Here is the Winter edition of your MAR-AMTA newsletter, Tuning In to Rx Music. In this edition, you will find reports from appointed officers of the MAR-AMTA Executive Board, recent committee work, and information about the upcoming MAR conference.

I would like to thank Mel for years of service to the region as assistant editor as she steps down from her role with the MAR. Best wishes for your future journeys! See Mel's message below...

Now please enjoy your Winter read and...thanks for Tuning In to Rx Music!

As always, feel free to give newsletter feedback by emailing:

editor@maramta.org

Announcement From Your Assistant Editor:

Dear MAR community,

I am writing to you all in this Winter Edition of our Newsletter to make you aware of my decision to resign from my role as Assistant Editor. This was not an easy decision to make, and I know I will greatly miss working with the MAR Board and community. It has been such a pleasure to work in this role for the past few years, and I thank you all for entrusting me with ensuring timely emails were sent out regarding MAR events and news. I have learned and grown so much, and owe so many thanks to the MAR Board and community for this opportunity.

I am forever grateful,

Mel

Sponsor Ads

Reports

President

President-Elect

Immediate Past President

Vice President for Membership

Government Relations

Treasurer Report

Vice President for Conference Planning

Student Affairs

MAR Assembly Chair

International Relations Committee

Graduate Music Therapy Applications for Molloy University due by February 15^th!

• More information- Music Therapy | Molloy University: Affordable undergraduate and graduate degree programs at one of the top colleges in America. or LHeller@molloy.edu

Happy New year,

You have hopefully received communications about the upcoming vote on merging the Constitution and Bylaws into one document. This is a purely editorial change to increase clarity and accessibility. Thank you to Donna Polen for a huge amount of work merging the documents and writing the rationale. You can see all pertinent information here: https://mar-amta.org/constitution-and-bylaws/ Please be on the lookout for the upcoming ballot in your email. 

I’m looking forward to conference in Niagara and hope to see many of you in person. We will be sharing our safety action plan for the MAR and hope to work collaboratively on it with you all. This will be a living, changing document that aims to help guide us all to a safer and more equitable community.

I have been working with the nominating committee as we get ready for upcoming election for the Board of Directors and Assembly of Delegates. I hope you’ll consider running and working with us.

Please email any thoughts, concerns, or questions to presidentelect@marmata.org.

Wishing you all peace and justice,  Audrey Hausig

Dear members and friends of the MAR-AMTA,

The Nominating Committee is pleased to share the results of the special election Treasurer-Elect: please join us in welcoming Lora Robinson who will serve as Treasurer-Elect until the new Executive Board transitions on July 1, 2023, when she will then transition to the role of Treasurer. 

Congratulations Lora and we thank you for your willingness to serve the Region

I would like to thank the Nominating Committee members, Bethany Lindeblad, Nicole Hahna, Audrey Hausig, and committee consultant Becki Warren, for their work in helping put on this special election. I am grateful for their continued time, energy, and support in being a part of this important committee. In addition, I would like to thank Mark Ahola and Melissa Srolovitz in helping run Constant Contact, emailing ballots, and compiling the results. Thank you all for what was truly a team effort!

Now it is time to turn our attention to the upcoming general election happening this spring. The Nominating Committee has been meeting and will put out an official call for nominations in February. We will be looking for people to run for the following positions:

• President-Elect (6 year term)
• Vice President for Membership (2 year term)
• Vice President for Conference Planning - Elect (4 year term)
• Treasurer-Elect (4 year term)
• Government Relations Chair - Elect (4 year term)
• Public Relations Chair (2 year term)
• Assembly Delegates (2 year term that follows calendar year)

If you are interested in running for a position on the Executive Board or want to learn more about what it means to serve in this way, please join us on January 30th at 7:30 PM EST for an informational meeting open to all interested. Below is the login information for this meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89812913838?pwd=SmJwUjZtZHlwYy9BTElXZnFpTHhBUT09 

Meeting ID: 898 1291 3838

Passcode: 720967

Additionally, if you are interested in running or would like more information, please use the following form and a member of the Nominating Committee will be in touch with you.

https://forms.gle/bEZC3QTXoqDNmLtS8 

I hope everyone stays warm and healthy as we journey through the second half of this winter season and I hope to “see” as many of you as possible (either in person or online) at our upcoming conference. As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at pastpresident@maramta.org

In service,

Beth Deyermond, MA, MT-BC

Immediate Past President

Dear MAR Music Therapy Community,

I hope the New Year has gotten off to a healthy and productive start for all of you! 

