"Gangur" - The flow of time
- From methods and models to implementations in services
12th Nordic Music Therapy Conference 2027
23 - 26 June 2027
Hótel Örk
Hveragerði, Iceland
NMTC 2027
Welcome to the 12th Nordic Music Therapy Conference
This conference explores how music therapy is evolving to meet the needs of different individuals, communities, and societies in times of rapid transformation. We invite participants to reflect on transformation and sustainability in music therapy – how models and methods can be adapted, revitalized, and implemented in diverse services to remain responsive and relevant.
Together, we will examine how theory becomes practice, how research shapes innovation, and how music therapy can contribute meaningfully to health, well-being, and social change across contexts. During the conference we will highlight movement, energy, and renewal: from deep roots in tradition to the forward flow of new approaches, music therapy continues to rise and reshape itself within our changing world.
Abstracts
We are delighted to announce that abstract submission is now open!
Submission guidelines
Submission Guidelines
All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:
- Oral Paper Presentation: Each paper is allocated 20 minutes for delivery, followed by a 5-minute question-and-answer session.
- Poster presentation: Posters are submitted and displayed in a digital format and presented in a 3-minute time slot. E-poster sessions will be scheduled across all three days of the congress (final schedule to be announced).
Authors of accepted posters will receive detailed technical guidelines for preparation and submission. - Round Table Session: This session runs for 60 minutes and includes four presentations of 10 minutes each, followed by a 20-minute interactive discussion with attendees.
- Workshop: Workshops are 90 minutes in duration and emphasize the practical application of music therapy. One or more facilitators introduce the topic and lead participants through experiential, hands-on activities designed to build and refine specific skills.
All questions about submissions should be emailed to viggo.kruger@uib.no.
Abstract submission deadline is 15 September 2026.
Abstract acceptance is 15 November 2026.
Speakers
Keynote speakers
Brynjulf Stige
PhD, Professor of Music Therapy, University of Bergen (UiB)
The founding leader of the Polyfon Knowledge Cluster for Music Therapy (since 2015). Previously the founding leader of The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (GAMUT), UiB & NORCE (2006-2019), the founding editor of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (1992-2006), and the co-founding co-editor of Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy (2001-2020). He has published extensively on music therapy theory and on musical participation, culture, and community. International books include Culture-Centered Music Therapy (2002), Invitation to Community Music Therapy (2012, with Leif Edvard Aarø), and Music Therapy: An Art beyond Words (2014, with Leslie Bunt).
E-mail: brynjulf.stige@uib.no
Valgerður Jónsdóttir
Dr. Valgerður Jónsdóttir holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Special Education and Music Therapy from the University of Kansas (USA), a master’s degree in Music Therapy from Norges Musikkhøgskole in Oslo (Norway), and a PhD in Music Therapy from Aalborg University (Denmark).
Valgerður was a founding member of the Icelandic Music Therapy Association (Físmús) in 1997 and served as its president for fourteen years. She represented Físmús in the European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC) for twenty-five years (2000–2025).
She worked for more than twenty years in child psychiatry as part of an interdisciplinary team at the State Child Psychiatric Hospital in Reykjavík.
In 1986, Valgerður founded Tónstofa Valgerðar (Tónstofan), a private music therapy studio and music school serving disabled and/or neurodivergent individuals. Today, approximately 140 students attend weekly individual and/or group sessions. At Tónstofan, Valgerður serves as director and supervisor, works as a music therapist, and teaches full-time.
Over the years, Valgerður has served as a supervisor at the Iceland University of the Arts (LHÍ), contributed to scientific committees, and worked as a lecturer and instructor in seminars and workshops for institutions, associations, and schools across Iceland.
For her pioneering work at Tónstofan, Valgerður has received several grants and honours, including the Knight’s Cross of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon.
E-mail: tonsvj@mmedia.is
Organizers
