Intersection of Community and Music
When
January 10, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Coffee, Lunch, and Reception will be provided as part of our program
Where
David Friend Recital Hall at Berklee College of Music
About
Community music, encompassing inclusive, participatory music-making practices that bring people together across ages, backgrounds, and abilities, is a powerful tool for fostering connection, identity, and resilience. In a time when social isolation and wellbeing are critical issues, community music offers shared experiences that promote health and healing within community spaces. Join leading experts to explore the latest research and programming on the impact of community music on health and wellbeing, and engage in collaborative discussions to shape actionable agendas for advancing community-centered music initiatives.
Community music can:
- Strengthen social bonds and reduce isolation
- Foster a sense of identity, belonging, and empowerment
- Promote emotional expression and stress relief
- Encourage creativity and collaborative problem-solving
- Provide inclusive, accessible opportunities for participation
- Support the resilience of individuals and communities facing adversity
Join leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore the impact of community music on health and wellbeing. This exchange will highlight the latest research, emerging practices, and innovative programs that harness the benefits of community-centered music for public health. Engage in collaborative discussions to help shape actionable agendas, create new partnerships, and advance initiatives that prioritize the transformative power of community music.
Schedule
9:45 a.m.: Registration and Check-In
Coffee and Conversation
David Friend Recital Hall
921 Boylston Street
10:00 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Joy Allen, PhD, MT-BC, Director, Berklee Music and Health Institute and Berklee Music Therapy Department Chair
Renate 艶子 Rohlfing, MM, MA, MT-BC, Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music and Cofounder, Sounds That Carry
10:10 a.m.: Group Experiential
Troy Anthony, Creative Director, of Fire Ensemble Inc.
10:30 a.m.: Keynote: Building Community, Hope, and Resilience Through Art
S. Benedict Dossen; MSc GMH, BSW; Senior Country Representative, the Carter Center - Liberia
11:00 a.m.: This Talk Is a Rehearsal
Troy Anthony, Creative Director, Fire Ensemble Inc.
11:20 a.m.: Sounding Stories: Intergenerational Connections and Music
Renate 艶子 Rohlfing, M.M., M.A. MT-BC, Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music and Cofounder, Sounds That Carry
11:45 a.m.: From the Ground Up: Community-Centered Arts Cultivating Policy Change
Panel facilitated by Taneshia Nash Laird, BBA, MA, Associate Professor, Berklee Africana Studies and Founder, Thrive Tide Partners LLC
Panelists include:
Dr. Joy Allen, PhD, MT-BC, Director, Berklee Music and Health Institute and Berklee Music Therapy Department Chair
Daniel Callahan, MFA, Multidisciplinary Artist
Dr. Erik Holmgren, EdD, Manager of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships at Mass Cultural Council
12:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:20 p.m.: Charging the Air - Freedom Singing is Congregational Singing
Wendi Moore-O'Neal, Freedom Singer and Founder, Jaliyah Consulting
1:40 p.m.: Playing Together at Nordoff-Robbins: Reimagining Connection Through Community Jams
Zachary Kandler, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, Managing Director, Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy
2:00 p.m.: Resilience in Immigrant Communities: A Pilot Community Centered Music Therapy Program with Older Chinese Adults
Dr. Ming Yuan Low, PhD, MT-BC, Assistant Professor, Berklee Music Therapy Department
2:20 p.m.: Queer, Black, and Churched: Exploring Black LGBTQ+ Lived Experience and Spirituality Through Free Verse Poetry and Music
kei slaughter, MFA, MA, MT-BC, Musician, Music Therapist, and Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music
2:45 p.m.: Roundtable Discussions
An opportunity for participants to reflect on the presentations shared, exchange ideas, and explore key issues, trends, and practices related to the intersection of community and music.
3:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks
Dr. Joy Allen, PhD, MT-BC, Director, Berklee Music and Health Institute and Berklee Music Therapy Department Chair
Renate 艶子 Rohlfing, MM, MA, MT-BC, Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music and Cofounder, Sounds That Carry
3:40 p.m.: Networking Reception
The Loft
Genko Uchida Building
921 Boylston Street