About MMTA
The Massachusetts Music Therapy Alliance (MMTA) is a state organization that was founded in 1980 to provide support for Music Therapists by holding general meetings and clinical presentations throughout the year between regional and national conferences. After over 40 years, MMTA continues to share ideas, knowledge, and support while working towards promoting the field of Music Therapy in our state and region. MMTA is a unique organization and provides a resource for anyone with an interest in Music Therapy.
Meet the Board
Hannah Shefsky, LMHC, MT-BC - Board Chair
Andrew Krahn, MA, MT-BC, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapist -
Andrew Rohwer, LMHC, MT-BC - MMTA Historian
Kiera Thompson, MA, MHC - Secretary
Kim Johnson, LMHC, MT-BC - IT Coordinator
Lindsay Schofield, MT-BC - Continuing Education
Lisa El-Lakis, MT-BC - Treasurer
Andrew Krahn, MA, MT-BC, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapist -
Andrew Rohwer, LMHC, MT-BC - MMTA Historian
Kiera Thompson, MA, MHC - Secretary
Kim Johnson, LMHC, MT-BC - IT Coordinator
Lindsay Schofield, MT-BC - Continuing Education
Lisa El-Lakis, MT-BC - Treasurer
History of MMTA
1980
Founded: National precedent with both Registered Music Therapists (RMT’s) and Certified Music Therapists (CMT’s) holding positions on the board.
1981
Miss Massachusetts, Lisa Scorgie, was a CMT, calling attention to music therapy and MMTA in media.
1986
Video, Music Therapy: Creative Treatment, showed work of MMTA members; produced by board members, premiered at MMTA.
1986
Board Members presented MMTA model at NAMT national conference, Chicago.
During the 1980’s, MMTA sponsored Music Therapy Day with a Proclamation and State House ceremony each year; circulated a photo display to Massachusetts public libraries; printed a professional flyer; recorded two cassette tapes singing telegrams for fund raising.
1990
Observed “10 Years In Tune” with a gala cabaret at Harvard. First “Honors of MMTA” award conferred to Michelle Glidden.
1991
“Honors of MMTA” conferred to Donna Chadwick.
1993
“Honors of MMTA” conferred to Karen Wacks.
MMTA worked with the Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies to pass legislation, that entitles master’s degreed MTs to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors.
1996
World Premiere of Video “Music Therapy & Medicine: Partnerships in Care” held at Boston University of School of Medicine.
1998
MMTA received the Spirit of Unification Award, AMTA Conference.
During the 1990’s, MMTA sponsored booths at college career fairs and The Boston Music Company as well as continued annual governor’s proclamation of MT Day.
1999-2000
MMTA celebrated its 20th Anniversary!
2000
“Honors of MMTA” award conferred to Julie Buras Zigo.
2001
“Honorary Lifetime Membership” presented to Edith Hillman Boxill.
2005
MMTA celebrated its 25th anniversary!
MMTA featured presentations by national Music Therapists Edith Boxill and Connie Tomaino and by international Music Therapists Brynjulf Stige (Norway), Chava Sekeles (Israel), Wendy Magee (London), Deborah Salmon (Canada) and Joerg Fachner (Germany).
2008
MMTA begins offering CMTE credits to professionals attending presentations.
2009–2010
MMTA celebrated its 30th Anniversary in December 2010 with a Wellness Drumming presentation followed by a special luncheon. In attendance were professional music therapists, student members, past aboard members and present board members.
2011
MMTA launches a new website www.MassMusicTherapy.org
2012
MMTA joins Facebook
Founded: National precedent with both Registered Music Therapists (RMT’s) and Certified Music Therapists (CMT’s) holding positions on the board.
1981
Miss Massachusetts, Lisa Scorgie, was a CMT, calling attention to music therapy and MMTA in media.
1986
Video, Music Therapy: Creative Treatment, showed work of MMTA members; produced by board members, premiered at MMTA.
1986
Board Members presented MMTA model at NAMT national conference, Chicago.
During the 1980’s, MMTA sponsored Music Therapy Day with a Proclamation and State House ceremony each year; circulated a photo display to Massachusetts public libraries; printed a professional flyer; recorded two cassette tapes singing telegrams for fund raising.
1990
Observed “10 Years In Tune” with a gala cabaret at Harvard. First “Honors of MMTA” award conferred to Michelle Glidden.
1991
“Honors of MMTA” conferred to Donna Chadwick.
1993
“Honors of MMTA” conferred to Karen Wacks.
MMTA worked with the Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies to pass legislation, that entitles master’s degreed MTs to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors.
1996
World Premiere of Video “Music Therapy & Medicine: Partnerships in Care” held at Boston University of School of Medicine.
1998
MMTA received the Spirit of Unification Award, AMTA Conference.
During the 1990’s, MMTA sponsored booths at college career fairs and The Boston Music Company as well as continued annual governor’s proclamation of MT Day.
1999-2000
MMTA celebrated its 20th Anniversary!
2000
“Honors of MMTA” award conferred to Julie Buras Zigo.
2001
“Honorary Lifetime Membership” presented to Edith Hillman Boxill.
2005
MMTA celebrated its 25th anniversary!
MMTA featured presentations by national Music Therapists Edith Boxill and Connie Tomaino and by international Music Therapists Brynjulf Stige (Norway), Chava Sekeles (Israel), Wendy Magee (London), Deborah Salmon (Canada) and Joerg Fachner (Germany).
2008
MMTA begins offering CMTE credits to professionals attending presentations.
2009–2010
MMTA celebrated its 30th Anniversary in December 2010 with a Wellness Drumming presentation followed by a special luncheon. In attendance were professional music therapists, student members, past aboard members and present board members.
2011
MMTA launches a new website www.MassMusicTherapy.org
2012
MMTA joins Facebook