Although officially in retirement,we are profoundly fortunate that Clive continues to teach an introductory course to NYU students, and contributes to the clinical training of advanced therapists. He is involved in the ongoing compilation of the Center’s archive, and draws on his long experience in the creation of a variety of instructional studies. A world renowned and inspirational lecturer, he is in demand as a spokesperson for creative music therapy both at the Center and in his travels in the USA and overseas. Here he writes about the assembled staff at the Center.

Let me begin with Barbara Hesser, who was instrumental in bringing the work to NYU. The Center’s Director and Head of the Department of Music Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, she has been instrumental in expanding the scope and vision of the work since we began collaborating together in 1988. Her deep understanding and experience in the areas of practice, research and training in the field of music therapy and her belief in the importance of Nordoff-Robbins has enhanced the growth of the Center and strengthened the standing of Nordoff-Robbins in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Alan Turry’s duties as Managing Director involve him in collaborating closely with Professor Hesser in supervising all administrative, financial, research, training, and clinical aspects of the Center’s operation. Alan’s is a multitasking role, he has great expertise with a variety of clinical populations, he is a gifted teacher of improvisation technique, and an insightful, innovative clinician. His expertise on guitar has allowed us to train guitarists in the Certification program. He has led the Center in new developments in both training and research. He has helped to develop and teaches the clinical improvisation track in the graduate music therapy program. Alan maintains active international connections with Japan, Korea, Portugal, and the UK.

All of the full-time staff members focus some of their time on one specific area but fulfill multiple roles: as a therapist with individuals and groups, as an instructor or supervisor in the Center’s training program, as a creator of study and instructional materials, and as a contributor to the Center’s Research Task Force. It has been a delight to work closely with all of them in one capacity or another.

Jacqueline Birnbaum, Administrative Coordinator. Jacqueline coordinates the Center’s treatment program, bringing in groups from various special education programs in the New York City Board of Education and other agencies. She oversees our client intake process and is the direct liaison with parents. She has recently produced a study of a ground-breaking course of therapy with a traumatized girl adopted from China. Jacqueline also specializes in teaching techniques of group music therapy. For several years she has conducted a special program for hearing-impaired students in the city’s public schools. She has presented internationally and has been effective in communicating to other disciplines the potential of music therapy.

Nina Guerrero, Research Coordinator and Liaison to the TOTS Research Project. Nina is the newest full-time staff member. Trained in the approach and an experienced supervisor, she brings expertise in the area of hearing impairment and quantitative research. She is our liaison to TOTS (These Our Treasures), a school for developmentally disabled children in the Bronx, NY, where each year over 100 children receive Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. Forty of those children will be participating in a research project designed to measure the effectiveness of music therapy with children who have developmental disabilities.

David Marcus, Coordinator of Special Projects and Publishing. David’s writing skills and editorial experience are invaluable in special publishing projects; he has collaborated in preparing several professional papers and was closely involved the 2006 published revision of the important Nordoff-Robbins text Creative Music Therapy. He is much in demand in mentoring the students’ professional writing. David is the clinical director of Creative Music Therapy Studio, a community based music therapy program offering music therapy services to various agencies in New York City including TOTS (These Our Treasures).

Michele Schnur Ritholz, Training Coordinator. Michele oversees the Center’s comprehensive training program with NYU fieldwork and interns, Nordoff-Robbins Certification Candidates and NR therapists who wish to advance their clinical work in our Level 2 training program. Michele brings a nurturing sensitivity to Clinical Improvisation Workshop, one of the weekly courses offered at the Center. She is also responsible for organizing continuing education programs for students and professionals. Michele is recognized for her application of the Nordoff-Robbins approach to elderly clients diagnosed with dementia. Recently, her interest and clinical expertise with individuals on the autism spectrum led to her appointment on the Autism Task Force of the American Music Therapy Association.

We have two one day clinicians. Kaoru Robbins is an experienced therapist. Her familiarity with Japanese culture enables her to serve the Center's continually growing connections with the emerging field of music therapy in Japan. Carole-Kolb King brings experience from working in various settings including Hospital work.

I would be remiss if I did not include Kenneth Aigen, formerly Director of Research, and Co-Director. Although Ken is no longer a member of the Center’s staff, he continues his active connection as President of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation. During his fourteen years at the Center, Ken served in several capacities, however it was in the area of qualitative research that he made his major contribution, publishing three books and three monographs deriving essentially from his research into the Nordoff-Robbins Archive and current clinical practice. Through Ken’s innovative work the Center has made a unique contribution of inestimable value to the contemporary literature of music therapy.