Toward the end of 2022, the national Membership Committee worked hard on a proposal to restructure membership fees for the 2023 membership year, which unfortunately did not pass in the Assembly. We aim to propose these changes again for the 2024 membership year. Briefly, we hope to change membership fees to allow for a sliding scale that would reduce the annual membership fee by 0 - 37% depending on which level of membership fee each individual would choose to pay. Membership benefits would remain the same no matter which level of fee was paid. We will continue to work to clarify proposed administrative procedures and policies regarding the percentage of membership dues paid out to each regional association. This initiative was undertaken in an effort to make membership in AMTA (and by extension, membership in the regional associations) more accessible and equitable to all.

Update on Anti-Harassment Policy: The current policy (American Music Therapy Association Anti-Harassment Policy) is outdated regarding reporting procedures for harassment related grievances. Therefore, for the upcoming regional conference in Niagara Falls, please direct any concerns regarding harassment to me (Clarissa) at vpmembership@maramta.org. Please include your cell phone number so that I may reach out to you directly. Alternately, you may visit the registration table and ask for conference personnel to text me.

It is still scholarship season! We are still accepting applications for the Mid-Atlantic Region Scholarship for Racial Minority Students. The due date for this scholarship was mistakenly advertised in the last newsletter as December 15, 2022; however, because this scholarship is awarded at the regional conference (March 9th - 11th, 2023 in Niagara Falls), we still have time to accept applications. The deadline has been extended to February 15, 2023. The scholarship description and link to apply are below.

We are also now accepting applications for the Janet C. Murphy Memorial Conference Award, which is also described and linked below. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2023.

In service,

Clarissa Lacson, PhD, MT-BC

Vice President for Membership

Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association

______________________________________________________________

The Mid-Atlantic Region Scholarship for Racial Minority Students is specifically designed to contribute to the advancement of minority students within the field of music therapy. An award in the amount of $250 will be offered to one (1) racially underrepresented degree-seeking members to offset the cost of attendance in an AMTA approved music therapy program. Academic costs may include tuition, fees, books, and/or room and board. 

To be considered for this scholarship, please complete the following application by 11:59 pm EST on February 15, 2023. Applicants will need to state professional benefit of receiving the award and demonstrate financial need. Eligible applicants must identify as a racial minority, be a member of AMTA in good standing, enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an AMTA approved music therapy program located in the MAR, and/or completing an internship in the MAR, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate financial need. Applications will be assigned an ID number, then distributed and reviewed independently by members of an independent review panel. The panel will return their ratings and the highest-ranked essays will be selected. The award recipients will receive notification during the MAR conference in Niagara Falls, March 9 - 11, 2023. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at vpmembership@maramta.org.

Link to apply: https://forms.gle/LjmnokdJH7qgnW3Z8

______________________________________________________________

The Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) Janet C. Murphy Memorial Conference Award offers monetary assistance to MAR-AMTA members to support member involvement at the regional conference. 

The award recipient will receive:

• Free conference registration
• Free participation in CMTE courses and Institutes (professional member only)
• $250 to offset conference-related expenses

To be considered for the MAR Janet C. Murphy Memorial Conference Award, please complete the following application by February 15, 2023. You must be a current MAR-AMTA member in good standing to qualify for the award. Professionals and students may apply for this award. Your one-page narrative (400 words or less) will be assigned an ID number, then distributed and reviewed independently by members of an anonymous review panel. The panel will return their ratings and the applicants with the highest-ranked essays will be selected. Award winners will be notified by email. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at vpmembership@maramta.org

Link to apply: https://forms.gle/KHHC9j3qVyVGU2K29

Please note: The Mid-Atlantic Region of the AMTA maintains a formalized relationship with seven state task forces within the region (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia). These state task forces work: 1) collaboratively with AMTA and CBMT to implement the State Recognition Operational Plan; and 2) to fulfill the AMTA mission of increasing awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increasing access to quality music therapy services within their state. For information regarding updates or current initiatives for a specific task force, please contact the GR Chair, GR Chair-Elect, or the specific state task force chair(s).

