UND Music Recognized by Governor Dalrymple and American Music Therapy Association

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

11-4-2011

Campus Unit

College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

UND Music Therapy faculty Meganne Masko, Andrew Knight (assistant professors), Emily Wangen, and Natasha Thomas (lecturers) were commended by President Ronna Kaplan of the American Music Therapy Association for their work in leading the effort to establish the nation's first licensure law for music therapy. In April, 2011, Governor Jack Dalrymple signed SB 2271, which established the North Dakota Board of Integrative Health to regulate the licensure law and provided state recognition of the professional credential for music therapy, MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).

Kaplan, on behalf of the AMTA Board of Directors, expressed sincere congratulations and gratitude "in recognition of the high quality advocacy work related to the passage of legislation for music therapy and licensure."

"We felt strongly for the past few years that there was no reason North Dakota couldn't lead the nation in this effort," said Knight. "It's been exciting for us to learn the legislative process, work with Rep. Lois Delmore who was an invaluable resource for us, and for the UND music therapy majors who will benefit from this legislation as more of our alumni start their professional careers in North Dakota."

The UND Music Therapy students commemorated the groundbreaking legislation with a flurry of advocacy events, concerts, and fundraising activities that raised money for children with blindness or vision impairment in Minot, ND. These children are in need of special assistive devices and instruments for music therapy due to spring flooding. "Music for Minot" funds will be augmented by a significant donation from Poppler's Music in Grand Forks to purchase these assistive devices and instruments. The items will be delivered in November, which was proclaimed "Music Therapy Month" in North Dakota by Governor Dalrymple. Representative Delmore and the task force will be on hand at the AMTA national conference in Atlanta, GA November 17th to be recognized for their efforts.

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