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Though the 2020 World Congress of Music Therapy probably wasn’t the event any of us were anticipating for the past three years, I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to “attend” as a student scholarship recipient, and also for the opportunity to present some of my own research. I was thoroughly impressed with the conference organizers’ ability to transition to the virtual format so smoothly, and really harness the perks of going online – increasing attendance, availability, and accessibility – ultimately bringing the congress to even more music therapists around the world.
Because of the extended availability of the recorded presentations, there was no dilemma in choosing which concurrent sessions to attend, since they would be available to me after the congress. Presentations that I attended live during the conference allowed me to interact with the presenters in real time, which was a great feature and provided a sense of connection that can be difficult to achieve virtually. I was able to hear about music therapy research from all over the world, and was inspired by the sense of international collaboration. It was useful and informative to hear presentations related to my current research, and eye-opening to hear of other areas of music therapy research. Presentations during the spotlight sessions brought up crucial points of consideration for the field of music therapy, with productive discussion to inspire and propel the profession forward.
My overall impression that has stuck with me since the conference, is that music therapy is truly at a turning point in its evolution. I encourage other attendees of WCMT 2020 to use the presentations and discussions that have inspired you, educated you, or stirred something inside you, as a starting point for further education, discussion, and collaboration to continue moving the field forward.
