About Natasha Thomas, MT-BC
Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Dakota (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, 2008) and Board Certified Music Therapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to private clients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and the LISTEN Drop-In Center. As part of her work with NDVS/SB, Natasha is a regular transcriber of the Braille Music code, and also signs in ASL for her work with the ND School for the Deaf. Natasha is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Special Education (UND, 2012) to supplement her work with these populations. She is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and regularly attends their annual conferences. Natasha enjoys educating her community on Music Therapy, supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dance in her spare time (when she has it!) Her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND
You can contact Natasha by email at natasha.mtbc@gmail.com
Dear Natasha,
Your energy is amazing. I googled roots of music therapy and found you.
Best wishes in your work!
Alicia Clair
University of Kansas
Thanks Alicia (and yay Google
!!
I really liked your post entitled, “Music in the field of vision”. I was hoping to use your video in my education class (Introduction to Music Therapy) however I noticed that the it is an “unlisted” video. Please let me know if you wish to keep it private or if I may share the link with my students.
John Lawrence MMT, MTA
E-mail: jlmt@telus.net
Twitter: @JLisaMT
LinkedIn: John Lawrence MMT, MTA
Certainly share the link with your students! I upload all my videos as unlisted so I can maintain some modicum of control over where they go (though with the internet being what it is I know that’s hard to do, so I appreciate you asking before sharing it
Glad you joyed the post!
Hi Natasha,
I’m really glad I found your blog as I have just applied and will be interviewed for a job as an assistant to a Music Therapist. I feel that I have a lot to learn but your blog was a great starting point. Part of the interview process will be to run a 15min music class so this blog has given me some good things to think about!
Great! Wow, a Music Therapist’s assistant- I should recommend my placements all get me one of those
Good luck with your interview and thanks for the comment!
Yo Natasha; I posted yesterday on your Forum blogsite, some of my experiences with seniors at nursing homes. Today, I found this site on the side. There are many individuals that should be encouraged to bring fond memories, or joy to those in nursing homes. The level of need has significantly increased the last few years. 40 years ago, a lot of residents were really quite mobile. Now, many are not. They are more confined. I believe music should be more mobile, and when possible, go to their rooms, rather than just in the “commons” room. in conjunction with the group entertainment. Even just a couple tunes individually should be helpfull. Obviously a piano wouldn’t work, but an accordion sure does, or any other portable instrument.
Hello! I did see your post yesterday – you’ve got a lot of great insights to give, tough to keep up with them all
There are many music therapists who do just what you’re describing: they go into client rooms and provide individual services using music. In order to provide safe and measurable results, that level of interaction I believe really calls for the qualifications that a Board Certified Music Therapist can provide, however great benefit can indeed be had from just a few tunes at a time from a caring soul like yourself! It sounds like the groups you work with really appreciate your services!
Natasha,
It is great to see all the informative information you are putting out. I still use some of your little techniques in my small groups for language and literacy. You make it look so easy and fun! Really miss our sessions and hope that one day our paths will meet again and we can work together with students. Keep doing what YOU do! You make LEARNING so fun. Fun for kids and GROWNUPS! Blessings to you.
Thanks so much Sandi! I think of you and our little class fondly as well – we had a lot of fun! Love that you’re still sharing it all – I enjoyed our time working together so much and definitely hope we can again sometime!