For information regarding updates or current initiatives of any other city, state, or regional-based coalition or organization, please contact that group directly.

Regional Updates:

*Licensure Achieved (in hand or in the process of writing regulations) 

• DESTF (Chair: Gina Greeson) 
• Currently recruiting co-chair. If anyone is interested in serving, please contact Stephenie Sofield (governmentrelations@maramta.org) or Tatyana Martin (governmentrelationselect@maramta.org).
• No current activities.

• MDSTF* (Co-Chairs: Tatyana Martin, Elizabeth Smith) 
• Licensure:
• Congratulations on 1 year having the license!!
• Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMTs) Running Total in State: 147, as a result of the SB 82 the music therapy licensure bill, which went into effect January 1, 2022.
• The Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists added a “Law Exam” to the license application. All music therapists applying for the license will need to take this free open book law exam. Currently licensees will take the law exam when their license is renewed.  
• If you have any question about obtaining the MT license in MD, please contact the MDSTF at: mdstate.task.force@gmail.com 
• NJSTF* (Chair: Paula Unsal) 
• As of Sept 20th, the music therapy sub-committee, under the Board of Creative Arts and Activities Therapies, has completed writing the MT license regulations. Keep an eye out for any calls to action as NJ moves forward with this next step!
• NYSTF (Chair: Donna Polen) 
• The NYSTF is continuously monitoring LCAT activities as it relates to MT licensure
• New York’s music therapy licensing bill, bill A123, has been pre-filed for the 2023 legislative session!!! Please keep an eye out for correspondence from NYSTF for next steps
• PASTF (Co-Chairs: Michelle Muth and Nicole Hahna) 
• PASTF is currently working on next steps for advocacy regarding the MT license. Stay tuned for any upcoming calls to action.
• Phase 2 (Southwest region) of the Statewide Music Therapy Initiative for Health Care Workers is under way. This is a collaboration with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the Pennsylvania Music Therapy Task Force. This 500,000 grant is the first ever; statewide initiative that is being rolled out in 3 phases. It is also the largest grant the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts has ever given and largest funding initiative to date for music therapy in the USA. For more information see: https://www.haponline.org/Public-Health/Nurturing-Health-Communities/Music-Therapy
• VASTF* (Chairs: Shelby Reynolds) 
• VASTF is meeting regularly with the MAR and national GR teams for guidance with decisions regarding regulation writing and reimbursement. 
• VASTF will be sending out a survey to VA MTs to guide the future efforts of the task force in supporting stakeholders across the state
• The members of Advisory Board of Music Therapy have been posted to the Virginia board of social work page: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/social/social_board.htm. 
• The VASTF is in correspondence with the regional and national teams to review drafted recommendations for regulation.
• WVSTF (Chair: Nancy Marmorella) 
• Currently recruiting co-chair. If anyone is interested in serving, please contact Stephenie Sofield (governmentrelations@maramta.org) or Tatyana Martin (governmentrelationselect@maramta.org).
• No current activities.

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a happy and restful holiday season and new year. Here is what we’ve been up to the last couple of months. 

The 2023 budget was drafted by the treasurer and approved by the board. It remains very similar to last year’s budget. As usual, we are hoping to strike a balance between being financially conservative and responsible to ensure the long-term longevity of the region, while still supporting all board activities and the membership. Our biggest expense, but also our biggest source of income, is our annual conference, which is in person this year at Niagara Falls. We are excited to see you all there!

Additionally, due to some structural changes at the national level, the MAR has signed their own agreement with Arrow Bookkeeping, our accounting firm, to help us keep the books and prepare the necessary tax documents. 

And finally, the most important news – we have elected a new treasurer-elect! Due to unforeseen circumstances, our previous treasurer-elect, Nina, had to step down last summer. We are excited to welcome Lora Robinson to the team! 

