Amy
is a classically trained harpist and has played for over
33 years. She studied at Indiana University with Susanne
McDonald and Linda Wood and currently plays professionally
in the St. Louis area.
She is very involved in helping to increase the awareness
of the power of music, sound and vibrations by developing
research studies with innovative researchers; by sharing
educational presentations within the medical community;
and by offering performances throughout the St. Louis
area.
Solo
Harp CDs by Amy
THE
MAGIC MIRROR - "INSPIRED REFLECTIONS"
Pilot study QEEG research has shown this 23 min. solo
harp CD had a direct positive impact on neurological functioning
in 4 women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer
after listening just once a day for 10 days. They also
reported "improved concentration and focus,"
"feeling better," and "more relaxed"
as indicated in daily questionnaires .Listen
to samples and buy now...
NEW LOVE "AWAKEN TO YOURSELF"
Amy presents an enchanting collection of solo harp music
with soothing and relaxing melodies that are perfect for
those who are stressed out, need sleep or just want to
relax. Pilot study research has shown this CD induces
a state of relaxation in 4 minutes by decreasing beta
waves and increasing alpha wave frequencies in the brain.
Listen
to samples and buy now...
A SPACE WITHIN
Amy shares her original solo harp expressions of feelings
and emotions that allow the listener to create their own
titles, write their own words, dance their own dance as
they listen and connect with their space within. Listen
to samples and buy now...
LOVE AND GRATITUDE
Amy presents a collection of Jim Brickman's heartfelt
piano music recorded on solo harp. Each selection is an
expression of love for life's precious moments and gratitude
for the gift of their experience.
Listen to samples and buy now...
CHRISTMAS LOVE "celebrating
the child within" Amy presents joyful solo harp interpretations of
Christmas favorites, arranged by Jim Brickman, Chip Davis
and Michael Scott that truly capture the magical spirit
of the holidays. Listen
to samples and buy now...
I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
After September 11, 2001, my heart ached for all those
children who lost their parents...and for all those parents
who lost their children. As a mother, that is one of my
greatest fears...to think my children will be without
me. As a professional harpist, I use music to express
my feelings-so one October evening I was playing a new
melody on the harp. Our two sons named the melody, "I
Will Always Be With You" then went to bed. My heart
opened and the words came. In 15 minutes the song was
complete. It was so simple...yet it said everything."
This comes with a small booklet and CD with 3 tracks:
Track 1 is a vocal version with harp and violin; Track
2 is an instrumental version with harp and violin; and
Track 3 is a solo harp version. Listen
to samples and buy now...
AUTHOR
- The Harp Therapy Journal, Fall 2007, Update
on Development of a Clinical Research Study - Harp Column, September/October 2006.
Advice Column-Contributing Professional
- The Harp Therapy Journal, Summer 2006. Awakening
and Sharing Gifts
- Spirit Seeker, November 2005. Another
Part of Me
- The Harp Therapy Journal, Winter 2002-03. New
Developments.
- The Harp Therapy Journal, Summer 2002. My
Personal Journey with the Harp.
- Internet E-Book on SerentiyPathways.com, 2006
Vibrational Awareness
RESEARCHER
Research
with Amy’s Solo Harp Music
1.
The first pilot study was developed 15 years ago with
a music therapist and involved sending out 50 two-part
questionnaires. 100% of the participants perceived they
were more relaxed after listening to the music even if
they had indicated they would not choose to listen to
harp music if given a choice. This challenged the idea
that a person has to like the music in order for it to
be effective.
2. A Quantitative EEG Pilot Study with the "New Love"
CD, conducted by William Collins, PhD, indicated the music
induced a state of relaxation in 4 minutes by increasing
alpha wave and decreasing beta wave frequencies in the
brain in 5 subjects. Learn
more...
3. "Effects of the New Love solo harp
CD on Alpha Frequency" pilot study
indicated the music was effective for both 'right brain'
and 'left brain' thinkers as measured by Quantitative
EEG. Conducted by William Collins, PhD. Learn
more...
4. “Effects of a Relaxation CD on Stress
Factors in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy as Measured
by Quantitative EEG: A Pilot Study”
by William Collins, PhD
A Quantitative EEG Pilot Study with "The Magic Mirror"
CD indicated listening to the music once a day for 10
days had a direct positive impact on neurological functioning
in 4 women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Learn
more...
