Hayes School of Music

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, and Music Therapy Lab. 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, and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. 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 songwriting with and for clients who have witnessed and/or experienced trauma.

Finally, Ms. Christenbury enjoys being an active member of the ASU community. She has served on the Early Intervention Team since 2014, which is a team of volunteer faculty and staff from various departments across campus who are intent on providing resources for undergraduate and graduate students in need. Additionally, she assists with the Upward Bound program and the Trailhead Academy Leadership program during most summers.

Education:

• 2017, Completed Level IIIa Training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, Little Switzerland, NC
• 2016, Mental Health First Aid, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• 2016, Completed Level II Training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, Little Switzerland, NC
• 2010, MMT in Music Therapy, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• 2009, Completed Level I Training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, Little Switzerland, 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., 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.