federation.
Schwartz, Elizabeth K., LCAT, MT-BC - practices early childhood music therapy in New York and is an adjunct instructor at Molloy College. She is the author of Music, Therapy, and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach.
Shapiro, Noah, MA, MT-BC, LCAT - is a clinical supervisor at Bellavue Hospital, NY and an adjunct professor at NYU. As a music therapist for 30 years, as a teacher and a supervisor, he has worked with the mentally ill, the elderly, children, students, using voice, guitar, percussion and piano.
Short, Helen, MA is a recent Music Therapy graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London, England. Her approach is largely psychodynamically informed and her clinical work experience spans a range of institutional settings, from special education to general and forensic psychiatry. She currently practices in London in mainstream primary schools with children with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties, a medium-secure unit with female mentally-disordered offenders and a young offenders’ institution.
Shore, Stephen, EdD - himself on the spectrum, is a much sought after lecturer nationally and internationally, on the subject of Autism, sensory processing, and biographic discussions of his personal diagnosis on the spectrum. Dr. Shore is author of numerous books on Autism and Asperger’s, and is professor at Adelphi University, lecturing on Autism, Sensory issues, and approaches to behavioral alterations in diagnosed children. In addition to writing and lecturing, Dr. Shore also teaches private piano and music to children on the Autism spectrum.
Simpson, Judy, MT-BC – is AMTA's Director of Government Relations. She is the co-author of "Music Therapy Reimbursement: Best Practices and Procedures". Clinical experience includes developing programs in hospital settings. She holds the Managed Healthcare Professional Designation from the Center for Insurance Education and Professional Development.
Sonnen, Carolyn, MM, MT-BC - her experience spans many years and clinical areas. Currently she works with persons who have developmental delays, autism, and conditions of aging.
Sorel, Suzanne, DA, MT-BC, LCAT, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapist- is Associate Dean & Director of Graduate Music Therapy at Molloy College where she has been teaching since 1991. She is also Director of Ed & Training at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy where she supervises staff, meets with families, and conducts assessment sessions. Dr. Sorel directs the new Nordoff-Robbins training at Molloy College. Prior to practicing at the Rebecca Center, she practiced for 13 years at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University achieving Level III Certification. She has worked with a variety of populations including children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, speech and language delays, and psychiatric disorders.
Swamy, Sangeeta, PhD, MT-BC, LMHC - is an award-winning musician, educator, scholar, and Board Certified Music Therapist. Committed to cultural sensitivity and social justice through music, she has worked with children, teens and adults from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds for over twenty years. Born in India and raised in Southern Illinois, she brings a lifetime of personal experience with different cultures, as well as experience teaching cross-cultural communication, and power, privilege and oppression in the expressive arts therapies. She has taught at Lesley University, the Metropolitan State College of Denver, and is currently a faculty member at Duke University. She has training in Level II of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music and is the founder of Sound Mind Music Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC, where she facilitates cross-cultural adjustment music therapy programs for children of immigrants.
Yeager, Alyssa, MA, MT-BC - has practiced Music Therapy for 8 years with populations including early intervention, pediatrics, and child psych. She owns Telling Point Music, which provides continuing education opportunities for therapists.