Heather MacTavish has left a tremendous impact on WCCL and is regarded as the ‘Best mother we never had”. We miss you mom. Read about her incredible journey from being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease to establishing New Rhythms Foundation. MORE
Welcome to the New Rhythms Program at WCCLF. Initiated in memory of our mentor Ms. Heather MacTavish, this program focuses on
Course Highlights
Duration
9 Months
(Hybrid Course)
Handcrafted & Designed For:
- Therapists/ Counsellors – Therapy
- Musicians/ Music Educators – Teach music to Persons with disabilities
- Educators & Special Educators – Music in school curriculum
- Social-workers – Community-based work
Read our detailed prospectus and join us on a magical journey of music, stories, poetry and rhythm
Training Approach
A comprehensive blend of offline & online sessions, video lessons, textbooks, flashcards, music-instructor support, assignments, tests, and personalized feedback. Upon enrolment, students are encouraged to conduct their practicals on field, and at least complete 10 practice sessions, document the session record sheets, and write a case study based on the assessment.
No Musical Background, Talent etc required
Open to musicians and non-musicians alike.
The Four Approaches
You will learn four fundamental approaches :
- Music Education – How to teach basics of rhythm & voice, thereby engaging your clients and improving their musical skills.
- Targeted Therapeutic Goals – using specific research-based music therapy techniques to address specific therapeutic goals of motor, speech & cognition
- Group Work – How to facilitate music in groups for education, therapy, psycho-social needs and community building
- Healing the Mind through Knowing the Mind – Develop a pragmatic and mind-training based approach to mental health. Understanding the nature of mind, emotions, thoughts, and learning how to incorporate various mindfulness & meditation techniques within the artistic framework.
Certification
You will get a certificate of completion from WCCL Foundation. Although the course is open to clinical psychologists (as defined by Rehabilitation Council of India Act), Allied and Healthcare Professionals (as defined by National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act 2021) and other therapists, it does not certify you as any of the above. Certification of completion from this course does NOT allow you to practice outside of your professional licensure-training certification.
Ongoing Action Research Projects:
Discover our ongoing research initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding and
application of clinical musicianship.
Drum Circles in Muktangan Rehabilitation Centre, Pune - VIDEO ON MUKTANGAN
Every Friday Muktangan resonates with the powerful rhythms of 30 inmates who shake off all the toxins from their mind and bodies as they move, drum and sing. This project is aimed at collecting data about the impact of drumming on Mood, Sense of Community, Music as a positive substitute. With over 1000 individuals attending this program each year, the sample size will provide significant statistical data on each research domain.
Clinical Musicianship in Prasanna Autism Centre, Pune
Children on the autism spectrum feel very much ‘at home’ with music. The interweaving of patterns, sequences, structures, appeals to some aspects of their personality which appreciate order, regularity, repetitions. Research around the world has demonstrated the role of music in improving speech & language, motor skills, social skills for children on the spectrum. This project aims to replicate previous research and verify it through multiple case studies. Our clinical musicians are working with 15 children on the spectrum over a period of one year, and this project has received a lot of support from the staff and teachers at Prasanna Autism Centre.
Past Action Research Projects: Pioneering Arts-Based Therapy
For nearly two decades, WCCLF has been a trailblazer in Arts-Based Therapy. We have dedicated over 40,000 hours to direct client-contact therapy sessions. Explore some of our past action research projects that have left a lasting impact on the field:
Contact us for Clinical Musicianship sessions in your NGO
If you are an NGO serving special needs population, and would like us to implement clinical musicianship sessions in your organisation, or you would like a demo/workshop please contact us.
Transforming Lives One Note at a Time
Sowmya Srinivasan
Suhotra Biswas
Aditi Bharatee
Music educator, software developer
Neeta Lalwani
Storyteller , teacher , facilitator of Life Education workshops
Anjali Kumar
Ms. Anandita Kumar
Junior Clinical Musician Prasanna Autism Centre
Diagnosed with CP after being born with a congenital heart problem, Anandita has worked her way through many difficult situations with the loving support of her family. Today she feels that she can contribute to the lives of children who are facing similar challenges. Currently she is doing her graduation from Pune University through a distance course. She has completed her course in clinical musicianship. Drumming is her passion, and she wants to teach special needs children music and how to blossom in their journey.
