Simon Gilbertson, DR.RER.MED., RMT: Dr. Gilbertson is an associate professor of music therapy and the program coordinator of the Integrated Master in Music Therapy at The Grieg Academy of Music. He is also a senior researcher at the Grieg Music Therapy Research Centre and University of Bergen, Norway. He will be talking about how music connects us at “cellular, neural, and interpersonal” levels. He will also discuss his views of the “central, peripheral, and social nervous systems in which human life takes place.” He will share examples from music therapy research and practice.
Blythe LaGasse, Ph.D., MT-BC: Dr. LaGasse is coordinator and assistant professor of Music Therapy at Colorado State University. She holds Certification in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) and is a trainer for the NMT Academy. With a strong background in communication neuroscience, her research interests include the use of music to improve communication and cognitive skills in children with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. She will be speaking about autism, music therapy interventions, and current research in these areas.
Wendy Magee, Ph.D., Music Therapist: Dr. Magee is associate professor of music therapy in the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. With over 20 years experience working in neurology at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in London, she pursued a range of research in music therapy with adults with neurological conditions. She has also carried out a number of research studies internationally into music technology in music therapy, and is the editor of the newly published book ‘Music Technology in Therapeutic and Health Settings’. She will be speaking about applications of technology within music therapy with a wide range of populations, and also on emerging theoretical issues related to this practice.
