Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® 4th International Symposium 2026

THE ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGIC MUSIC THERAPY® 4th INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL CONSENSUS SYMPOSIUM

(Online/Hybrid Synchronous/Asynchronous)

📅 February 20–21, 2026 | 🌐 Online (Hybrid Synchronous/Asynchronous)

Starting at 17:30 on Friday, February 20th, and concluding at 17:30 on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 (American Eastern Standard Time)

We invite you to join us for the 4th Clinical Consensus Symposium: Neuroplasticity in Action. This Symposium will connect relevant cutting-edge research to clinical practice, with a focus on the neurobiological foundations of Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™).

Through expert presentations, participants will explore the fundamental mechanisms underlying applied music neuroscience to optimize the clinical impact of the Transformation Design Model (TDM)™ and the NMT™ System of Techniques. Topics will include:

• Rhythmic entrainment
• Augmented auditory feedback
• Increased neural network connectivity
• Enhanced motivational states
• Assessment
• Reimbursement strategies
• Mechanistic and translational research
• Ethical Considerations and the License Agreement
• And more!

Important Information

• All presentations will be offered live (synchronously) and will also be recorded and posted (asynchronously) to ensure accessibility across time zones. These will be available through the end of April.
• This Symposium is open to affiliates and non-affiliates of the Academy.
• Closed Captioning (with option for translation) provided by Zoom
• All participants are required to either participate in a focused forum during the Symposium OR attend and participate in a Support Chapter Meeting/Focused Forum after the Symposium to receive their certificate and credits
• Presentation schedule is subject to change

Symposium Objectives:

• Participants will identify at least 3 standardized evaluation tools that support clinical decision-making based on specific functional impairments (MT Board Certification Domain II. B. 3,4,5,7,12).
• Participants will write out a description of how they would use the 6 steps of the Transformational Design Model (TDM)(R) to create an appropriate clinical exercise that targets specific functional impairment (III. A. 2, 3, 4, 5).
• Participants will articulate at least 3 examples of current and future directions in telehealth, education, business models, and NMT clinical practice (V.A.2, 7).
• Participants will identify 4 important professional ethical responsibilities related to ethical practices in NMT (V. B. 2).

Professional Development

This 10-hour Symposium will provide NMT™ Affiliates with 10 professional development credits (60 mins = 1hr) that can be applied toward their Academy Affiliation and 12 CMTE credits (50 mins = 1 hr) that can be applied towards CBMT recertification. This opportunity is worth 1 CBMT ethics credit. The certificate of completion received following the Symposium can be submitted as proof of your attendance and participation.

If you are interested in joining from a low-income, lower-middle income, or upper-middle income country (based on World Bank classifications), please reach out to the Academy at training@nmtacademy.co for adjusted registration fees.

Schedule (All times are American Eastern Standard Time):

Friday, February 20th, 2026 (2 hours)

17:30-18:00 Registration
18:00-18:15 Opening Remarks
18:15-19:00 Keynote Address

“Key Underlying Neurobiological Foundations of Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT)™”

Michael Thaut PhD

Professor, CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR TIER I IN MUSIC, NEUROSCIENCE AND HEALTH, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and Rehabilitation Science Institute; Director, Music and Health Science Research Collaborative and Graduate Programs, University of Toronto

19:00-20:00 Translation into Clinical Practice: Case Studies

Saturday, February 21st, 2026 (8 hours)

8:30-9:00 Registration
9:00-9:55 Focused Forums

• Allied Professionals
• Educators/Clinical Supervisors
• Business owners
• Neuro Rehab
• Aging/Older Adult/Gerontology/Hospice and Palliative Care
• Mental Health
• Pediatrics
• General Hospital Setting
• Special Education/ASD/DD
• International Language-based Support Chapter Groups
• • Portuguese
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Korean
  • Cantonese
  • German

10:00-13:00 Developing a Deeper Understanding - Fundamental Mechanisms

• Rhythmic Entrainment
• Augmented auditory feedback
• Increased Neural Network Connectivity
• Enhanced Motivation States

13:00-13:30 Break
13:30-17:15 Translation to Clinical Practice

• Assessment
• Musical/Non-Musical Parallels vs. Non-Musical Exercise
• Mechanistic and translational research
• Current Roles and Settings for NMT™ Practice - Research, Clinical, and Educational
• Expanding the Global Reach of NMT™
• Transformational Design Model (TDM)™ Workshop
• Reimbursement Strategies
• Ethical Considerations and the License Agreement

17:15-17:30 Wrap up

******* PRESENTERS*******

Dr. Michael H. Thaut

Michael H. Thaut received his Masters in Music in 1980 and his PhD in music with a cognate minor in movement science in 1983, both from Michigan State University. He is also a graduate of the Mozarteum Music Conservatory in Salzburg/Austria. At Colorado State University he was a Professor of Music and a Professor of Neuroscience and served as CoDirector of the School of the Arts and Chairman of the Department of Music, Theater, and Dance from 2001-2010. He was also the director of the Center for Biomedical Research in Music for 11 years. He has been a Visiting Professor in medical and music schools around the world (Germany, Italy, USA, Japan), and 2010-2012 was chancellor of the University System of the SRH-Foundation Heidelberg. He currently is Professor of Music with cross appointments in Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Toronto where he directs the Music and Health Research Collaboratory (MaHRC) and the Masters/PhD programs in Music and Health Sciences. He has been a Visiting Professor in medical and music schools around the world (Germany, Italy, USA, Japan), and 2010-2012 was chancellor of the University System of the SRH-Foundation Heidelberg.

