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What
is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used
within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive,
and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs
of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment
including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through
musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are
strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy
also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who
find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy
supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation
and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged
in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their
families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings. (American
Music Therapy Association)
No particular musical ability or training is needed to benefit from music
therapy. Since music is a form of sensory stimulation, it provokes responses
due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated
with it, which eventually leads to therapeutic benefits.
Music Therapy
at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
Because music therapy is increasingly recognized for its unique contribution
to clients’ quality of life, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has teamed
up with providers of health and human services in the greater Milwaukee
metro area to provide clients with easy access to the immense benefits
of music therapy. Music therapy services are available on a contractual
basis, tailor-made to the specific needs of each agency or individual.
Starting with 5 clients in 1993, the music therapy program has grown to
serve over 900 clients during the 2003-2004 school year. Using a pool
of board-certified music therapists, the Conservatory’s music therapy
program guarantees strong expertise as well as flexible scheduling when
designing a customized music therapy program. Financial Aid is available
on a first come-first serve basis.
Outcome-Based
Group and Individual Services
Music Therapy with Children
• Socialization and self-expression
• Stress and anxiety management
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Emotional intimacy with parents and family through creative music experiences
• Stimulation of both brain hemispheres to improve motor, cognitive, and
speech functions
Music Therapy with Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• Exploration of personal feelings and therapeutic issues such as self-esteem
or personal insight
• Support healthy feelings and thought patterns
• Feelings of control over life through successful music experiences
• Opportunities for verbal and non-verbal expression
• Coping and relaxation skills
• Interaction with peers, staff and caregivers, which leads to stronger
personal relationship
Music Therapy with Older Adults
• Increased memory recall
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Creative choice making and feelings of control through successful music
experiences
• Non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort
• Improved emotional intimacy with loved ones through shared music experiences
• Social interaction with peers, staff and caregivers
Music Therapy with Medical Patients
• Relaxation for anxiety and stress reduction
• Non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort
• Improved physical and cognitive function, motor function,
alertness and ability to concentrate, mood states
• Boost immune function
• Decrease isolation Music Therapy with Support Groups
• Non-verbal outlet for emotions associated with traumatic experiences
• Anxiety and stress reduction
• Decreased blood pressure, heart rate
• Increased feelings of control, self-acceptance and self-healing
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Improved relationships and social skills
Music Therapy for Eating Disorders
• Address body image distortions, fears surrounding weight, compulsive
behaviors, low self-esteem
• Decrease depression and anxiety
• Encourage peer support to help prevent relapse
• Increase coping skills
The Conservatory
has provided services for:
• Seniors- attending day centers or living in nursing homes and assisted
living facilities
• Hospitals- ventilator units, cancer counseling centers, radiation oncology
units
• Schools- Milwaukee and Racine Public Schools, Montessori schools
• Social service agencies- Goodwill Industries, Portal Industries, Easter
Seals, residential treatment facilities, Center for the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing, Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps (ARCh),
Bell Therapies, Grand Avenue Club, Juvenile Corrections for Milwaukee,
Family Services of Racine, Waukesha Women’s Center, Milwaukee Women’s
Center
• Early Childhood- Children’s Outing Association, Head Start of Waukesha,
Multicultural Community Services, Penfield Children’s Center, St. Francis
Children’s Center
The Music
Therapy Team
Ten staff members provide a wide variety of specialties in different fields
such as: Geriatrics, Alzheimer’s, physical and developmental disabilities,
mental illnesses, neurology, eating disorders, oncology/cancer counseling,
pediatrics, early childhood, and many more. We guarantee professionalism
and a personal approach to each of our clients.
Bonnie Jean Barczak - Music Therapy Department Chair
WCM faculty member since 1998. MT-BC, WMTR, Music Therapy. B.A., Trinity College (Deerfield, IL); Equivalency, Music Therapy, Alverno College. Ms. Barczak is a board-certified music therapist who has served as Vice President, Continuing Education Chair, and 2005 Great Lakes Regional Conference (Milwaukee) co-chair for the Wisconsin Chapter for Music Therapy. Ms. Barczak has been nominated for the Vice President’s position for the Great Lakes Region, and if elected in November 2007, will serve a two-year term. Ms. Barczak has been the choir director for the Greater Milwaukee Chorale (2000-2007) and Alverno College (2000-2005).
Karen Darga - MT-BC, WMTR, NMT, Music Therapy - WCM faculty member
since 2000. B.M. in Music Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Ms. Darga, a board-certified music therapist who also chairs the early
childhood music program, provides music therapy services in both individual
and group settings for populations ranging from very young children to
the elderly. Ms. Darga also supervises music therapy students and interns.
She received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy and Multimodal
Stimulation in the NICU. Ms. Darga regularly appears throughout the community,
presenting informational programs on music therapy to the public.
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