Alicia Clair

Alicia Ann Clair, served the School of Music as Interim Dean and Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. Dr. Clair was also a Research Associate in Gerontology at KU. A music therapy practitioner for many years, Dr. Clair specialized in music therapy practice with persons who have diagnoses of Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias and their professional and family caregivers since 1988, and with persons who are well, older adults, and older adults with disabilities since 1975. She participated as a Research Associate at the Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Topeka, KS where she regularly conducted clinical sessions and practice research using music therapy. Dr. Clair was an instructor of music therapy courses at the University of Kansas for both undergraduate and graduate students. She participated as a member of the music therapy clinical practicum supervisory team there and continues to use her clinical practice skills in her ongoing work with patients at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, their families, and their caregivers. Dr. Clair is nationally and internationally known for her expertise in gerontology and wellness in music therapy. She was a past President of the National Association for Music Therapy (Now the American Music Therapy Association) and was awarded the National Service Award, and the National Professional Practices Award by that organization. In 1991 she testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging regarding the positive effects of music therapy with persons who are elderly. Dr. Clair is in demand as a workshop presenter and consultant and is very interested in developing practical information for persons who want to use music therapeutically for health and wellness. She has presented her work on aging throughout the United States and in Denmark, Canada, Japan, and Korea. Along with many research articles, Dr. Clair has written a book ensiled, Therapeutic uses of music with older adults. A practical approach to using music even without a musical background, the book was published in 1996 by Health Professions Press, Baltimore, MD.