NRMT Program Overview

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Training at Molloy University

The practice of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy is a unique, music-centered and creative endeavor, necessitating a high level of musical sensitivity and clinical awareness in meeting the needs of a variety of clients. The Nordoff- Robbins training at Molloy University includes musical, clinical, and didactic studies that foster clinical musicianship, deepen the trainee's understanding of musical and therapeutic processes, and promote and carry on the tenets of the Nordoff-Robbins philosophy and tradition. Particular emphasis is placed on the application and adaptation of this work to new client groups and in new contexts.

Trainee Characteristics and Eligibility

· Prospective trainees must complete an application (Click here for an application).
· All applicants must be Board Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC).
· Students may complete this training while receiving a Masters degree in music therapy from another University other than Molloy College, but NR certification will not be awarded until student has received a Master's degree.
· Applicants who already possess a Master's degree in music therapy from another institution (other than Molloy University) will be asked to provide a transcript detailing specific music therapy coursework they have completed. Syllabi for particular courses may be requested.
· Prospective trainees will have an audition and interview to determine acceptance into the training program.
· Applicants must possess highly developed musical skills on either piano and/or guitar (See Audition requirements).
· Applicants must demonstrate maturity and openness in interactions with others.
· Applicants must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively orally and in written work.

Audition/Interview Process

During the audition, the applicant will be asked to:

Play one piece on piano and/or guitar.
2. Sight read a melody (instrumental and vocal).
3. Harmonize a melody with piano and/or guitar.
4. Improvise three simple variations on the piano or guitar, on a given theme.
5. Perform a free improvisation based on a given subject/theme, on the piano or an instrument of his/her choice.
6. If prospect's primary instrument is not piano or guitar, he/she will be asked to perform one piece on this instrument.

Course Progression and Descriptions

Fall coursework (Sept-Dec)
MUS 538 Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy 3 credits
MUS 542 NR Clinical Improvisation I 1 credit
MUS 544 NR Group Theory & Practice I 2 credits
MUS 546 NR Clinical Practicum I 1 credit
Spring coursework (Jan-May)
MUS 543 NR Clinical Improvisation II 2 credits
MUS 545 NR Group Theory & Practice II 2 credits
MUS 547 NR Clinical Practicum II 1 credit
Summer coursework (May-July)

MUS 535 NRAdvanced Clinical Supervision 3 credits
Clinical Hours are embedded within the coursework MUS 544, MUS 545, MUS 546, MUS 535, MUS 547

Molloy University Graduate Students: MUS 538, 542, 544 fulfill electives for MS. Will take additional 10 credits offered through Continuing Education program.

Post-Master's Certificate Candidates: Will take 15 credits through Continuing Education department.

Course Descriptions

MUS 544 Nordoff-Robbins Group Theory and Practice I
Course will focus on development of group work, through improvisation and pre-composed music from the literature. Trainees will study group development, goals of group work, and explore group process issues. Techniques regarding improvising songs for groups, teamwork in groups, using pre-composed songs and larger works. In addition, trainees will compose and/or arrange musical material for groups that they are currently seeing. Group work supervision will also be provided in this course.

MUS 545 Nordoff-Robbins Group Theory and Practice II
Course will continue to focus on development of group work, through improvisation and pre-composed music from the literature. Trainees will study group development, goals of group work, and explore group process issues. Techniques regarding improvising songs for groups, teamwork in groups, using pre-composed songs and larger works. In addition, trainees will compose and/or arrange musical material for groups that they are currently seeing. Group work supervision will continue to be provided on an ongoing basis in this course. (This is not indicated in the course schedule below).

MUS 542 Nordoff-Robbins Clinical Improvisation I
This course focuses on the development of musical resources through study of styles, idioms, and scales. Students will study a variety of idioms, styles. Goals include developing improvisational skills in order to increase responsiveness to individuals in therapy. Specific emphasis will be placed on clinical application of music. Contemporary and archival studies will be shared to support clinical themes and provide examples of musical styles and techniques utilized in sessions.

