Photo by JEaLiFe Pictures on Unsplash
Can music help heal the deepest wounds of trauma? Darcy Ataman, founder of Make Music Matter and creator of Healing in Harmony, shares how music therapy is transforming the lives of child soldiers, survivors of sexual violence, and those impacted by conflict. Discover how songwriting, recording, and advocacy empower individuals to reclaim their voices and rebuild their lives—one powerful note at a time.
Guest
Darcy Ataman is a music and video producer by trade, and has dedicated his work to bringing an alternate form of music therapy to survivors of conflict and trauma. He is the founder of Make Music Matter and developer of the innovative program Healing in Harmony, which has served over 14,000 individuals in 9 countries around the world. Darcy writes and speaks internationally on the long-lasting impact of music and its ability to re-stitch the soul.
Notes
We discuss:
- An alternate form of music therapy, Healing in Harmony, that has been uniquely successful in healing and empowering traumatized voices, including child soldiers and those impacted by sexual violence.
- Darcy’s journey from undergrad at University of Manitoba and video/music producer to developing a music therapy program for survivors of violence.
- How is Healing in Harmony’s music therapy model different from other music therapy?
- Populations served by Healing in Harmony include child soldiers; survivors of sexual violence, HIV/AIDS, and poverty; those affected by mental illness, displacement/refugees, and war; and the caregivers for these individuals.
- Healing in Harmony has been clinically proven to help reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD in participants.
- How/why does it work? What does the process look like
- Mindy’s favorite quote from the Make Music Matter website: “When people are deprived of justice, they create their own language of hope and healing. The best way to express this is through art and music.” – Darcy Ataman
Connect/Other Resources
- Website: Makemusicmatter.org
- Listen to the artists’ music
Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:
- Ep. 14: The Healing Power of Music for Child Soldiers and Refugees: with Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominee Samite Mulondo
- Ep. 123: Transcending divisions and conflict through song, with The Jerusalem Youth Chorus’ Micah Hendler
- Ep. 129: How socially conscious musicians are bridging divides and healing the wounds of war; with Musicians Without Borders’ Laura Hassler
- Ep. 98: #BeyondMeToo, with Dr. Sandi Curtis, MT-BC, MTA
- Ep. 43: A combat veteran tells his story and shares how music is serving those who serve our country, with CreatiVets’ Richard Casper
- Ep. 130: What are music psychotherapy and vocal psychotherapy, and how do they work? with Dr. Diane Austin, D.A., LCAT
- Ep. 12: Coldplay’s Music Therapy for Kids Suffering Illness: with Melodic Caring Project’s Levi & Stephanie Ware
- Ep. 47: In honor of George Floyd: The role of music in social justice; with Bruce Henry
- Ep. 125: From Sandy Hook to a Valentine’s Day love letter to the planet, with trauma response art therapist & musician Nicole Porter Davis
- Ep. 189: Finding Purpose in Pain, with Guitars for Vets’ Taylor Ullom
- View all episodes related to Science & Health or Education & Community
In-Episode Promo
JAMBAR: Staying balanced in life is very important to me – balance in work and play, activity and rest, and balance in fueling my energy. When I am on the go – or just find my cupboards running a little bare – the fuel I reach for is JAMBAR energy bars. These bars are Certified Organic whole food bars; they’re non-GMO and gluten-free. I especially love that they are higher in protein than the other all-natural bars I’ve found, and they’re minimally sweetened with only all-natural sweeteners. While I love all five flavors, my personal favorites are Musical Mango and Tropical Trio. JAMBAR flavor names reflect the company founder’s passion for music, and JAMBAR donates a whopping fifty percent of net profits to programs that support music and active living. Join me in supporting a balanced life and world by reaching for JAMBARs. Available at Amazon, select retailers, and jambar.com. (Learn more in Ep. 160.)
Coda
Darcy shares two powerful stories of the life-changing, life-saving impact of Healing in Harmony.
Closing Words
Thank you so much to Darcy for sharing those powerful stories of the power of music – and for all he does to enhance lives with music around the globe. If you found this conversation as impactful as I did, definitely check out the show notes for ways to connect with Darcy’s work and Make Music Matter.
If there’s a topic or guest that you would like to hear featured on this show, or if you have a question for me that you’d like to hear answered on the show, please let me know. You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.
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