Doctor Alan Lem

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Grants / Current Projects
• Publications
• Harmonic Encounters 
• Contact Details

Biography

Dr Alan Lem is Course Advisor for the Master of Creative Music Therapy program taught by the School of Communication Arts. He is a well-known music therapist, supervisor, lecturer and composer with deep interests in improvisational music therapy, music and imagery and music for health and well-being. Alan is also is a prolific author who published several music scores, educational guides and CDs for use in music therapy. His key publications appear in Music Therapy Collection, MusicMedicine 3 and the Journal of the Australian Music Therapy Association. Alan’s creative work featured on ABC Radio National's Health Report and international and national conferences of music therapy and music medicine. Alan is also an active member of the Australian Music Therapy Association serving currently on its National Education Committee.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

Creative music therapy; music and movement; music and emotion; music and well-being; music and imagery, Guided Imagery and Music; psycho-physiological response to music.

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Grants / Current Projects

2010 - Editor, Creative Music Therapy Case Study publication.

2009 - Engaged in action research looking at musical resources and evaluation with the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre.

2008 - Interactive Music Systems within Improvisational Music Therapy. UWS in partnership with Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. The project explored the application of an interactive, dynamic sonification system within the framework of improvisational music therapy, and its role in enhancing emotional expression in people who have physical disabilities.

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Publications

Lem, A., Paine, G. Drummond, J. (2008). A Dynamic Sonification Device in Creative Music Therapy. Conference Proceedings, College of the Arts, University of Western Sydney.

Lem, A. (2008). Re-sonance: Music for Altered Awareness and Imagery. In M. Atherton and B. Crossman. Music of the Spirit: Asian-PacificMusical Identity. Australian Music Centre.

Lem, A. (2004). The Flow of Imagery Elicited by G.I.M. Music Programs During Unguided Music Imaging. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University of Western Sydney.

Lem. A. & Atherton, M. (2001). Re-Sonance: sounds for music therapy (Audio CD). University of Western Sydney, School of Contemporary Arts. AMC Library number: CD 1061.

Lem, A. (1999). Selected Patterns of Brainwave Activity Point to the Connection Between Imagery Experiences and the Psychoacoustic Qualities of Music. In R. Rebollo Pratt and D. Erdonmez Grocke (Eds), Music Medicine 3 (pp. 75-87). Melbourne: University of Melbourne.

Lem, A. (1998). EEG Reveals Potential Connections Between the Structural Variability of Music and the Listeners' Imagery. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 9, 3-17.

Lem, A. (1998). Music as Medicine - A Paradigm for the Future? Queensland Journal of Music Education, 5(1), 21-25.

Lem, A. (1997). Sing Me a Different Song: Specific Issues Involved in Music Therapy with Adults who have Severe and Profound Disabilities. Bulletin of the Australian Music Therapy Association, 20(1), 7-10.

Lem, A. (1996). Thoughts on Music as a Therapeutic Stimulus. Bulletin of the Australian Music Therapy Association, 19(1), 7-10.

Lem, A. (1995). An Integrated Profile of Brain-Wave Activity and Structural Variability of Music in the Study of Music and Imagery Experiences in Vivo. Unpublished Master's Thesis. University of Melbourne.

Lem, A. (1993). (Ed), Music Therapy Collection. Canberra: Australian Dance Council.

Lem, A. (1993). Is it Possible to Say "Yes" Through Music? In A. Lem (Ed.) Music Therapy Collection, (pp. 61-67). Canberra: Australian Dance Council.

Conferences

2010 - A Dynamic Sonification Device in Creative Music Therapy. Virtual Presentation. International Technology, Education and Development Conference, International Association of Technology, Education and Development, Spain.

2008 - A Dynamic Sonification Device in Creative Music Therapy. College of the Arts Conference, University of Western Sydney.

2008 - re-Sonance: Music for Altered Awareness and Imagery. Professional Development Seminar. The Annual Conference of the Australian Music Therapy Association, Brisbane.

2008 - Music Therapy and Altered Awareness: the Creation of re-Sonance, music therapy CD for imagery. Workshop. Aurora Festival, Sydney.

2007 - Robertson-Gillam, K. & Lem, A. Improving quality of life and reducing depression in elderly people by engaging their creativity and spirituality through involvement in a choir: A pilot project. National Conference on Successful Ageing: Countering depression in old age. Hammond Care Group.

2002 - Tracing the Flow of Imagery Evoked by GIM programme ‘Relationships’. Australian Music Psychology Society. UNSW.

2001 Presentation: Music Therapy in the Context of Postmodern Art Criticism: Postgraduate Forum, University of Western Sydney.

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Harmonic Encounters

As part of his professional activities, Alan conducts a music and well-being program, Harmonic Encounters, which started in Sydney in 1998. The program offers therapeutically oriented music performances inspired by the convergence of Western impressionism and Eastern meditation practices. The key concept of Harmonic Encounters rests with the gentleness of musical expression which, as Alan says, exists in the music to highlight the experience of silence. In Harmonic Encounters participants are able to sit or lie down and bathe in rich and peaceful sounds of Tibetan singing bowls and other beautiful instruments. The music emerges in the moment of creation and is played with the intention to support the listeners’ inner reflection.

Here are samples of Alan’s music from Harmonic Encounters:

Harmonic Encounters: Alan Lem plays Tibetan Singing Bowls
Harmonic Encounters: lute improvisation 1
Harmonic Encounters: Alan Lem (lute) & Bronwyn Kirkpatrick (shakuhachi)

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