MUS 543 Nordoff-Robbins Clinical Improvisation II
This course continues to focus on further development of musical resources through study of styles, idioms, and scales. Trainees will learn additional idioms, styles. Goals include developing improvisational skills in order to increase responsiveness to individuals in therapy. Specific emphasis will be placed on clinical application of music. Contemporary and archival studies will be shared to support clinical themes and provide examples of musical styles and techniques utilized in sessions.

MUS 546 &547 Nordoff-Robbins Clinical Practicum I & II
Trainees will develop Nordoff-Robbins clinical skills in individual music therapy sessions. Trainees will function as either primary therapist and/or co-therapist in a minimum of 3 sessions per week at the Rebecca Center and off-site. Trainee will participate in on-going weekly supervision with clinical supervisor at the Rebecca Center.

MUS 535 Advanced Clinical Supervision
Trainee will receive supervision regarding clinical practice. Trainee will meet regularly with peer group and instructor to discuss clinical and administrative issues relating to their work, training, and supervision. Trainee's clinical work will be assessed by instructor. Trainee will explore literature to support experiences in the clinic. Trainee will work on developing final case study presentation.

Faculty

Dr. Suzanne Nowikas Sorel, LCAT, MT-BC, NRMT: Director, Nordoff-Robbins Training

Dr. Suzanne Sorel is Associate Dean & Director of Graduate Music Therapy at Molloy College where she has been teaching since 1991. She is also the Director of Education and Training at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy. Dr. Sorel wrote the proposal for the Nordoff-Robbins Training Program at Molloy, which has been provisionally approved by the International Trust of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. She worked as a clinical supervisor and clinician at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University from 1990-2003 under the mentorship of Dr. Clive and Carol Robbins, and then continued in a similar capacity at The Rebecca Center from 2003 to present. She has earned Level I & II certification and provisional Level III certification in the Nordoff-Robbins approach. Dr. Sorel has
published several studies related to Nordoff-Robbins music therapy and has presented her work regionally, nationally, and internationally since 1987.

Dr. John Carpente, LCAT, MT-BC, NRMT, Instructor & Clinical Supervisor

John Carpente, Assistant Professor of Music and Music Therapy at Molloy College, is the Founder and Executive Director of The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy. His research and clinical work have led to the development of the Developmental Music Health and the Individual Music-Centered Assessment Profile for Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Relating and Communicating (IMCAP-NDRC®). He received his Master of Arts degree from New York University where he also completed Post-Graduate certification training at the Nordoff-Robbins Center at New York University, achieving Level I certification. He is currently completing requirements for Level II in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Dr. Carpente received his Ph.D. from Temple University in 2008. Currently, he is completing the DIR®/FloortimeTM Practitioner Certification. He has over 15 years of clinical and supervisory experience, and has lectured internationally and domestically.

Heejin Chung, M.Ed., MA, KCMT, NRMT, Instructor & Clinical Supervisor

Heejin Chung is a Senior Music Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy where she specializes in working with children and adolescents with special needs. She has a wide range of clinical experience, working with clients' with autism, speech and language delays, LD, ADD, developmental disabilities and neurological impairments. She received a Bachelor of Music in Musicology and Music Composition, and Master of Education in Music Therapy from Ewha Women's University in Seoul, Korea. She went on to receive a Master of Arts Degree in Music Therapy from New York University's (NYU). In addition, she has completed her Level I post-graduate advanced clinical training at The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at NYU, and is currently completing her Level II training in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Before returning to the United States, she worked several years as a music therapist and researcher at The Music Therapy Center at Ewha Women's University in Korea. During this time she lectured and presented domestically and internationally, including at the 7th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition in Sydney, Australia. In addition she was a collaborator in translating Music Therapy Research(Ed) edited by Barbara Wheeler.

For more information contact:

Dr. Suzanne Sorel, MT-BC, LCAT, NRMT Director, Nordoff-Robbins Training Phone: 516-323-3322
Email: ssorel@molloy.edu