Dear Friends and Colleagues –
Thank you to all attendees who participated in our Spring Conference, held from March 26-28 2026, at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside. The conference was a resounding success, and attendees enthusiastically embraced the theme of “The Power of Community!”
This year’s conference hosted 178 attendees, consisting of professionals and students. We were able to offer 4 CMTE sessions with our first ever virtual CMTE – these 3 and 5 hour presentations consisted of between 4-8 participants – and throughout the conference, we offered 24 concurrent sessions which included new presenters within our field and our region. This conference partnered with a record 13 businesses and organizations to support this event through sponsorship, exhibits and advertisements. We had exciting door prizes from a local business and a music therapy business, along with books from AMTA, all of which were given to conference participants chosen at random. Our opening event on Thursday, March 26th, was hosted by members of our vibrant outgoing student board (NER-AMTAS), and was full of music making and networking, followed by a packed Friday schedule including the spring business meeting and a lunchtime event featuring our keynote speaker, Nathan Mensah, who sparked passion around building community through music. On Friday evening a variety of different meeting spaces were offered; from networking opportunities, to yoga, and collegiate gatherings; and concluded with live music from our house band (comprised of Anna Maria alumni and music therapists from around the region), and an open mic cabaret that showcased beautiful talent from within our community. Saturday provided more networking opportunities over breakfast, concurrent sessions throughout the day, and an intimate closing circle facilitated by New Hampshire-based music therapist, Julieann Hartley, who performs as Miss Julieann. During the closing circle, several first time NERAMTA participants expressed feeling welcomed by the community, a testament to the strength and warmth resonating from our attendees. Our conferences offer valuable insights and takeaways that can inspire, comfort, and educate individuals regardless of their attendance.
The conference was meticulously planned and executed by Vice President Emily Hawley and Vice President-Elect Ali Iaria, with valuable support from other executive board members, notably
For those who were unable to attend, the draft minutes of the General Membership Meeting held on Friday, March 27, are available for your reference here.
NER-AMTAS
NER-AMTAS board members facilitated an exciting and well-organized Opening Session which included a toning experience, multiple percussion experiences, and networking bingo, with approximately 100 participants. The students of our region also announced the election results, with several students returning to serve on the board. We will be updating our website shortly to reflect these changes. We also met with NER-AMTAS board members to discuss ways that the professional Executive Board can help support them individually, as they continue or take on leadership roles.
NER-AMTAS Student Board:
President: Ella Welch, Westfield State
President-Elect: Anushri Sandeep, Berklee
VP of Berklee: Natalia Herrera
VP of SCSU: Taylor Wilmott
VP of URI: Samantha Lagrasse
VP of Westfield: Ella Hamel
VP of Lesley: Mike Silveira
Secretary: Tanvi Jajodia, Berklee
Treasurer: Vacant
Chair, Advocacy: Felicia Braganza, Berklee
Chair, Public Relations: Ana Carolina Neves, URI
Parliamentarian: Vandy Benson, URI
KEYNOTE PANEL LUNCHTIME DISCUSSION
This year, our keynote speaker, Nathan Mensah, truly embodied our theme, “The Power of Community.” He opened his presentation by inviting the entire room to sing together, instantly creating a sense of unity and connection. Throughout his talk, Nathan consistently returned to the idea of community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and working together to achieve shared goals.One specific example he shared was a hospital community choir, where professionals from across the hospital were invited to join him in singing. This initiative fostered a strong sense of belonging, allowing individuals to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and experience the unifying power of music. Nathan observed that, over time, this shared experience began to shift how colleagues viewed one another professionally, encouraging greater appreciation, collaboration, and the integration of each other’s practices.
ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN
Last year, we introduced a Conference Accountability Plan to reinforce our conference code of conduct and ensure appropriate support structures were in place for all attendees. As part of registration, all participants reviewed and acknowledged the code of conduct, establishing a shared understanding of expectations for the event.
This year, the plan continued with President Shannon Laine and President-Elect Krystal Demaine serving as designated points of contact from Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon. In addition, a colleague with mental health counseling credentials was available as a resource if needed.
The availability of these supports provided attendees with a clear and accessible pathway for communication throughout the conference. While the mental health contact was not called upon for direct intervention, the contact line was utilized by conference attendees for a range of needs, reinforcing its value as part of the overall conference experience.
We will continue to build on this approach in future conferences, with a focus on maintaining a safe, respectful, and responsive environment for all participants.
AWARDS
At the General Membership Meeting (minutes are here) on March 27, a number of awards were given.
Two NER Presidential Service Awards:
Brian Jantz, NER Service Award
Brian has been a practicing MT-BC for over 25 years, and in addition his many years as a professor and practicum supervisor for Berklee College of Music (where he has enhanced the education of thousands of students), he has also held the role of NER representative for the Association Internship Approval Committee for a number of years, devoted six years of his time and energy to the NER Presidency commitment, acted with grace and diplomacy as Speaker of the Assembly during a tenuous time in AMTA’s history, and has/will continue to serve our region and our field as AMTA President, his tenure as AMTA President-Elect having started this year. His commitment to the field and to the region has extended beyond the classroom and clinic, and his warm and empathetic presence is exactly what we need in the people who serve all of us.
Nicole O’Malley, NER Impact Award
Nicole has been a cornerstone of our region for over 20 years, and in addition to building Rhode Island music therapy from the ground up, (serving thousands of clients and building (and heading) the music therapy program at URI) she also has acted in a variety of roles in NER, including as the NER representative of the AMTA Government Relations Committee, and as an advocate of licensure, ensuring that RI secure MT licensure. She deserves recognition for the impact her work has had on our region.
A number of students were awarded membership scholarships by AMTA. By school, the students awarded were:
Lesley
- Returning Student: Mike Silveira
- Graduating Student: Katherine Perkoski
Berklee
- Returning Student: Jan Portisch
- Graduating Student: Elsbeth O’Toole
Westfield
- Returning Student: Maddy Kolb
- Graduating Student: Priscilla Oluokun
Southern Connecticut
- Returning Student: Chris Zablan
- Graduating Student: Felicia Didiano
Univ. Rhode Island
- Returning Student: Chelsea Gartland
- Graduating Student: Justin St. Clair
Congratulations!
PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
We remain committed to enhancing the accessibility of our conferences while increasing transparency related to planning efforts. It is with this in mind that we invite you to contribute. Whether through site selection feedback or volunteering time on the Conference Board, we are asking for contributions and involvement from New England music therapists. The following forms will be utilized to gather information, connect with our local community, and commence planning a conference for 2027.
Conference Site Selection Feedback
NER Conference Committee – 2027
In closing, we offer our sincere thanks to all who helped shape this year’s Spring Conference.
Your engagement—as attendees, presenters, organizers, and sponsors—made this a space for meaningful learning, connection, and reflection. The conversations and collaborations that emerged here are the foundation for continued growth within our community.
We remain committed to strengthening future conferences by prioritizing accessibility, centering diverse perspectives, and aligning our practices with our shared values. This includes ongoing efforts to ensure our gatherings are not only welcoming, but also responsible, responsive, and grounded in care for the communities we serve.
As we look toward 2027, we will continue building on this work with intention and transparency. We are grateful for your role in shaping the NER-AMTA community and look forward to the ways you will carry this work forward in the field of music therapy.
Warm regards,
Shannon