Ms. Nishtha Tejwani
Clinical Musician & Project lead for Prasanna Autism Centre
Ms. Nishtha Tejwani is a Developmental Psychologist, a trained musician, and a bharatnatayam dancer. She aims to combine the knowledge of both the fields of music and psychology to provide a holistic approach to therapy. Through her work, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of children with special needs. She has completed her course in clinical musicianship, and is practicing at Prasanna Autism Centre, Pune.
Mr. Zubin Balsara
Lead Faculty for CCM Course
Mr. Zubin Balsara studied BE Production and pursued his alternative career as musician and drummer for various bands in Pune city. After a brief stint in corporate work, Zubin pursued his passion for music, and it led him to the USA where he studied drum circle facilitation with Mr. Arthur Hull and undertook an 8-month internship with New Rhythms Foundation, CA, USA. Under the mentorship of Ms. Heather MacTavish, he worked in several elderly-care facilities, completed his research assignments, and co-authored a book with Ms. Heather MacTavish titled “Songs, Science & Spirit”. As Projects Director, Zubin brings systems & structures to the organisation. Under his leadership, WCCL has completed 10 long-term action research projects from 2001 to 2023. These projects have resulted in many notable research and developments in the area of Arts & Therapy
Mr. Akshay Shanbagh
Founder & Coordinator – West Pune Music Club & Editor-in-Chief of Rhythm & Blues Magazine
Currently Akshay is a BS MS Student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IISER). Born in Mumbai, he is a drummer and a physics aspirant. He started to play the drum set at the age of 11. Akshay is an individual on the Autism Spectrum, and he is a brilliant advocate for music as a community-builder. Akshay’s work in organising music jams for children with special needs, showcasing their work in Rhythm & Blues magazine, is a good example of compassion-in-action
Mr. Akshay Malpani
Executive Assistant to Projects Director
Mr. Akshay Malpani manages logistics, venues, administration and special events for the foundation. Akshay is a student of drumming and has been playing for the past 10 years. In addition to working with WCCL, he is an assistant drum teacher at Vidya Valley school.
Ms. Anandita Kumar
Junior Clinical Musician Prasanna Autism Centre
Diagnosed with CP after being born with a congenital heart problem, Anandita has worked her way through many difficult situations with the loving support of her family. Today she feels that she can contribute to the lives of children who are facing similar challenges. Currently she is doing her graduation from Pune University through a distance course. She has completed her course in clinical musicianship. Drumming is her passion, and she wants to teach special needs children music and how to blossom in their journey.
Ms. Nishtha Tejwani
Clinical Musician & Project lead for Prasanna Autism Centre
Ms. Nishtha Tejwani is a Developmental Psychologist, a trained musician, and a bharatnatayam dancer. She aims to combine the knowledge of both the fields of music and psychology to provide a holistic approach to therapy. Through her work, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of children with special needs. She has completed her course in clinical musicianship, and is practicing at Prasanna Autism Centre, Pune.