5. “Effect of Music on Psychoneuroimmunological
Responses”
Conducted by David
Kossor, RPh, PhD and Abdul
Waheed, PhD
Two Saliva Sample Pilot Studies with 9 healthy individuals
indicated listening to "The Magic Mirror" CD
once had a sustained impact on immune system biomarkers
for up to 72 hours. These results suggest that this music
is very effective and could be used in combination with
other therapy for cancer or physiologically stressed patients
to minimize the effect of their disease. Learn
more...
6. “A Randomized Study of the Effects
of Two Relaxation Music CDs on Stress Factors in Adults
Receiving Chemotherapy as Treatment for Cancer”
The Scientific Arts Foundation has authored a medically
approved (through an Institutional Review Board), multi-site,
wholistic clinical trial with neurological, biological,
standardized psychological, quality of life and environmental
measurements. This study explores the impact of "The
Magic Mirror" solo harp CD and Steven Halpern's "Comfort
Zone" solo piano CD on stress factors in adult cancer
patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Specific measurements include:
1) Quantitative EEG for neurological
functioning
2) Saliva secretory IgA, IgG, cortisol,
secretory carbonic VI, and a-amylase as immune
system biomarkers
3) A short daily questionnaire to track
quality of life and psychological changes
4) A standardized psychological questionnaire
given at the beginning and end of the study to
measure psychological
state, and daily life functioning
5) A one-time general questionnaire
to determine musical preferences, support systems,
personality type
and their belief/perception of their situation
6) A Case Report Form will track gender,
the type /stage of cancer and chemotherapy
drugs used
7) A short one-time questionnaire for
Groups 1 and 2 describing the participant’s selected
listening space.
This will offer insight into possible environmental influences
that may affect
the listening experience.
Measurements will begin upon diagnosis and continue until
one
month into treatment.
Learn
more...
7. "New Love," "Love and Gratitude,"
and "The Magic Mirror" solo harp CDs are part
of a pilot study exploring the Epigenetic Environmental
conditions of a medical clinic in Tennessee. This study
was developed by Deborah Burnett, ASID. Learn
more...
8. A Quantitative EEG pilot study, conducted by William
Collins, PhD, with "DREAMS-the love within"
solo harp CD indicated that the music produced a relaxed
mental state in all 5 subjects measured. The design of
the study involved three separate QEEG data recordings.
Subjects were given a pre and post Q along with a recording
while listening to the solo harp music for 27 minutes.
The clearest and most significant changes were noted during
the listening of the solo harp music. In all five subjects
the dominant brainwave frequency was in one of the two
central relaxed frequencies. The first was the high alpha
frequency, between 11 and 12 hz and the second was the
SMR (Sensory Motor Response) frequency between 12 and
15 hz. The high alpha frequency is associated with focused
relaxed attention and the SMR frequency is correlated
with muscle relaxation. This CD will be available Summer
2008.
9. Amy plays lap harp at St. John's Mercy Medical Center
every week for inpatients on the oncology floor as part
of the hospital’s Healing Therapies Pilot Study
Program taking pre and post Pain and Distress levels.
Thus far, 100% of responses indicate less pain and distress
after just 10 minutes of live harp music.
EDUCATOR
Vibrational
Awareness
Amy’s
"Vibrational Awareness" presentation introduces
local, regional and national audiences to the concepts
of familiar vs. unfamiliar music, resonance, sympathetic
vibration, forced resonance and entrainment. This program
has been well received by doctors, nurses, clinicians,
support groups, hospice volunteers, management coordinators,
chaplains and the general public. Learn
more...
For those who require Continuing Education Credits, this
presentation is available on-line for 5 CEUs for: Attorneys(CLE
approved by FL Bar), Psychologists and School Psychologists
(Am. Psy, approved), Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage
and Family Therapists in FL (491 Board Approval with CE
Broker in FL). Learn
more...
For a detailed listing of Amy’s presentations and
community involvement, please visit her CV page: Learn
more...
OTHER
Scientific
Arts Foundation
Amy
is the Founder and Executive Director of the Scientific
Arts Foundation, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that
supports the value of creative expression through research,
education and community outreach programs. Learn
more...
Amy has also hosted a local talk-radio program offering
listeners ways to improve, enhance and enrich the quality
of their lives.
Music without words means leaving behind the mind. And leaving behind the mind is meditation.
Meditation returns you to the source. And the source of all is sound. — Kabir
The Healing Music Organization and The Healing Music Foundation
P.O. Box 3731, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 - 831.588.7498
Any questions, problems or suggestions please contact
us.
Healingmusic.org and "A Really Good HMO" are trademarks of The Healing Music Organization.
All other products and services mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective organizations.
Copyright
2000-2007, Amrita Cottrell and The Healing Music Organization. All rights
reserved.
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