Dear SWAMTA Friends,

I am so happy to be welcomed into this new role of Continuing Education Director for the region. Let me start by introducing you to your new continuing education committee:

New Mexico - JAYNIE HANOSH HAKEEM, MT-BC

Since obtaining a degree in Music Therapy in 1979, I have participated in and initiated several music therapy programs.  My experience includes educational settings, medical settings and private practice.  I have adapted music therapy programs to meet the diverse needs of individuals from birth through adulthood.  These programs include early intervention outreach, educational institutions, acute care, geriatric and hospice projects and child life pediatric program.

Oklahoma - JENNIFER VOSS, MME, MT-BC

Jennifer is a professional with diverse clinical and leadership experience.  She has been board certified in the field for over 15 years and received her master’s degree in music therapy from the University of Kansas in 2004.  Her clinical interest and experience has focused largely on helping individuals with neurologic impairments, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as bringing children and older adults together in intergenerational music experiences. She is committed to service and advocacy for the profession and has been an active member of the Oklahoma Task Force for Music Therapy Recognition since 2007 and was Local Chair for the 2015 SWAMTA Conference in Oklahoma City.

Texas - JOHNATHAN SILBERT, MM, MT-BC

Jonathan Silbert graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in Musical Arts and minored in Psychology. He received his master’s degree in music therapy at Sam Houston State University. During his master’s program, Jonathan completed a 6 moth internship at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital. After passing the CBMT exam, he worked as a sub-contractor for several companies providing music therapy services to children with developmental disabilities. Currently, Jonathan works at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Inpatient Rehab Unit.

The committee is proud to present the following continuing education courses that will be offered at regional conference in Austin:

• Music in Therapy Improvisation - Michael Zanders PhD, MT-BC, LPC and Ming Low MA, MT-BC
• FREE TO SWAMTA MEMBERS!!!! Ethical Decision-Making in Everyday Music Therapy Practice – Christine Neugebauer MS, MT-BC, LOC. 
• Music Therapy Private Practice - Corinne Richards, MA, MT-BC, Janice Harris-Lindstrom MA, MT-BC, Debbie Dacus MA, MT-BC
• Mastering the iPad, One App at a Time: An Introduction to Garageband and other Applications - Michael Salinas MT-BC, Michael Way
• Effective MT Interventions for Students with Autism in the Special Education Classroom - Debbie Dacus MA, MT-BC
• Supervising the Music Therapy Intern - Amy Smith MA, MT-BC, CCLS, AIAC Southwest Regional Representative

As a committee we are looking forward to hearing from SWAMTA members regarding their needs and wishes for continuing education opportunities. If you have a CMTE request please email Jennifer Townsend at jtownsend.mtbc@gmail.com. 

Please join me in congratulating our own Janice Lindstrom for winning the AMTA Conference Scholar Award! AMTA members are given access to several conference and continuing education scholarship opportunities. See the AMTA website for more info. 

Please check the SWAMTA.com website for information regarding upcoming continuing education opportunities!

Jennifer Townsend MMT, MT-BC
Continuing Education Director SWAMTA