Mr. Zubin Balsara
Lead Faculty for CCM Course
Mr. Zubin Balsara studied BE Production and pursued his alternative career as musician and drummer for various bands in Pune city. After a brief stint in corporate work, Zubin pursued his passion for music, and it led him to the USA where he studied drum circle facilitation with Mr. Arthur Hull and undertook an 8-month internship with New Rhythms Foundation, CA, USA. Under the mentorship of Ms. Heather MacTavish, he worked in several elderly-care facilities, completed his research assignments, and co-authored a book with Ms. Heather MacTavish titled “Songs, Science & Spirit”. As Projects Director, Zubin brings systems & structures to the organisation. Under his leadership, WCCL has completed 10 long-term action research projects from 2001 to 2023. These projects have resulted in many notable research and developments in the area of Arts & Therapy
Mr. Akshay Shanbagh
Founder & Coordinator – West Pune Music Club & Editor-in-Chief of Rhythm & Blues Magazine
Currently Akshay is a BS MS Student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IISER). Born in Mumbai, he is a drummer and a physics aspirant. He started to play the drum set at the age of 11. Akshay is an individual on the Autism Spectrum, and he is a brilliant advocate for music as a community-builder. Akshay’s work in organising music jams for children with special needs, showcasing their work in Rhythm & Blues magazine, is a good example of compassion-in-action
Mr. Akshay Malpani
Executive Assistant to Projects Director
Mr. Akshay Malpani manages logistics, venues, administration and special events for the foundation. Akshay is a student of drumming and has been playing for the past 10 years. In addition to working with WCCL, he is an assistant drum teacher at Vidya Valley school.
Mr. Vineet Alurkar
Visiting Faculty For Performing Arts, Songwriting And Singing
Mr. Vineet Alurkar is a Singer, Song Writer based in Pune. He has performed several concerts and has been the front man for the Indo-Austrian fusion band “Yoga Logik”. The band’s music is inspired by lyrical poetry. Critics have appreciated its blend of contemporary jazz and funk clubbed with Indian classical styles of music. The band have extensively toured Europe and India from 2012–16. The band released an album titled Live at Vidya Valley in 2014.
Besides being an excellent singer and guitarist, Vineet is a very good music educator. He has been teaching music to students in Pune. He teaches in Vidya Valley High School, and he is visiting faculty in Rungsted Gymnasium (High school in Copenhagen, Denmark).
Mr. Vineet Alurkar
Visiting Faculty For Performing Arts, Songwriting And Singing
Mr. Vineet Alurkar is a Singer, Song Writer based in Pune. He has performed several concerts and has been the front man for the Indo-Austrian fusion band “Yoga Logik”. The band’s music is inspired by lyrical poetry. Critics have appreciated its blend of contemporary jazz and funk clubbed with Indian classical styles of music. The band have extensively toured Europe and India from 2012–16. The band released an album titled Live at Vidya Valley in 2014.
Besides being an excellent singer and guitarist, Vineet is a very good music educator. He has been teaching music to students in Pune. He teaches in Vidya Valley High School, and he is visiting faculty in Rungsted Gymnasium (High school in Copenhagen, Denmark).
Trupti Saraiya
Life Skills and Arts Based Therapy Practitioner
Trupti Saraiya is a Life Skills and Arts Based Therapy Practitioner residing in Mumbai. She is the founder of In Me-Arts and Interpersonal/ Intrapersonal Communication Skills Interventions offered in a therapeutic setting, with more attention to the effect of music. After graduating in Science, Trupti chose to acquire a post-graduation degree in Ancient Indian Culture, followed by Diplomas and Certifications in social impact subjects including Advertising, Writing, Arts Based Therapy, Counselling and Clinical Musicianship. She is actively involved in facilitating individuals’ unique expressions leading them to self-discovery, self-compassion and a comfortable relationship within and with others. She aspires to build a community where individuals grow with love, joy, rhythm and a will to live the moment. She is grateful to be a part of the Clinical Musicianship Committee and looks forward to creating a user-friendly database on the effect of music as therapy. She is a writer, a natural phenomenon enthusiast and a little more.
Dr. Rashmi Vyahavarkar
Arts Based Therapy Practitioner
Dr Rashmi has more than forty years of teaching experience. She has done extensive research in the field of Human Development and the impact of music on children and adults in various stages of human development. She holds a Doctorate degree in Human development from SNDT University. She is also certified Arts based therapist from Mind and Arts Institute and a clinical musician therapist (WLCC). “REJUVENATING MINDS” is an initiative by Dr Rashmi Vyavaharkar, an Arts Based Therapy Practitioner, with a belief that Art Media has healing powers.
