Rashmi Ethiraju is a Music Therapist at Bangalore, India.My Music Therapy journey (13 years and still going on)… Certified Music therapist from NADA centre of Music Therapy and MS in psychotherapy and counselling, PGD in SEN, Certificate in Counselling Teachers and Certificate in Teaching)“ Be the change that you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi said; is what I always believe.Apart from training in Carnatic classical vocal since childhood, I also have been trained in other genres of music (light music, folk music, playback singing and a short term western vocal course). I had worked for a software firm but music was always a passion for me. I always had compassion and empathy towards differently abled individuals. This made me explore avenues in this area. I approached “Meera centre for Music Therapy Education and Research” in the year 2009 and since then my personal and professional growth is continuing in a positive direction under the able guidance and support of Dr Meenakshi Ravi, training children and adults with different abilities: such as ADD, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral palsy, personality disorder, Schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, etc employing various techniques enabling them to address their non musical goals through music.
Services Offered:
I served as a Music Therapist at “Richmond Fellowship Society” – Rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged individuals for 2 years.I also served as a Music Therapist at “Brindavan Education Trust” – A Centre for Children with Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) and “Tom and Jerry Nursery and Special School”- an Integrated School for normal children and children with different abilities.
Working with pregnant women through music has yielded very good results to ease anxiety and stress which are common in pregnancy. Positive approach to maintain their health and care for the foetus is one of the results found in pregnant women.
Another area of Music Therapy which has always been close to my heart is Geriatric care and old age. Different types of Geriatric cases like Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, Bone fractures, Retinal myopathy, Nerve degeneration, Depression, Aphasic (post operative speech problem), other old age issues were the clients at Old Age Home – “Faith Foundation for elderly care”.
Music teacher at Shankar Mahadevan Academy for Joyful Choir (Band for Autistic children) and Dignity Foundation (Enabling senior citizens age gracefully by giving them joy of music)
I have been growing as a resource person giving lecture demonstrations on different dimensions of Music Therapy.
Impact of music therapy on geriatric care and old age – Music therapy conference organised by NADA centre (23/10/2016)
Disorders and case study presentations in a Music Therapy workshop “SAMA” organised by ASHA foundation (25/10/2017)
Interviewed by News India channel regarding Music Therapy sharing my personal experience (27/05/2017)
About various disorders, experiential analysis and case study presentation organised by a software firm VMWare for their employees (28/02/2018)
Case study presentation in Ananya auditorium at a Music Therapy workshop(10/06/2018)
Case study presentation, personal experience and qualities of a Music Therapist at aMusic Therapy conference organised by IMTA at Hyderabad (23/02/2019)
Applications of Music Therapy, qualities of a Music Therapist and experiential analysis at a Music Therapy conference organised by IMTA at Hubli (10/03/2019)
Have given an awareness program about Music Therapy on the occasion of world Music day organised by FM 91.1 (21/06/2019)
Experiential analysis – case study presentation at a national Music therapy conference organised by Manollasini trust (08/12/2019)
Presentation on various concepts of music therapy in a 2 day workshop organised by Jain college for students pursuing masters in psychology (06/03/2020 and 07/03/2020)
Awareness talk on Music Therapy on the occasion of world Music day organised by IT nature trust and Rotary Bangalore Health city (21/06/2020)
Music Therapy for self and others on world Music day in web series organised by IMTA (21/06/2020)
Music Therapy for self and others: Application of Music Therapy at various stages of life in the 3rd annual international Music Therapy conference organised by IMTA(06/12/2020)
Guest faculty for Music therapy course for Medical practitioners and Paramedicals – Yenepoya Medical college, Mangalore (Dec 2021 and Jan 2022)
Faculty and Course coordinator for the Music therapy course (NADAVIKASANA) by Meera Centre for Music therapy Education and Research (August 2021 to March 2022)
Being a music therapist has enabled me to learn many new techniques, adapting to various environments, acceptance, and has increased my level of creativity, perception and patience. I have been using different forms of Carnatic music therapeutically, in accordance with the needs of the clients helping them cope up with their difficulties.I have contributed two chapters for a Music therapy book – “Health and Harmony”authored by Dr Meenakshi Ravi released in Music Therapy conference (08/12/2019)
Experience (Current Position & Previous Positions)
Served as a Music Therapist at “Richmond Fellowship Society” – Rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged individuals for 2 years.
Served as a Music Therapist at “Brindavan Education Trust” – A Centre for Children with Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia)
Music teacher at Shankar Mahadevan Academy for Joyful Choir (Band for Autistic children) and Dignity Foundation
Education & Certificates
Certified Music therapist from NADA centre of Music Therapy and MS in psychotherapy and counselling, PGD in SEN, Certificate in Counselling Teachers and Certificate in Teaching)
Awards
Awards and Recognitions:
I was bestowed with “Bhoomika- iconic women award” on the occasion of International
Women’s day organised by Eastern Masala (08/03/2020)
Received “Nada Award of Excellence” by Nada centre of Music Therapy (01/01/2021)
Received the Title “Meera’s Music Therapy Excellency Award” from Meera Centre for Music Therapy Education and Research (03/04/2022) for my service to the field of Music Therapy
