Sylka Uhlig

Qualification:

B.A. Music Therapy HAN University (1993), Netherlands; M.A. Music Therapy New York University (2000), USA.
Current position: Lecturer Music Therapy HAN University, Netherlands; PhD student at Aalborg University Denmark (since 2010).

Supervisors:

Tony Wigram & Inge Nygaard Pedersen; Co-promoter Erik Jansen (NL)

Contact details:

Sylka Uhlig, HAN University, Kapittelweg 33; 6525 EN Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Phone: +31243530869 Sylka.Uhlig@han.nl; www.han-cto.nl; www.TouchingVoices.com

Title of PhD research study:

How do vocal interventions of Rap & Singing affect emotional and cognitive development by at-risk children in music therapy?

Summary:

The voice as primary instrument in music therapy is the main focus of this study. The emotional potential natural to the rap/singing experience seems important for aggression regulation and for the development of expressive language. The purpose of this study is twofold; the development of a specific vocal music therapy protocol, and the measurement of the effect of this protocol for the growing group of at-risk population. Through the specific use of the voice by following a protocol of described vocal interventions, emotional and cognitive development will be gravely researched. This research will focus on both aggression regulation and on support of the learning ability of the client. Through the motivating interventions of rap/singing - often used in music therapy - the improvement of verbal skills and expressive language development will be studied by analyzing the client’s specific use of the voice. Through singing or rapping, the youngsters engagement in the music making process offers an interactive collaboration for treatment. The effects of this treatment will be combined and studied in the context of this population: collected data about the ability of aggression regulation and the capacity for development of language support. Finally, the research conclusions will result in a design of a protocol for Rap Music Therapy as a non-verbal form of psychotherapy. The study will work with a mixed method design of qualitative and quantitative methods, and will integrate research about neurological as well as speech development resources.

Publications:

Baker, F. and Uhlig, S. (in preparation, 2011) Voicework in Music Therapy. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Uhlig, S. (in preparation, 2011) Rap & Singing for emotional and cognitive development of at-risk-children. In Voicework in Music Therapy. Baker and Uhlig (Ed) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Uhlig, S. and Baker, F. (in preparation 2011) Voicework in Music Therapy: Pioneers and a New Generation. In Voicework in Music Therapy, Research and Practice. Baker and Uhlig (Ed) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Baker, F. and Uhlig, S. (in preparation) Diversity in approaches to therapeutic voice work: Developing a model of voicework in music therapy. In Voicework in Music Therapy, Research and Practice. Baker and Uhlig (Ed) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Uhlig, S. (in print, 2010) From Violent Rap to Lovely Blues: The Transformation of Aggressive Behavior through Vocal Music Therapy, in Meadows, T. Developments in Music Therapy Practice. Barcelona Publishers.

Uhlig, S. (2009) Voice Forum: The Voice as Primary Instrument in Music Therapy. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.voices.no/mainissues/mi40009000299.php

Uhlig, S. (2008) Die Stimme als primäres Instrument Voice Forum beim Weltkongress in Argentinien 2008, Musiktherapeutische Umschau, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen, Germany

Uhlig, S. (2006) Authentic Voices – Authentic Singing: A Multicultural Approach To Vocal Music Therapy. Barcelona Publishers.

Uhlig, S. (2001) Music of Silence, in American Music Therapy Association. Words of Healing, Notes of Hope. Personal experience living and volunteering in Downtown Manhattan after September 11, 2001

Uhlig, S. (1996) Èen symposium, dat bruggen slug“, in Tijdschrift voor Kreative Therapie, NL (article about old-oriental music therapy of Dr. R. Oruc Güvenc, Turkey)

Conferences & Presentations:

Solo & Co-presentations: Voice Forums and Voice Workshops:

2010 LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, Germany (Benjamin Hoeltje)
2010 European Conference for Music Therapy, Cadiz, Spain
2010 University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
2009 Voice Scope Prague, Czech Republic
2009 Nordoff/Robbins Musik Therapie Verein, Witten, Germany
2009 Nordic Music Therapy Conference, Aalborg, Denmark (Sanne Storm & Inge Nygaard Pedersen)
2008 GNOON, studiedag voor vaktherapeuten, Netherlands
2008 Muziek & Handicap, Belgium
2008 World Conference Music Therapy Buenos Aires, Argentina (Geller, K.R.)
2007 European Conference for Music Therapy, Eindhoven, NL (Geller, K.R.)
2007 ECArTE Conference Tallinn, Estonia
2007 University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
2005 Beth Abraham Health Services, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, NYC, USA

Conferences of American Music Therapy Association (in cooperation with Geller, K.R.) Singing: A Personal and Professional Need:

2005 Garden City, NY
2003 Bethesda, MD
2002 Saratoga Springs, NY
2001 Williamsburg, VA

A Time To Sing, voice workshops (in cooperation with Geller, K.R.):

2001-2005 weekly voicework workshops for music therapy students & others, NYC
2001 New York University, department for music therapy, NYC
2001 Directions in Music Therapy, Sound Health Studio, NYC