Prof. Katurah Christenbury, MMT, MT-BC, FAMI

Christenbury
First Name: 
Prof. Katurah
Last Name: 
Christenbury, MMT, MT-BC, FAMI
Main Title: 
Senior Lecturer, Music Therapy
Office Location: 
Room 457, Broyhill Music Center
Phone Number: 
828-262-6306
Area(s): 

A music therapist since 2009, Katurah Christenbury joined the Hayes School of Music in 2011. Currently, she teaches Functional Guitar Techniques I & II, Clinical Group Improvisation, Music Therapy Lab, Exploring Music Therapy, Foundational Music Therapy Techniques, and Clinical Research Project. Having provided clinical music therapy services for children, adolescents, and young adults with behavioral and emotional needs, Ms. Christenbury has supervised pre-internship students across a wide variety of populations, including: special education programs; after-school programs for at-risk youth; older adults at assisted living facilities; adults with intellectual disabilities; preschool aged children at risk for communication and developmental delays; and adults with mental illness in both inpatient and outpatient facilities.

Ms. Christenbury holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Music Studies, with an emphasis on vocal performance from Milligan College (2005), an equivalency in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University (2008), and a Master's in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University (2010). Ms. Christenbury completed additional training in Orff-Schulwerk, the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and the Austin Vocal Psychotherapy Method. She has presented at community awareness programs on uses of self-care for the parent/caregiver/professional, as well as taught strategies for working with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs. She has also presented at regional music therapy conferences on the uses of song writing with children who have been traumatized, song writing for group work, and the combined use of movement and music in therapy work. Her research interests include the use of various music therapy techniques including songwriting and GIM for clients who have experienced trauma in varying forms. 

Finally, Ms. Christenbury enjoys being an active member of the App State community. She served on the Early Intervention Team for three years, participated in the Upward Bound and Trailhead Academy Leadership summer programs, and is faculty advisor to the student music therapy club AMTSA.  Additionally, she has served on a number of faculty search committees.  

Education:

  • 2024, Practitioner of the Austin Vocal Psychotherapy Method. New York, NY
  • 2020, Fellow of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • 2016, Mental Health First Aid, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • 2010, MMT in Music Therapy, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • 2008, Equivalency in Music Therapy, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • 2007, Completed Level I Training in the Orff-Schulwerk Method, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
  • 2005, Bachelor of Arts, Milligan College, Elizabethton, TN (Cum Laude)

Professional Affiliations & Honors:

  • Music Therapist-Board Certified. Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).
  • American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
  • Pi Kappa Lambda
  • Alpha Chi

Publications and Presentations:

Publications:

  • Christenbury, K. R. (2020). Finding movement after a stroke: A case study. Journal of the Association for Music and Imagery, 17, 20-36. 
  • Christenbury, K. R. (2017). I will follow you: The combined use of songwriting and art to promote healing in a child who has been traumatized. Music Therapy Perspectives, 35, 1-12.
  • Leonard, K. R. (2010). A search for wholeness: Songs of healing for adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. Unpublished thesis manuscript.

Presentations:

  • Christenbury, K. (2023). Speaking through melody: Songwriting with adolescents. Coastal Harmony Online Student Music Therapy Conference. Online; Invited guest.
  • Christenbury, K. (2022). Finding relaxation and empowerment through music. Watauga County Compassionate Initiative (WCCI). Boone, NC.
  • Christenbury, K. (2018). Being seen through music and movement. Peer to Peer. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
  • Christenbury, K. (2018). Beginning vocal improvisation. AMTSA. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. 
  • Christenbury, K. (2017). How to write your first song: Songwriting for beginners. Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)—Appalachian Chapter. Boone, NC.
  • Christenbury, K., Bodry, K., Mercier, A., Spence, C., Valitutto, C., & Wills, E. (2017). "I've got rhythm! At least I think I do...". SER-AMTA Conference. Chapel Hill, NC
  • Christenbury, K. & Rayburn, A. (2017). I can hear your privilege from all the way over here: How to acknowledge your privilege to be a better music therapist. SER-AMTA Conference. Chapel Hill, NC
  • Christenbury, K. (2016). Songwriting for beginners: Strategies and techniques to encourage songwriting in an individual or group setting. SER-AMTA Conference. Macon, GA
  • Christenbury, K. (2016). Music therapy and mental health. NAMI presentation. Boone, NC
  • Christenbury, K. (2016). What is music therapy? Seminar for graduate counseling students. Milligan College, Elizabethton, TN
  • Christenbury, K. (2015). I will follow you: The combined use of songwriting and art to promote healing in a child who has been traumatized. SER-AMTA Conference. Columbia, SC
  • Scantlin, C., & Christenbury, K. (2013). Music and wellness: The combined use of yoga and live music to support physical and emotional well-being. Interactive group presentation for faculty and staff, Appalachian State University. Boone, NC
  • Christenbury, K. & Dempsey, D. (2012). Music therapy techniques with children and teens in foster care. Children's Advocacy Center, Boone, NC
  • Rayburn, A. & Christenbury, K. (2011). Strategies and techniques when working with children with autism. Department of Social Services, Jefferson, NC.