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous start to the new year, and we are so excited to see you at conference in March!

Hello MAR-AMTA! 

The conference planning committee very actively preparing for the 2023 MAR-AMTA Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, NY! 

2023 MAR-AMTA Conference Information:

Registration is OPEN for our 2023 IN PERSON MAR-AMTA Annual Conference! We are so looking forward to hosting you all once again in the beautiful city of Niagara Falls, NY at the Niagara Falls Convention Center & Sheraton Hotel! We are continuing to offer the “Online Only” registration option to observe recorded videos of presentations for 30 days once the videos are made available. The following are the registration deadlines and prices: 

Professional Registration

Student Registration

If you are a member of AMTA, please forward your AMTA 2023 Membership receipt to vpconferenceplanning@maramta.org ro receive your “AMTA Member Code”. Due to the changes within AMTA, we can not guarantee we have received your 2023 Membership information. The “AMTA Member Code” will be used to receive the AMTA Member registration discount for the conference. Registration will CLOSE on February 28th, 2022 at 12:00am. Below is the registration link and QR Code to our registration portal. This also has additional information about the various registration options and the conference: MAR-AMTA 2023 Conference Registration

To see our current offerings of concurrent sessions, please follow this link: Concurrent Sessions 2023. 

To see our continued education offerings (i.e. CMTE’s & PreConference Institute) please follow this link: Continuing Education Sessions 2023 

To review the schedule of the conference, please follow this link: 

2023 MAR-AMTA Conference Schedule (this will be updated as needed)

To see our Frequently Asked Questions, please follow this link: FAQ Sheet 

Our Keynote speaker will be Jana Stanfield, an acclaimed international speaker and songwriter who has received rave reviews internationally. She is known as "The Queen of Heavy Mental," Jana describes her music as "psychotherapy you can dance to." With soaring vocals, acoustic arrangements, and meaningful lyrics, Jana Stanfield says her goal is to use her music to give people a "faith-lift." Her fans say the music is the ideal alternative to Prozac… all the mood elevation with none of the water retention. Through the global charity she co-founded, "Together We Can Change the World," she helps women and children in need of education, and leads volun-tour trips with the theme, "The Life You Change May Be Your Own."

"Jana is a multi-faceted, multi-talented person who can deliver the results you're looking for. She can make a huge difference in your life, the life of your conference, and the life of your organization." ~ Jack Canfield, CEO Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises. You can find her YouTube Channel here: Jana Stanfield YouTube 

While we understand that COVID-19 is ever changing, we are hopeful to continue providing both in-person and recorded educational opportunities for our region. Due to ever changing needs COVID-19 requires, we will be following both local, state, and national recommendations. These precautions are subject to change at any time per the CDC recommendations and at the discretion of the MAR-AMTA Executive Board: 

1. Masks will be optional. A N95, KN95 and KF94 are the current recommendations by the CDC. 
2. Implementation of a 3-tiered system of social contact consisting of hugs/handshakes (green), elbow taps (yellow), or no contact (red) which will be visible on registrants name tags.
3. An increased number of hand sanitizing stations and cleaning supplies available. 

Following the success of our online conferences, feedback from members, and to create more accessibility, MAR-AMTA Conferences will continue to record and place concurrent sessions online. This will allow individuals to see ALL concurrent sessions, rather than just sessions they attend! ALL individuals who register for a FULL conference (Non-member, Member, Student) will have access to the recordings for 30 days once the videos are available. CMTE’s & Pre-Conference Institutes will NOT be recorded and must be attended live. We have continued the “Online Only” registration option. This will once again be for individuals who do not wish to attend the conference in person, but still wish to receive the CMTE credits for attending a conference. A link and password will be sent at a later date. 

Hotel Information

The 2023 MAR-AMTA conference hotel will be the Sheraton Niagara Falls. One of the many benefits of staying at the conference hotel is that attendees can receive a discounted hotel room. Not to mention you are directly across the street from all the events! To be fully transparent with our region, MAR-AMTA signs contracts to host conferences, which also contains a specific number of beds reserved (room block) for attendees to reserve. In accordance with the conference venue and hotel contracts, any beds not reserved within the room block MAR-AMTA is responsible financially for covering these rooms each night. We do ask that you highly consider staying at the conference hotel. 

