OAMT Winter Conference

2025 Winter Conference
We Are The Forest, We Are The Trees: Nurturing our own work and well-being while advocating for our clients and our communities

Saturday February 8th, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chemeketa Eola, Salem, OR.

Conference Schedule:
10:00am- Doors Open/Registration
10:15am- Welcome/introductions
10:30-11:20am- Advocating One Sentence at a Time, by Brea Murakami MS, MT-BC
11:30-12:20pm- Bringing Your Authentic Self Into Songwriting and Improvisation, Dahlia Pollack, MT-BC
12:20pm- Lunch, provided by OAMT. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available
12:45-1:30pm- OAMT Business Meeting
1:30pm- Board Elections
1:45pm- Break
2:00-2:50pm- Keynote, Susan Bakouros, MA, MT-BC
3:00-3:50pm- Music for Wellness in Schools, Melissa Potts MAT, MT-BC, Dahlia Pollack MT-BC, Chris Korb MM MT-BC, Jeanne Nicholas MA, MT-BC
4:00-4:50pm- Lyric Analysis for Single Session MT Group, Alex Chapman MT-BC
4:50pm- Closing remarks


Presentation Information

Keynote
Susan Bakouros, MA, MT-BC
In this thought-provoking keynote, Susan Bakouros will explore the interconnectedness that exists between individuals and the larger systems that surround us in the field of music therapy. Drawing on the powerful metaphor of we are the forest and we are the trees, this speech delves into the vital role each person plays in shaping our collective future as a field. Susan Bakouros will share inspiring stories, research and personal insights to illustrate how small actions can have an outward ripple effect to create profound change. Attendees will take away a passion and desire to continue to contribute to our profession in meaningful ways, understanding that each individual is a vital part of the whole that is capable of influencing the future.



10:30 - Advocating One Sentence at a Time
Brea Murakami, MS, MT-BC
Has your music therapy “elevator speech” ever fallen kind of flat? In this workshop-style talk, we’ll analyze how we currently talk about music therapy and practice verbal communication strategies that are more impactful, succinct, and audience-oriented.

11:30 - Bringing Your Authentic Self Into Songwriting and Improvisation
Dahlia Pollack, MT-BC
This is an opportunity to get in touch with your authentic self: To bring your learned skills as a Music Therapist into your self-care practice and elevate the work that you do in your clinical practice.

3:00 - Music for Wellness in Schools
Melissa Potts MAT, MT-BC, Dahlia Pollack MT-BC, Chris Korb MM MT-BC, Jeanne Nicholas MA, MT-BC
Music for Wellness in Schools was a grant funded music therapy project that served counselor referred students in grades 5-12. This presentation aims to give information about setting up a project such as this, some challenges and successes, database setup, communication among students and staff members, funding sources, and more.

4:00 - Lyric Analysis for Single Session MT Group
Alex Chapman MT-BC
Attendees will learn to utilize a clear roadmap for selecting songs for lyric analysis and a specific tool for crafting questions that guide patients to measurable clinical outcomes from lyric analysis in a single session. This method approach to lyric analysis can be utilized in any setting where lyric analysis is appropriate for the patient. Attendees will receive tools for crafting questions, guiding conversation and selecting appropriate songs for lyric analysis.


Presenter Bios

Susan Bakouros MA, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist and owner/founder of Rose City Music Therapy, LLC. She received an undergraduate degree from Marylhurst University and a Master’s Degree from Berklee College of Music. Susan developed the first NICU music therapy program in the Portland/Vancouver area at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and has expanded the program to other areas of the hospital. Recently, Susan relocated to the Boston area and has continued to create music therapy programs in several major metropolitan hospitals, such as Tufts Medical Center and Brigham and Women Hospital. Susan has published her research in Music Therapy Perspectives and has presented about her work atNational Conferences and Harvard University. Susan is currently involved in a large research

Dahlia Pollack, MT-BC is the owner and founder of Resonate Within Music Therapy LLC, where she has become “the traveling music therapist” serving those who live in Washington, Clackamas, Multnomah, Marion and Clark County! She also gives presentations and leads workshops at mental health and wellness events as a passionate advocate in fighting the stigma that surrounds mental health and mental illness.

Melissa Potts MAT, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist and owner/founder of Willamette Music Therapy, LLC. Melissa has a BA in Music Therapy from Marylhurst University and a Masters in Teaching from Willamette University. Melissa (along with Emily Ross) helped to create the Music For Wellness Program in Salem. Melissa also works for Salem Health Psychiatric Medicine Center and the Center 50+ in Salem.

Brea Murakami, MM, MT-BC is the director of music therapy at Pacific University. She enjoys making good information more readily available.

Alex Chapman MT-BC is a music therapist in Portland Oregon working in an inpatient mental health setting. Alex has been practicing for 6 years and works with multiple universities as an intern supervisor.

Christine Korb, MM, MT-BC is former director of music therapy programs at Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon; Marylhurst University; and Willamette University. She has not so recently authored, The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Health, Wellness, and Joy.

Jeanne Nicholas, MA, MT-BC information coming soon

***Continuing credits important information***

This event is not pre-approved for CBMT credit. However, you can report your credits for attending Saturday’s Full Group Sessions (5 hours). These credits can be counted as Independent Learning under "Other Continuing Education Opportunities."

To self-report, you will need to write a brief summary of your learning and how it relates to the certification board domains. A list of targeted domains will be provided to you during each presentation.

For more information about entering credits or recertification, visit the Certification Board of Music Therapists website linked here!

***Lunch will be catered through Chipotle. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. Drinks and coffee will be available all day***

TO JOIN OR RENEW YOUR OAMT MEMBERSHIP FOLLOW THIS LINK