Description

First 8 weeks will be spent focused on developing a solid foundation in gender affirming voicework. Space will be provided for the cohort to engage with readings/resources, group discussions, and experientials focused on:

• Unpacking cissexism within ourselves & within the voice
• Embracing a transformational learning & resource-oriented music therapy approach
• Developing awareness of many kinds of vocal embodiments & hormonal environments
• Building knowledge of vocal anatomy & physiology as well as resonance & pitch
• Developing skills for working with the physical voice
• Developing skills for emotional holding
• Developing assessment & evaluation practices
• Exploring ethics & scope of practice

For the remaining 16 weeks, the cohort will be divided into groups of three for triad work, with each triad assigned a trainer who will supervise. Each triad member will rotate through the roles of Facilitator, Participant, and Observer. This will allow each person to: Practice facilitating gender affirming voicework with peers; Explore their relationship with and mechanics of their own voice; and Observe peers to offer feedback. The training will end with the entire group coming back together to process and prepare for clinical work, should they desire to continue on to Level II.

Prerequisites

Board certified music therapist (or similarly credentialed if not based in U.S.) or current enrollment as a music therapy graduate student

Cost

We have been very intentional in our attempts to make this training as accessible and socially just as possible and are therefore using a tiered system for the cost of this training. Please note that being honest about your financial situation enables the growth of more equitable and financially sustainable communities. The cost of this training opportunity reflects a respect and commitment to the work of practitioners in healing fields who have professional costs and living expenses. When paid fairly, the facilitators of this training are able to dedicate more resources to each trainee and can provide more low cost offerings.

• Tier I: $960 - Available for BIPOC queer, transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive music therapists and music therapy students (with the intention being to have scholarship opportunities also available at this tier)
• Tier II: $1280 - Available for marginalized and minoritized music therapists and music therapy students with an economic need
• Tier III: $1600 - Suggested rate for music therapy professionals
• Tier IV: $2080 - Recommended for those who are a part of privileged communities and those able to pay more to support the facilitators in making this training both accessible and sustainable

Please note that we will be offering a 3:1 ratio of trainees to trainers, which means that there will be limited availability for this first training. As such, we will be using an application. More details to come about applications, set to open sometime in October. Thanks for your patience!