Karen Wacks, EdM, LMHC, MT-BC
Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts
Samite Mulondo
Musicians for World Harmony, Uganda, Africa
In this podcast, Karen Wacks describes her 2013 partnership with Samite Mulondo. Together they examined the benefits of music therapy and performance on the emotional and physical health of children in Uganda impacted by war and at-risk for severe post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide. Blending Performance and Music Therapy (BPMT) emerged from this feasibility study, promoting the use of technology to bring music therapy to global environments and providing service-learning opportunities for music therapy students.
Resources:
- Felsenstein, R. (2013). From uprooting to replanting: On post-trauma group music therapy for pre-school children. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 22(1), 69–85.
- Stige, B. (2002). Culture-centered music therapy. Barcelona Publishers.
- Loewy, J. V. & Hara, A. F., (Eds). (2002). Caring for the caregiver: The use of music and music therapy in grief and trauma. American Music Therapy Association.
- Tanielian, T., & Jaycox, L. H. (Eds.) (2008). Invisible wounds of war: Psychological and cognitive injuries, their consequences, and services to assist recovery. RAND Corporation.
About the Authors:
Karen Wacks is the clinical training coordinator for music therapy practicum and internship preparation at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Additionally, as the Director of Education and Mental Health Programs for Musicians for World Harmony, Karen works to raise awareness of music as a healing modality. Contact: kwacks@berklee.edu
Samite Mulondo, a world-renowned recording artist born in Uganda is the Executive Director of Musicians for World Harmony. He is dedicated to bringing music for healing to refugee camps, orphanages, and programs in Africa. Samite’s smooth vocals accompanied by the kalimba, marimba, litungu, and various flutes mesmerize audiences throughout the world.
Suggested Citation:
Wacks, K., & Mulondo, S. (2020, July 1). Blending performance and music therapy in East Africa: Models for health and healing [Audio podcast]. imagine. www.imagine.musictherapy.biz