About Kat Fulton

I am a speaker and board-certified music therapist.
Author Archive | Kat Fulton

Stretchy Band Producer Creates For The Q-Chord Too!

By on April 16, 2012 in Business & Practice, Kat's Musings

Did you ever wonder whether or not there was an actual PERSON behind the stretchy band? Well, there is! Her name is Janet Stephens. She manufactures them along with a bunch of other goodies you can find in her online store. I met her online through her music therapist sister Kathy Schumacher.

Janet sent me her signature Q-Chord gig bag to review – Click play to watch it in action!

I’ve gotten to meet a lot of creative innovators over the past couple of years… Michelle Erfurt, Remo Belli, Craig Ramsell, Terri Smith-Morse. My friend Dayna‘s mom makes drum cases and mallets. Even Jessy Rushing told me about one of her secret inventions that I can’t tell you yet…

Since we’re all born making music, I also believe we are all BORN inventors. Let us know in the comments what kind of inventive ideas you’ve had. Have you figured out a way to make your life easier? Have you designed a system for your own personal health and healing? Do you have a great idea that just waiting on the right chemist and engineer to bring it into fruition?

Feel free to share your etsy shop links and websites!

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Calling all music therapists! Ecuador is in the market for YOU.

By on April 9, 2012 in Kat's Musings

What better way to make ‘rhythm for good’ than to connect YOU with someone requesting music therapy services? However, this is no average referral. This is no every-day doctor’s order you get after attending rounds in the hospital. This is ECUADOR.

Click play to find out how I crossed paths with Aldo Farfan.

Interested in the book I mention? It’s Strengths Finder 2.0. You would dig it.

Remember, this award-winning center in Ecuador that serves kids with special needs is lacking music therapy, but they have recreational music making. They need music therapy. This could be your big chance…

If you are interested in this project, please email an introduction of yourself, the reason for your interest, your location, and your experience and credentials (if applicable) – Aldo will get back to you immediately!

Here’s the email address: EcuadorMT@gmail.com

Meanwhile, please enjoy these photos of the center in Ecuador (used with permission):

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Ecuador music therapy

Here’s a great press release (in Spanish):
http://www.eluniverso.com/2012/03/29/1/1528/musicoterapia-sambo.html

And here are some AMAZING videos on the center (in Spanish):
Video #1
Video #2
Video #3
Video #4
Video #5

In the comments, please tell me, have you ever been a traveling music therapist? traveling drum circle facilitator? traveling musician?

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A Boomwhacker Birthday Music Makin Monday!

By on April 2, 2012 in Boomwhackers®, Business & Practice

I’m takin’ it easy this week because it’s my birthday on Wednesday! I usually don’t ask for much. I usually keep myself on the down-low. I usually enjoy a nice, dark Kat-cave for my birthday. But this year I thought I’d try something new.

I’m shouting it out to the world! And I’m asking for a little birthday present from you.

Watch the video for all the details . . .

I’m giving a HUGE THANK YOU to BOOMWHACKERS.COM for supplying us with the partay favors!!! 3 prizes for you!

2 Boomwhacker WhackPacks (Valued at $50 each):

boomwhackers



And 1 Drumify DVD (Valued at $35):

Drumify

Leave a comment by Thursday at midnight. We’ll randomly pick the 3 winners on Friday. Thanks for celebrating with me!

(By the way, the client example I used in the video was just a silly one to get your juices going. If you actually have something to say about your clients, then please make sure to abide by all HIPAA and privacy regulations. But you already knew that!) ;)

UPDATE! Congratulations to Peta Minter, Mary Carter, and Ashley for getting the free stuff!

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Music Therapist = Masters Degree. What do YOU think?

By on March 28, 2012 in Kat's Musings

I have to say, the town hall meeting with the ETAB (Education and Clinical Training Board) at the WRAMTA conference last weekend got pretty hot and loaded… in a good way. Closed doors with little air circulation made it hot. Packed house and standing-room-only made it loaded.

I’m so glad that the ETAB is touring around from regional conference to regional conference, listening to the concerns and questions of AMTA members across the country.

There’s been lots of talk on Facebook about it. Other bloggers are expressing their opinions as well.

Masters level Entry Music Therapy

I won’t beat the dead horse by making a million points about why we should or should not do it. Besides, I’m practicing minimalism these days.

My only big-picture concern is numbers. Our profession is so small. Will requiring a masters degree make our numbers dwindle, while already it’s so difficult to match supply with demand of our services?

Only time will tell. BUT, you have a unique opportunity.

You can directly contact the ETAB by leaving a comment and/or question with the links listed here. Make sure you scroll to the bottom. And check out this document I stumbled upon, which expresses the concerns of Michael Silverman, PhD, MT-BC.

That’s it! Voice your opinion and let them know what you really think. Here’s your chance. The link to ETAB is http://www.musictherapy.org/careers/ctindex/

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Have You Ever Heard This Aborigine Lullaby?

By on March 26, 2012 in Music & Wellness

I just returned from the WRAMTA conference, had a blast, and now it’s time to rest. When I have this lullaby playing in my mind, it brings me into complete relaxation.

Click play to hear the Aboriginal lullaby I learned from some friends:

I found out that the book I mention in the video is NOT out of print! Here’s the world lullabies book that I love to use.

Lullabies of the World

Also, you can download my handy little score for free! I wrote the words out phonetically with scale degrees and standard western rhythmic notation, so keep that in mind when traveling to Australia and hanging with the Aborigines ;)

Now, tell me in the comments, what are your most favorite lullabies? Have you sung someone to sleep lately?

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