Surabhi B. Dhamapurkar
Psychologist & ABT Practitioner
Surabhi B. Dhamapurkar has completed her Master’s degree in Psychology (SNDT University). She has also done her Arts based therapy (ABT) certificate course from Mind and Arts Institute. She has completed her Clinical Musicianship course from WCCL Foundation, Pune. Currently she is working for Child n You, an organisation which serves children with special needs. Surabhi works with children on the autism spectrum and children with multiple disabilities. She is also associated with the EVOLE diploma program in Applied Arts for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She likes to learn new things and apply it in her day-to-day life. In her free time, she likes to read and paint.
Lavanya Krishnakumar
Co-Founder-Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation
Lavanya Krishnakumar has degrees in English and Psychology, and training in traditional Indian arts and Arts Based Therapy (Bapu Trust, Pune). She is a Co-Founder-Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation, Chennai, where she serves the Golden Butterflies Bandwagon, which is the Art and Recreation intervention for child-patients and caregivers of the non-profit organisation. She enjoys nothing better than to craft and ‘think’ with her hands, sitting by her window, accompanied by the chants and rhythms of the world. You can reach her at +91 99404 90193/lavs2006@gmail.com
Mansi Chandorkar
Mansi Chandorkar is the founder of Shifting G.E.A.R.S. Shas pursued her M.A. in Counselling Psychology and thereafter B.Ed. in Special Education-Learning Disability. She is currently a Ph.D. Scholar (Special Education) at SNDT University. She has completed her clinical musicianship course at WCCL Foundation, Pune. As a Special Educator, she has over 17 years of experience, working in inclusive schools in Mumbai and Pune. She hosts a podcast called Inclusion with Mansi. She is also a content writer and a faculty member for online teacher training courses. She believes that each individual is capable of learning and wishes to support them to be the best versions of themselves. Mansi is currently pursuing research in the area of Integrating Math Education and Music in the classroom.
Mansi Chandorkar, B.Ed Special Education-Learning Disability
Sussana Lama
Psychologist, ABT Practitioner
Susanna Lama has a double Master’s degree in psychology and Sociology. She is a certified Arts based therapist and a clinical musician therapist (WLCC). She holds membership of the American Psychologist Association and License from UNESCO for Expressive and movement therapy. Currently is working as the Principal of School St. Anthony’s School, Lokra Tezpur. As it is her Family School, established by her father. She also works as Psychologist in Don Bosco Social Technical institute, Tezpur (Assam) and a mentor In Guidance City Enhancing Life, Raipur (Rajasthan).
Trupti Saraiya
Life Skills and Arts Based Therapy Practitioner
Trupti Saraiya is a Life Skills and Arts Based Therapy Practitioner residing in Mumbai. She is the founder of In Me-Arts and Interpersonal/ Intrapersonal Communication Skills Interventions offered in a therapeutic setting, with more attention to the effect of music. After graduating in Science, Trupti chose to acquire a post-graduation degree in Ancient Indian Culture, followed by Diplomas and Certifications in social impact subjects including Advertising, Writing, Arts Based Therapy, Counselling and Clinical Musicianship. She is actively involved in facilitating individuals’ unique expressions leading them to self-discovery, self-compassion and a comfortable relationship within and with others. She aspires to build a community where individuals grow with love, joy, rhythm and a will to live the moment. She is grateful to be a part of the Clinical Musicianship Committee and looks forward to creating a user-friendly database on the effect of music as therapy. She is a writer, a natural phenomenon enthusiast and a little more.
Dr. Rashmi Vyahavarkar
Arts Based Therapy Practitioner
Dr Rashmi has more than forty years of teaching experience. She has done extensive research in the field of Human Development and the impact of music on children and adults in various stages of human development. She holds a Doctorate degree in Human development from SNDT University. She is also certified Arts based therapist from Mind and Arts Institute and a clinical musician therapist (WLCC). “REJUVENATING MINDS” is an initiative by Dr Rashmi Vyavaharkar, an Arts Based Therapy Practitioner, with a belief that Art Media has healing powers.
