Illinois Association for Music Therapy

06/01/2026

Shoutout to our new President, Kelly! ✨

It's time for you to meet the new President of Illinois Association for Music Therapy, Kelly Carlson!

Kelly Carlson, Ph.D., LPMT, MT-BC is the Instructor of Music Therapy and Area Head at Western Illinois University. Kelly has been a practicing music therapist in Illinois for over 20 years, working as a clinician, administrator, educator, and advocate for music therapy services. She has also focused on service to the music therapy community through her work on the Iowa Task Force, Vice President of the Midwest Region of AMTA, and as a member of the Workforce Development and Retention Committee. In her spare time (ha!), Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, gardening, and playing with her two dogs and three cats.

Thank you Kelly, for your service to your state, region, and the profession! 🎼

05/29/2026

Just finished your internship? Check out Great Lakes Region of AMTA’s new professional packet linked below!

As we reach the end of another academic year, congratulations to all of the 2026 graduates. The GLR offers a Welcome to the Profession Packet to guide new music therapy professionals. Please share with all those transitioning into this new role!

Check it out here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGD12NqyNQ/G6dIdg0CUEkQOXwiDDE3Nw/view?utm_content=DAGD12NqyNQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor&fbclid=IwY2xjawI2lz1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZM0Kh6HOelpDEWUek_rN6vAs8M_aZMjvvURuUKZDLWIU1PArMDMi_rEjQ_aem_Tp_6uEhrzUUGYipdfW69sw

05/17/2026

Congratulations to our colleagues in Minnesota!!!

04/21/2026

We had a wonderful time at our Spring CMTE on Saturday! A big thank you to Ava Marvin, Beth Blankenship, Akash Bhatia, and Julie Przeslicke for presenting “Student and Intern Supervision: Let’s Do This!”

Attendees left feeling empowered to take on the national roster internship site application and better equipped for supportive and creative supervision with their practicum students and interns (and other music therapists too)! Thanks to all who attended in person and online!

03/31/2026

Last but not least from , we want to send a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to our 2026 Nancy Swanson Service Awardee, Melissa Howard, LPC, LPMT, MT-BC!

The Nancy Swanson Service Award is awarded to a music therapist for their dedicated service to the profession - Melissa embodies that! Melissa has a 17 year tenure on the IAMT Board as the Continuing Education Chair and as she begins to transition out of this role, there is no one more deserving. Melissa, THANK YOU for your service to Illinois music therapists and congratulations!!

03/25/2026

🌷It's that time of year! We are gearing up for our Spring CMTE!🌷

We are proud to be hosting our CMTE on Supervising Students and Interns! This will be a presentation as well as a round table.

WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am-1:30pm at the Park Ridge Library
(HYBRID available)

WHO:
Beth Blankenship, LPMT, MT-BC
Ava Marvin, LPMT, MT-BC
Julie Przeslicke, LPMT, MT-BC
Akash Bhatia, LCPC, LPMT, MT-BC

Credits: 3

Register at link in bio

03/24/2026

Want to take a moment to THANK our entire board for all the work they do to support Illinois music therapists, interns, and students as volunteers!

📸 Photos taken at the Illinois State Meeting at with more board members who attended virtually!

03/19/2026

Time to highlight our schools - & ! We love getting together with current students, alumni, and professors at conference!

03/16/2026

It was so wonderful to see SO many Illinois music therapists at the 2026 conference! 103 Illinoisans registered for conference - in person and virtual! More pictures to come!

02/19/2026

Annual award nominations DUE TOMORROW! Who inspires you? Who fiercely advocates for music therapy?

🏆 It's time! 🏆

It's the IAMT Annual Awards!
Who inspires you? Who fiercely advocates for music therapy? Who goes above and beyond to support the profession?

🏆Annual Awards:
Nancy Swanson Service Award
Honorary Life Member Award
Advocacy Award

Please fill out the form to recognize an amazing therapist!
https://forms.gle/vqwBYgpQPRMEyfXs9
(link in bio)

Deadline is 2/20/26