Professional Development for RMTs and other professionals
Focus areas
Instrumental skills
The guitar is the leading instrument amongst music therapists (in Australia at least) however very few music therapists have received extensive training on the guitar. In his research, Oli’s has developed a modular framework to support the transition of instrumental skills to the guitar. He also has experience as a performer, teacher and therapist using piano, woodwind, brass and tuned and untuned percussion.
Accompaniment
Accompaniment is an essential skill for music therapists as it negotiates the balance between supporting and challenging the people we work with. Ask Oli how about building your precomposed and improvised accompaniment skills on guitar, piano, single-line melody instruments and percussion.
Improvisation
Improvisation is a great way to unleash creative expression, however it is easier for some than others, particularly if you haven’t had to opportunity to play unscored music in autonomous ensembles. That is, playing without sheet music (printed, digital or memorised) and also without a conductor. Ask Oli how Music Therapy Skills can help you unlock the joys of improvisation.
First instruments in music therapy
Oli is passionate about music therapists using their primary instrument in their clinical work. After all, this is the instrument we are most comfortable on. As a woodwind and brass major, Oli was keen to find ways to incorporate these instruments into his therapy work. Are you a clarinetist, cellist or bassoonist? Or any other single line instrumentalist. Ask Oli how Music Therapy Skills can help you adapt these skills to music therapy applications.
Delivery options
Workshop series
Are you looking for more than a one-off workshop? The techniques taught at Music Therapy Skills are complex and take time to establish. The pressures and routines of Monday morning often kick us into autopilot, making it difficult to integrate our new skills into practice.
A workshop series offers the important opportunity to revisit concepts and techniques as they are put into clinical practice. Ongoing support like this not only helps grasp the basics, but propels forward towards more advanced skills.
One-off workshops
Do you have team of music therapists or a peer supervision network? IS there something you would like to to work on together? Talk to Oli about tailoring a workshop to suit your needs.
Music skills supervision
The techniques taught at Music Therapy Skills were developed in clinical practice and are deeply embedded in the therapeutic process. Developing your music therapy skills will directly impact your clinical practice.
Online
The last few years have taught us a lot about flexible service delivery. Online delivery helps those in regional and remote areas access these skill and also provides support between workshops. Unfortunately, the more interactive elements of program aren’t yet available, but are under development so watch this space.
Online can also be used to provide ongoing support after a workshop or between workshops in a series.