University of Kentucky Music Therapy

09/30/2026

🍂 Dr. ARH got a taste of fall weather (and a Nor'easter!) at the CBMT Board of Directors Meeting this past weekend in Philly. We're proud to share that she was elected Secretary of the CBMT Board of Directors, beginning in 2027.

Service to the music therapy profession through CBMT is both meaningful and rewarding - give it some thought for the next willingness to serve call, MT-BCs!

Alt Text: Group photo of CBMT Board members outdoors under a faux floral awning, left to right: Jennifer Jones Beckner (Public Member), Alaine Reschke-Hernandez (Sec. 2027), Maria Nowlin (Exam Comm liaison), Jennifer Mankowski (Exec. Dir.), Noah Potvin (Chair thru 2026), Amy Robertson (Cont Ed Comm liaison through 2026; Chair 2027), Nikki Belshe (Sec/Treas through 2026). Not pictured: Chris Millett (Public Info & Outreach Comm Liaison; Treas 2027).

09/23/2026

Read all about it! Sierra Turner, a post-bacc trainee in Alaine Reschke-Hernandez's IMAGN Lab, is featured in this article. Way to go Sierra!

The Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Training and Education Program (KYAD-PREP) is supported by a five-year, $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The program provides paid, full-time research positions, mentorship, coursework and professional development for recent colle...

09/22/2026

Help Us Shape Joyful Voices! 🎵 We're taking the next step in developing a dementia-friendly community music program and we'd love your input on the logo selection! 👍for Option A and💜 for Option B.

Vote with your reaction! 👍for option A, and ❤ for option B

Which of these logo options do you prefer? Tell us by selecting "like" or "love" as your reaction. We'd also love to know any other thoughts you have about these options in the comments.

Your response will help our music therapy research team to create a community input-driven, memory-loss inclusive choir program.

08/21/2026

New publication post! Drumming-based exercise may improve driver reaction time for older adults! The results are from the U.S.-based pilot study from our international interdisciplinary team, which included faculty and students from University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky Physical Therapy Program, UK College of Fine Arts, University of Kentucky School of Music

"Effects of a Rhythmic Drumming and Movement Intervention on Reaction Time in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Nonrandomized Pilot Study" by Robinson, Reschke-Hernandez, Moshos, Wright, Walsh, Graff, Ekins, Davey, Wilkinson, and Johnson. Published in the Journal of Advanced Research in Education (June 2026). This pilot study examines the effects of rhythmic drumming and movement on motor performance in older adults. https://doi.org/10.1155/jare/3084489

Driving is often the preferred mode of mobility for older adults in the United States, yet age-related functional declines increasingly compromise driver safety. Driver reaction time is one of the mo...

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Jameka Redden, MT-BC!!!! Jameka just passed her board certification exam! We are so proud of you, Jameka!

08/12/2026

New publication post!

This manuscript was coauthored by our University of Kentucky School of Music faculty, Drs. Austin Robinson and Alaine Hernandez, and our colleague from the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences, Dr. Nathan Johnson.
"The ATTAIN Framework: Assessing Telehealth Readiness in Music Therapy", published in Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 44, Issue 2 (August 2026), presents a framework for evaluating telehealth readiness for music therapists and those who use our services. We provide a clinical version mapped to a typical music therapy session workflow in the supplemental downloads.

https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miag008

We hope you find the assessment helpful and look forward to your thoughts!

Abstract. Telehealth music therapy is an increasingly important mode of service delivery, offering flexible access to care across geographical, physical, a

06/05/2026

Kentucky’s only state-funded kinship reunification program to close June 30. If you’re interested in supporting efforts to fund this program, there’s a letter in the comments you can share with local and state leaders.

The Bair Foundation's Kindred Roots will end free services for 278 families in Fayette, Madison, Scott and Clark counties

04/02/2026

Woah—ARH was on the radio! 🎙️
Check out this interview featuring insights on how person-centered care can improve life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

For many Kentuckians with dementia, medical interventions may seem like the only choice, but a new University of Kentucky study shows that prioritizing joy and engagement through enrichment activities is vital for the health of both residents and the caregivers who support them. Researchers from the...

03/13/2026

Check this out!! if you live in Lexington! 🎵 Thank you for your support and collaboration, Council Member Tyler Morton - Lexington's 1st District!

Help Design a Memory-Friendly Community Choir in Lexington!

Researchers at the University of Kentucky and Wildwood Music Therapy are inviting Lexington community members to help co-create a memory-loss–inclusive, intergenerational choir.

Who can participate:

· Adults (18+) with or without memory loss

· Adolescents (13–17) with parent/guardian permission

· Residents of City Council District 1 or 2

· Community organizations in Lexington

· Interest in arts, aging, or dementia support

What participation involves:

· Creative reflection activities

· Actively share your experiences and ideas

· Compensation available Interested? Contact [email protected] or complete the eligibility form.