Registrants will have two ways to book their hotel rooms utilizing the conference discount: 

1. By calling 716-278-2695 and providing our organization name "Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association".
2. Clicking this link (Reservation Link). You can adjust your check in and check out dates within the search area.

You will only be able to receive the conference discount rate until February 7th, 2023 at midnight. This means you must make your reservations before February 6th, 2023 at 11:59pm. If you make your reservations after February 7th, please call 716-278-2695 and request the group rate with the name of our organization “The Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association”. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Timothy Doak (vpconferenceplanning@maramta.org) and Ian Vereen (vpconferenceplanningelect@maramta.org). We look forward to welcoming you to the conference this year! 

In Service, 

Timothy Doak, MS, LCAT, MT-BC

VP for Conference Planning, MAR-AMTA

Ian C. Vereen, MT-BC, NMT

VP for Conference Planning-elect, MAR-AMTA

Happy New Year!

Here are the updates from the MARAMTS board. 

• Passages is February 4. It is free and virtual with the theme being connection, passion, and self-care. Spread the word!

• Some scholarships are still open with deadlines quickly approaching. Find them on the MAR-AMTA website under Students > Scholarships. If you have any questions, contact Meg Smith at studentaffairs@maramta.org 

• We are selling music therapy merchandise. Visit https://www.bonfire.com/store/maramtsmerchandise/ 

All proceeds benefit MARAMTA students for conferences, scholarships, and more! 

Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and please follow MAR-AMTS on social media.

Best,

Christina Mihalik (she/her)

MAR-AMTS Vice President

maramtsvp@maramta.org

2023 MAR Regional Conference, Niagara Falls, NY

A concurrent session, “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” is scheduled on Thursday, March 9, from 3:00-3:50pm. Please consider attending to hear updates on recent Assembly business as well as to learn more about opportunities to be a candidate in the upcoming election to be seated as an Assembly Delegate. 

You can find information about the Assembly and contact information for the 2022-2023 MAR Delegation here:  

https://mar-amta.org/about/committees/assembly-of-delegates/

Winter 2023 Highlights  

Arlene attended an AMTA International Relations Committee online on November 28th, 2022, with 7 other IRC committee members. Yu-Ling Chen presided and reviewed IRC goals.  

Among other things discussed was that there will be no Global Perspectives Summit this year due to conference format change. However, there will be an online GPS next spring 2023 and the IRC is in the planning stage for GPS 2023. One of the goals of the IRC is “to work with national conference planners to ensure inclusion of events that represent a diverse ethnic music focus.” Another item discussed was a topic suggested by Arlene in the spring which is that of creating an online data of “Database of Songs template” for music therapy International Students currently enrolled in the US. Arlene created a temporary spreadsheet on Excel and brainstormed with Eva Yulich, and Yu Ling on this idea in an earlier meeting. This topic will continue to be discussed in future IRC meetings.

Chelsea Mabes pointed out that there will be an AMTA presence at the World Congress of Music Therapy 2023 in Vancouver. Gabrielle Banzon, Yu-Ling, & Arlene plan to attend the WCMT 2023.  

Yu-Ling & Arlene will both be presenting at the World Congress for Music Therapy 2023 in Vancouver, Canada, on July 24-29th, 2023.

Arlene was invited to speak at the Portuguese Music Therapy Association’s International Online Symposium on Nov. 12th, 2022. Her topic was on “Community Music Therapy in Short Term and Long Term Institutions and its challenges”. There were also 3 other speakers from Belgium, Canada  

and the US. One of the goals of the MAR-IRC is to “to facilitate awareness  

of music therapy among disciplines, organizations and professionals in  

other countries”.

Arlene was invited to speak at the Portuguese Music Therapy Association’s International Online Symposium on Nov. 12th, 2022. Her topic was on “Community Music Therapy in Short Term and Long Term Institutions and its challenges”. There were also 3 other speakers from Belgium, Canada  

and the US. One of the goals of the MAR-IRC is to “to facilitate awareness  

of music therapy among disciplines, organizations and professionals in  

other countries”.