“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” Maria von Trapp
1] Triumph Over Tragedy – Thriving, not just Surviving – Trauma Awareness, Hope & Healing with Music, Thoughts & Conversation
presentation- workshop-outline 
– Trauma Informed Conference – Henrico Theater, Richmond, VA Feb. 2015 –
2] Trauma Informed Peer Support [TIPS]
Introduction – Presentation – TIPS – Trauma Informed Peer Support – Introduction
Learning Objectives – Presentation-TIPS-Trauma-Informed-Peer-Support-Learning-Objectives
Power Point – Presentation – TIPS Curriculum Slides – MI
Songs of a Survivor – Presentation-TIPS-Curriculum-Slides-MI
“Music can change the world because it can change people.” Bono
3] Songs of a Survivor – A Musical Journey of Hope, Healing & Transformation – Songs of Life, Love, Loss & Hope
“Where words fail, music speaks.” Hans Christian Andersen
A man, his guitar and his voice…Through his songs and spoken word, Michael shares that one can overcome the obstacles, the losses and the hurts in one’s life. There is Hope, Healing & Help, one can survive and learn to thrive and find joy and peace in life.
Set 1– forty minutes of performance and sharing – then fifteen minutes of Q & A with the audience
Intermission – Fifteen minutes
Set 2 – thirty minutes of performance and sharing – then fifteen minutes to thirty minutes of Q & A with the audience
A powerful musical journey of triumph and celebration
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” Kahlil Gibran
Music & Healing video
4] “The Silence of Suicide” © Presentation/workshop
Presentation-The-Silence-of-Suicide
I am honored to be a part of the book, “Our Encounters with Suicide”; my chapter is titled “The Silence of Suicide”. I read my chapter and share about the loss of my two brothers and two friends to suicide, along with my childhood recollections of my mother’s serious attempt and my own attempts/intents….and why we need to be talking about suicide, trauma, abuse and all of its ramifications.
The chapter reading and song performance takes thirty minutes – a Q & A and active discussion on suicide then takes place. I use this song to close out the workshop; A song of JOY & giving thanks – This is a live performance, taken @ the NYAPRS Conference, Catskills, NY
The publishing company is in the United Kingdom – www.pccs-books.co.uk
Books are available for sale at the presentation.
5] Boys and Men Healing – An inspiring film about healing from Male Child Sexual Abuse
The film portrays courageous non-offending men whose arduous healing helped them reclaim their lives – giving them a powerful voice to speak out, and take bold action toward prevention for other boys. Boys and Men Healing is produced in association with the International Documentary Association.
Recommended Uses
Rape Crisis Centers
- Sexual Assault Treatment Centers
- Child Welfare Agencies
- Youth Organizations
- Public Libraries
- Schools / Colleges / University Depts. of Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Churches
- Prisons and re-entry programs
- Survivor support groups
- Conference Screenings
I hold a Question and Answer session after the showing of the film. This helps to enhance the viewing of this powerful documentary. 90 minute presentation w/ Q & A
Honored to have my song, “Brush Away Your Tears” featured in the film.
Women’s Community Correctional Center, HI
6] Music and Social Justice
workshop presentation & performance of my songs and how they have been used for Social Justice concerning the issues of trauma, abuse and mental health and the associated stigma and discrimination.
7] Creativity and Healing
- workshop presentation & performance of the importance and the power of Creativity in the healing process.
- Also available for small groups of team building and peer support in writing a song together
8] Males and Trauma
workshop presentation & performance of an often overlooked health concern and the reasons why.
9] Host Open Mic
Events at conferences, peer centers, etc – many years of experience at conferences, events, peer support centers, pubs and clubs – a fun time of sharing one’s creative gifts and talents.
NYAPRS since 2001 – “the longstanding, loving host of our conference’s Open Mike program for the past decade.”
10] Musical Performance
– tailored to the event and your needs:
- Concert
- Coffeehouse atmosphere/setting
- Background music at lunch
11] Write
If you need articles or book chapters on healing, music or the creative arts, I can help
12] Webinar
Webinar & Training Videos – on healing pertaining to trauma, abuse and mental health challenges