Surabhi B. Dhamapurkar
Psychologist & ABT Practitioner
Surabhi B. Dhamapurkar has completed her Master’s degree in Psychology (SNDT University). She has also done her Arts based therapy (ABT) certificate course from Mind and Arts Institute. She has completed her Clinical Musicianship course from WCCL Foundation, Pune. Currently she is working for Child n You, an organisation which serves children with special needs. Surabhi works with children on the autism spectrum and children with multiple disabilities. She is also associated with the EVOLE diploma program in Applied Arts for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She likes to learn new things and apply it in her day-to-day life. In her free time, she likes to read and paint.
Lavanya Krishnakumar
Co-Founder-Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation
Lavanya Krishnakumar has degrees in English and Psychology, and training in traditional Indian arts and Arts Based Therapy (Bapu Trust, Pune). She is a Co-Founder-Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation, Chennai, where she serves the Golden Butterflies Bandwagon, which is the Art and Recreation intervention for child-patients and caregivers of the non-profit organisation. She enjoys nothing better than to craft and ‘think’ with her hands, sitting by her window, accompanied by the chants and rhythms of the world. You can reach her at +91 99404 90193/lavs2006@gmail.com
Mansi Chandorkar
Mansi Chandorkar is the founder of Shifting G.E.A.R.S. Shas pursued her M.A. in Counselling Psychology and thereafter B.Ed. in Special Education-Learning Disability. She is currently a Ph.D. Scholar (Special Education) at SNDT University. She has completed her clinical musicianship course at WCCL Foundation, Pune. As a Special Educator, she has over 17 years of experience, working in inclusive schools in Mumbai and Pune. She hosts a podcast called Inclusion with Mansi. She is also a content writer and a faculty member for online teacher training courses. She believes that each individual is capable of learning and wishes to support them to be the best versions of themselves. Mansi is currently pursuing research in the area of Integrating Math Education and Music in the classroom.
Mansi Chandorkar, B.Ed Special Education-Learning Disability
Sussana Lama
Psychologist, ABT Practitioner
Susanna Lama has a double Master’s degree in psychology and Sociology. She is a certified Arts based therapist and a clinical musician therapist (WLCC). She holds membership of the American Psychologist Association and License from UNESCO for Expressive and movement therapy. Currently is working as the Principal of School St. Anthony’s School, Lokra Tezpur. As it is her Family School, established by her father. She also works as Psychologist in Don Bosco Social Technical institute, Tezpur (Assam) and a mentor In Guidance City Enhancing Life, Raipur (Rajasthan).
October 11, 2024
New – Certificate in Clinical Musicianship 2025 admissions open
The new course beginning in February 2025 will bring together original material and experienced teachers for the subjects of music therapy and Buddhist Psychology. Come be a part of this revolutionary new course featuring Clinical Musicianship with Healing the Mind through Knowing the Mind (a specially designed module on Buddhist Psychology for Therapists). As part …
New – Certificate in Clinical Musicianship 2025 admissions open Read More »
September 11, 2024
Music for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Research Report of the work done at Prasanna Autism Centre (July 2023 – June 2024) Ms. Nishtha Tejwani, B.A Psychology (SPPU), M.A. Developmental Psychology (University of Dundee), Certified Clinical Musician (WCCL)
September 10, 2024
Impact of Music on Focussed & Sustained Attention
Poster Presentation 19th November 2022 Poster Presentation SNDT AUTHOR Mrs Mansi ChandorkarPhD. Scholar (Special Education), Certificate in Clinical Musicianship, B.Ed. Special Education (Learning Disability), M.A. (Counselling Psychology) AFFILIATIONS Department of Special Education, SNDT Women’s University, World Center for Creative Learning Foundation (WCCLF)
September 6, 2024
Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation’s Music Interventions in Government hospitals of Chennai, South India.
Play the Drums to beat the Doldrums Abstract for presentation made to the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2023 at Incheon, Republic of Korea. By Lavanya Krishnakumar and Aneka Paul Trustee, Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation, 26, Unnamalai Ammal Street, North Usman Road, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 600017 Tel.: +91 9940490193, E-mail: …
