From left to right: Xueli Tan; Ng Wang Feng Science of the Arts: Signs of the times of Music Therapy
This talk will cover selected aspects of the neurobiology of music, the effects of music on the brain, and the applications of science in music therapy. The audience will be exposed to the wide application of music therapy with diverse clients through the presentation of selected case studies. In addition, this talk will provide audience with information on job prospects and various education options for aspiring music therapist in Singapore. Music therapists in Singapore mainly work in organizations catered to provide care and treatment services for various stages of life. Music therapy is a viable allied health profession for those with a passion in using music to make a difference.
Dr. Xueli Tan has been a clinical / research music therapist for the last 20 years. Born in Singapore and now based in the United States, she has served as Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and as Presidential Research Fellow at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Tan is a recipient of multiple international and national research awards and fellowships. She is an award-winning researcher with specialisations in medical music therapy, pain management, music perception, and multicultural issues in music therapy education, training, and clinical practice. Dr. Tan has published her research in both medical and music therapy scientific journals. Recently, she co-edited the book Cultural Intersections in Music Therapy: Music, Health, and the Person (Barcelona Publishers, 2017). She currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Music Therapy (USA).
Ng Wang Feng is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She graduated with a Master of Music Therapy from Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, in 2005. She is currently serving at St. Andrew's Community Hospital, and is the lecturer of Music Therapy modules at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She is also the founding President of the Association for Music Therapy (Singapore) and is a professional member of the American Music Therapy Association.