Guest Music Therapist Michael Viega Presents “Rising from the Ashes”

Guest music therapist Michael Viega presents “Rising from the Ashes” at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15, in Glaize Studio Theatre. “Rising from the Ashes” is a performance that represents the results of an arts-based research study that investigated original songs created by adolescents who had experienced complex trauma and who identify with hip hop culture. During this presentation Viega discusses arts-based research as a methodology that necessitates a sustained creative worldview throughout all aspects of the research process. He does this by sharing his journey of creatively investigating these songs through the art of remixing, authentic movement, mandala drawing, and songwriting. The performance is free and open to the public.

Michael Viega, Ph.D., MT-BC, LCAT, is an assistant professor of music therapy at Montclair State University. Clinically, Dr. Viega has primarily worked with children and adolescents in medical, psychiatric, and community-based settings. His research interests include therapeutic songwriting, adolescents and adverse childhood experiences, the use popular music in music therapy, and arts-based research methods. In addition, he is a practitioner of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and is fellow in the Association of Music and Imagery.

This performance is hosted by the Shenandoah Conservatory music therapy department and the Shenandoah Conservatory Student Council Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.