A Message from the President

Leslie Orozco Henry, president AMTA

As I begin my term as President of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), I extend my sincere appreciation to our members, volunteers, consultants, and staff for their ongoing dedication to strengthening the Association and advancing music therapy. I also thank the outgoing volunteers for their generous service, expertise, and care. Your commitment and leadership have supported our members and advanced the profession in most important ways.

I assume this role in a time of significant complexity. To be frank, our music therapy community is navigating a wide variety of overlapping challenges across clinical practice, education, employment, and community life that are rapid, disruptive, and distressing. Likewise, I recognize that we are not all experiencing this moment in the same way. The profound conviction we hold of the unique and transformative role that music can play in therapy unites us.  Intentional focus on the AMTA mission, standards, core values, and ethics will guide the profession in a time marked by unpredictability and uncertainty. 

Throughout my term, AMTA’s core values—kindness, dignity and respect, equality, social responsibility, accountability, excellence, integrity, and courage—will guide both my leadership and the Board's work. These values provide a shared framework for the board as we dialogue and discern, engage with one another, and carry forward the responsibility entrusted to us as a professional association.

This year, my priorities will be centered on our mission pillars: education, advocacy, and accessibility, with a focus on adapting to our changing environment, utilizing lived experience and research as a guide.  As priorities and board composition take shape during this transition, we are making purposeful progress. We will allocate human and financial resources thoughtfully and responsibly. The board’s work will reflect member perspectives and be carried out in close partnership with AMTA’s professional staff and consultants, whose expertise is essential to our success.

I am hopeful as our community moves forward together, not because the work ahead is simple, but because our profession consistently demonstrates resilience, courage, and a deep commitment to the individuals and communities we serve. There will be various opportunities to engage in our work, and a call for service will be published soon. I look forward to working with you in ways that are sustainable to you in support of our mission and the future of music therapy.

With care and appreciation,

Leslie Orozco Henry, MM, MT-BC, WMTR

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