Singing, a Personal and Professional Need
 

Authors:

Sylka Uhlig, MA, RMTh & Kate Richards Geller, MA, MT-BC

Abstracts workshop:
The voice is our primary instrument in music therapy for expression and communication. Through singing, we enter into the integrative process of expression and the interactive process of communication. The experience of singing can be essential for a client’s process and it is also fundamental for the therapist’s professional development. The therapist who sings in sessions needs to develop awareness of the personal effect and the clinical impact of the voice. The focus of this workshop is on dialogue, communication, and the nuances of acoustic symbols and multicultural influences that are inherent in authentic human sounds. This workshop is primarily experiential with approximately 20% of time for explanation and discussion.
 

Participants will: experience a sequence of vocal exercises that can promote proficiency, sing alone and with others to enhance sensitivity of how the voice impacts human relationships on many levels, develop skill and freedom to use the body and voice in improvisation to communicate effectively with the client. Important for this practice are: developing awareness of the body as an instrument; experiencing the differences between forced and free voices; discovering not-beautiful voices and their effects; understanding multicultural aspects; listening.

Biographical details:
Sylka Uhlig, MA, RMTh Registered Music Therapist (The Netherlands) - BC HAN University for Professional Education Nijmegen, (1993, NL) - Voice & Body Work Training (1995-2005) - Music Therapist at Psychiatric Hospital, Individual and group work trauma treatment & forensic rehabilitation (1991-1999, NL) - Private Study Oriental Music and Art Therapy Oruc Güvenc, Istanbul, (1998 Turkey) - MA at New York University Music Therapy, specialty of multicultural use of voice (2000) - Music therapist Board of Education New York City, special education program (2001-2005) – Lecturer Music Therapy and Faculty Member of HAN University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (since 2005).

Kate Richards Geller, MA, MT-BC
Board Certified Music Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (USA-New York)
- MA, Music Therapy, New York University, (1997)
- Music Therapist in pediatric settings, using the voice for pain management and quality of life.
- Advanced training in voicework with Lisa Sokolov, Silvia Nakkach, Rhiannon.
- Music Therapist: therapeutic preschool, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, adult daycare.
- Voice-centered music therapy wellness practice.