Dr. Noriko Nakamura is a PhD-level board-certified music therapist, neurologic music therapist, and hospice & palliative care-certified music therapist. She has been working as a clinician in the Kansas City area since 2004 and frequently conducts presentations at national and local conferences/events. Her clinical experience includes serving clients with acquired brain injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury), dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease), developmental disabilities, and terminal illness.
Noriko began receiving piano lessons and ear training at the age of three, which helped her develop perfect pitch. She plays music by ear and by notation. Her musical skills include piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, and autoharp. Noriko obtained all of her music therapy degrees (bachelor, master, and Ph.D.) from the University of Kansas. When she is not working, Noriko enjoys baking bread, taking walks, and doing yoga.
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Presentations:
Oct. 2021: Presented the research poster “A Systematic Review of Music Interventions Targeting Memory in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury” at the American Music Therapy Association National Conference (online)
March 2021: Presented “Neuroscience of Memory and Applications for Music Therapy” at the American Music Therapy Association Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Conference (online)
Nov. 2020: Presented “Memory, Brain, and Music Interventions for Memory Impairments in Adults with Brain Injuries” at the American Music Therapy Association National Conference (online)
Nov. 2020: Presented the research poster “Emerging Conceptual Framework for Music’s Influences on Verbal Memory in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury” at the American Music Therapy Association National Conference (online)
Feb 2020: Presented “Exploring How and Why Music Interventions Influence the Ability to Remember Spoken Information in Adults with Acquired Brain Injuries” at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit
Nov. 2018: Presented “Hospice Music Therapy” via Skype at Southwestern Oklahoma State University
July 2017: Presented “Neurologic Music Therapy for Rehabilitation” for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses at Mid America Rehabilitation Hospital
March 2017: Presented “Neurologic Music Therapy for Brain Injury” at Brain Injury Association Survivor and Family Regional Seminar
May 2016: Presented “Reimbursement & Private Practice” at the University of Missouri – Kansas City
Nov. 2014: Presented “Music Therapy in Acute Care Settings” (CEU for professionals) at North Kansas City Hospital
Nov. 2013: Presented “Evidence-Based Practice: Music Therapy in Hospice” (CEU for professionals) at Northcare Hospice
May 2012: Presented “Cultural Competency – East Asia” at a training held by Kansas City Metro Music Therapists (KCMMT)
Nov. 2011: Co-presented “Life Quality through Music Therapy over Expanded Life Spans in Dementia Care” with Dr. Alicia Clair, Ph.D., MT-BC, and Ms. Yu-Ling Chen at the American Music Therapy Association National Conference.
May 2011: Co-presented “Music Therapy to Add Life Quality to Expanded Life Spans” with Dr. Alicia Clair, Ph.D., MT-BC, Dr. Toby Turner, and Ms. Yu-Ling Chen at Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy of Music Education with Major in Music Therapy (PhD), University of Kansas, 2022
Master of Music Education with Major in Music Therapy (MME), University of Kansas, 2013
Bachelor of Music Education with Major in Music Therapy (BME), University of Kansas, 2003
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