Dr. Thaut’s internationally recognized research focuses on brain function in music, especially time information processing in the brain related to rhythmicity and biomedical applications of music to neurologic rehabilitation of cognitive and motor function. He received the National Research Award in 1993 and the National Service Award in 2001from the American Music Therapy Association. He has over 120 scientific publications and has authored and coauthored 3 books. His works have appeared in German, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Spanish language. Popular TV media and numerous print media have featured his research nationally and internationally.

As a former professional violinist in the classic and folk genre he has recorded several recordings of chamber and folk music in the US and Germany and has toured in Europe extensively with folk bands and chamber groups. He is also the author of a landmark anthology of Northern European and American fiddle music. In 1995 his group ‘Folk Chamber Ensemble ‘ played 3 invited concerts at the Northwest German Summer Music Festival entitled ‘Folk Meets Classic’. He continues to perform in small chamber and folk ensembles as time permits.

Corene P. Hurt-Thaut, MT-BC, PhD, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Corene Hurt-Thaut received her master’s in music therapy, and her PhD with an interdisciplinary focus of music, neuroscience and statistical design, from Colorado State University. She served as a special assistant professor of music therapy from 1997-2014, teaching classes in piano technique, music therapy methods and counseling for psychiatric populations, music therapy methods in neuro-rehabilitation, research in music therapy, advanced techniques in neurologic rehabilitation, and seminars in Neurologic Music Therapy®. She was a research associate at The Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University from 1997-2015, and the co-founder and program director of The Unkefer Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy® International Training Institutes and Fellowship Trainings for Neurologic Music Therapy® since 1999. She is nationally and internationally recognized for her clinical expertise in the evidence based practice of Neurologic Music Therapy®, with clinical experience including 3 ½ years as a music therapist at Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital and the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Emory University Medical School in Atlanta, and 4 years as a Neurologic Music Therapist at Poudre Valley Hospital and The Center for Neurologic Rehabilitation in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her work has included a diverse range of clinical populations including: stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and psychiatric disorders. She served on the exam committee for the National Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) as both a member and Committee Chair from 2001-2006, and as an elected member of the CBMT National Board of Directors from 2009-2013. She has also served as President and Vice President of the Midwestern Region of American Music Therapy Association. Dr. Hurt-Thaut has numerous research publications in the area of music and motor control as well as ten book chapters highlighting specific applications of Neurologic Music Therapy® to her credit.

Carolyn A Dobson, CMDCP, AAP-BC, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Carolyn is a Neurologic Music Therapy® Fellow providing clinical services, program consultation, and professional supervision in the Dallas, TX metroplex. Carolyn’s primary clinical focus includes older adults with neurodegenerative diseases and those with acquired/traumatic brain injuries. She serves as the U.S. Liaison on the NMT Academy International Council and is a current member of the NMT Academy Advisory Council.

Caitlin Hebb, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Caitlin Hebb is the Clinical Operations Manager for MedRhythms Therapy. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Therapy, and received her Fellowship from The Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy. Caitlin supervises a team of clinicians and is responsible for implementing and maintaining MedRhythms NMT programs at all of their partnering facilities. Her clinical work is primarily at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where she treats patients experiencing traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, and more. She is passionate about education and advocacy, and has spoken at several regional and national conferences. In addition, Caitlin is the internship and practicum coordinator providing clinical placements for various levels of students interested in NMT.

Cheryl Jones, RP, MTA, PhD, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Cheryl Jones is an accredited music therapist and a registered psychotherapist. She has been a teacher in the music therapy departments at Wilfrid Laurier University and Concordia University and is regularly an invited guest lecturer at universities and conferences. In addition to teaching, she has also provided clinical supervision for student internships. She has served on the accreditation board for the Canadian Association for Music Therapy. Cheryl maintains a private clinical practice working on rehabilitation goals with individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury. She also has clinical experience with other populations including Alzheimer’s and dementia, autism, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s, palliative care, and a range of mental health disorders. Cheryl was one of the first NMTs in Canada and was the first Canadian NMT fellow. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for the NMT Academy.

Suzanne Oliver, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Suzanne Oliver is the Founder and Executive Director of Neurologic Music Therapy® Services of Arizona/NMTSA, a nonprofit organization that has provided clinical music therapy services to the Phoenix community for over 32 years. She also founded a school for students with autism, approved through the Arizona Department of Education, in 2007. Suzanne is a Board Certified Music Therapist received her NMT training in 1999, and additionally has completed three fellowships through the Center for Biomedical Research in Music since that time. Suzanne assisted in developing the Unkefer Academy for Neurologic Music Therapists at CSU and co-authored the Medical Coding and Records Manual: Neurologic Music Therapy®. Her passion is to educate the community on current research regarding the impact of rhythm on the brain and how this knowledge can positively impact the treatment of individuals with neurologic differences and improve their everyday life.

Nicole Richard Williams, MT-BC, PhD Candidate, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow

Nicole Richard Williams is in the final stages of completing her PhD in Music and Health Sciences at the University of Toronto with Dr. & Dr. Thaut. She also teaches music therapy at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Nicole’s research is investigating how Neurologic Music Therapy® impacts motor skills in autistic children and adults, which includes as applications to telehealth and more basic research on the influence of sound on motor timing.

The Academy is approved by the U.S. Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) as an advanced provider for Continuing Music Therapy Education (CMTE) credits [The Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy®, #P-105, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria].

This 10-hour Symposium will provide the NMT Affiliate with 10 professional development credits (60 mins=1hr) that can be applied toward their Academy Affiliation and 12 CMTE credits (50 mins=1 hr)that can be applied towards CBMT recertification. The certificate of completion received following the Symposium can be submitted as proof of your attendance and participation.

For questions, please contact Kim Albanowski at nmt@nmtacademy.co