The newest edition of AMTA's member newsletter is now available. Log in with your current member email address and password, then go to Member Resources>Member Toolkit to read your copy today!

The 2011 Annual Report is now available. Read on to review highlights, successes and progress made last year as the music therapy profession became stronger than ever!

New AMTA-pro podcast, "Debbie Dacus: Music Therapy from Different Angles." Debbie has 25 years of clinical experience, has published several books and coauthored several music therapy resources, and is currently preparing to teach at the university level. In this podcast, Debbie shares compelling stories from her daily work and talks with about lessons learned from her experiences in music and in music therapy over the years.

AMTA Vice-President Elect Lisa Gallagher will be a featured guest on” Audioanalgesia: Music that Soothes the Body & Soul” this Saturday June 9, 2012 - 9pm Eastern. The program originates from WBAL radio in Baltimore in association with the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Hosted by Paul J. Christo, MD, MBA from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, you can listen to the show live online or access podcasts later by going to: www.paulchristomd.com.

In this AMTA-Pro podcast, a benefit of membership in AMTA, Dr. Deforia Lane shares the compelling story of her career as a music therapist, a journey that actually began when she was in kindergarten. Deforia went on to develop new music therapy programs for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and music therapy in medical settings. Tune in and be inspired.

The PAL device, invented by AMTA-member, Dr. Jayne Standley, is now widely available. Florida State University has announced the availability of the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL) device to hospitals around the world.

The Fulton County music therapy program started in 1991 under the direction of Amber Weldon-Stephens, and continues to expand and to impact not only the lives of the students, but also teachers, classroom aids, therapists, families, and the community as a whole. Listen to this AMTA member-only podcast about the structure of the music therapy program in the Fulton County Schools, the website connection, and about other details of interest.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia signed into law SB 414. This legislation creates a music therapy license in Georgia.

"Every music therapist has a wealth of stories about a musical moment mixed with a clinical moment. It is when art and science create awareness, an accomplishment and a breakthrough. The power and effect of music therapy can build understanding as it relates to total mind and body healing." from the National Stroke Association.

"Music therapy can improve focus, help keep a meltdown at bay, ease everyday tasks like bathing or give expression to a child who’d never spoken before."

“Most people are just awed by the power of music to awaken a person with Alzheimer's disease,” says music therapist Al Bumanis, a spokesman for the American Music Therapy Association in Silver Spring, Maryland. “The reawakening of the connection between patient and caregiver when they’re singing together can be very moving,”

The music therapy literature has documented the power of this amazing medium for over a half-century. Alicia Clair offers some insights into our profession's long history using music to enhance quality of life for elders and their families.