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Gene Ann Behrens Receives WFMT Lifetime Achievement Award in Bologna
On July 6, 2026, the historic streets of Bologna became the stage for a moment that would echo across the music‑therapy community for years to come. In a ceremony that blended tradition and contemporary celebration, Gene Ann Behrens was presented with the World Federation of Music Therapy’s (WFMT) triennial Lifetime Achievement Award, the federation’s highest honor.
Behrens, a 1970 graduate of Red Wing High School, has spent five decades as both a clinician and an educator. She served as director of Elizabethtown College’s music‑therapy program in Pennsylvania and, after retiring, continues to lecture, write, and travel. Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional impact: a bachelor’s degree in therapy from Michigan State University, master’s and specialist degrees from Kent State University, and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. Her research has consistently woven neuro‑science into therapeutic practice, offering a neuro‑informed perspective that has guided her teaching and clinical work.
Within the WFMT, Behrens’ influence extended far beyond the classroom. Over nine years on the federation’s council, she chaired the Global Crises Intervention Commission for six of those years, steering the organization’s response to emergencies around the world. Her leadership helped shape policy, training, and outreach initiatives that addressed the needs of populations affected by conflict and disaster.
Her reputation as a speaker is equally extensive. Behrens has delivered more than 160 presentations in 27 countries, addressing audiences ranging from academic conferences to clinical workshops. Notable engagements include a NATO Security Workshop on trauma in Ankara, Turkey; a grand round at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; and a session at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in India. Each talk has highlighted her commitment to applying evidence‑based music therapy in diverse settings.
Beyond the podium, Behrens has contributed to the scholarly literature with book chapters and journal articles. She has also served on local and national professional committees, ensuring that best practices are reflected in policy and curriculum.
Fieldwork has been a central element of her career. In Bethlehem, Palestine, she spent four months working in schools and community settings with children and staff affected by ongoing conflict. Two visits to Hargeisa, Somaliland, involved training and collaboration with staff at various facilities. She has also worked in economically challenged areas of Nairobi, Kenya, and conducted Zoom training for social workers in Gaza. These experiences underscore her unwavering commitment to applying music therapy in crisis and underserved contexts.
Although retired, Behrens continues to engage with the profession. She pursues photography as a creative outlet and, in interviews, emphasizes daily outreach, compassion, and tolerance as ways to reconnect individuals and communities. Her voice remains a touchstone for those who see music therapy as a bridge between science and humanity.
The Bologna ceremony highlighted Behrens’ lifetime of service and positioned her as a leading figure in advancing evidence‑based music therapy worldwide. Her career exemplifies the integration of clinical practice, research, and international collaboration that the federation seeks to promote. As the profession evolves, her contributions provide a model for future generations.
The award presentation marked a milestone in her career and reaffirmed her influence on the global music‑therapy community. No additional public statements or releases regarding upcoming projects have been announced.
Behrens, a 1970 graduate of Red Wing High School, has spent five decades as both a clinician and an educator. She served as director of Elizabethtown College’s music‑therapy program in Pennsylvania and, after retiring, continues to lecture, write, and travel. Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional impact: a bachelor’s degree in therapy from Michigan State University, master’s and specialist degrees from Kent State University, and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. Her research has consistently woven neuro‑science into therapeutic practice, offering a neuro‑informed perspective that has guided her teaching and clinical work.
Within the WFMT, Behrens’ influence extended far beyond the classroom. Over nine years on the federation’s council, she chaired the Global Crises Intervention Commission for six of those years, steering the organization’s response to emergencies around the world. Her leadership helped shape policy, training, and outreach initiatives that addressed the needs of populations affected by conflict and disaster.
Her reputation as a speaker is equally extensive. Behrens has delivered more than 160 presentations in 27 countries, addressing audiences ranging from academic conferences to clinical workshops. Notable engagements include a NATO Security Workshop on trauma in Ankara, Turkey; a grand round at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; and a session at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in India. Each talk has highlighted her commitment to applying evidence‑based music therapy in diverse settings.
Beyond the podium, Behrens has contributed to the scholarly literature with book chapters and journal articles. She has also served on local and national professional committees, ensuring that best practices are reflected in policy and curriculum.
Fieldwork has been a central element of her career. In Bethlehem, Palestine, she spent four months working in schools and community settings with children and staff affected by ongoing conflict. Two visits to Hargeisa, Somaliland, involved training and collaboration with staff at various facilities. She has also worked in economically challenged areas of Nairobi, Kenya, and conducted Zoom training for social workers in Gaza. These experiences underscore her unwavering commitment to applying music therapy in crisis and underserved contexts.
Although retired, Behrens continues to engage with the profession. She pursues photography as a creative outlet and, in interviews, emphasizes daily outreach, compassion, and tolerance as ways to reconnect individuals and communities. Her voice remains a touchstone for those who see music therapy as a bridge between science and humanity.
The Bologna ceremony highlighted Behrens’ lifetime of service and positioned her as a leading figure in advancing evidence‑based music therapy worldwide. Her career exemplifies the integration of clinical practice, research, and international collaboration that the federation seeks to promote. As the profession evolves, her contributions provide a model for future generations.
The award presentation marked a milestone in her career and reaffirmed her influence on the global music‑therapy community. No additional public statements or releases regarding upcoming projects have been announced.
