It's true what they say..."it's all about the U." At least that's been the case for me the past two weeks or so. August 15 was my official first day at University of Miami (yay!) but I feel like this week was my first real week as Professor Kalas. (By the way, it is so weird to [...]
What a difference a week can make! Last Wednesday, I was wrapping up my time at United Cerebral Palsy and saying goodbye to my co-worker family that I'd been with for 7 years. This Wednesday, I'm organizing my office at University of Miami, attending new faculty orientation, and meeting the new students who'll be starting in the music [...]
I just returned home after a beautiful and relaxing vacation in Sanibel. Honestly it was hard to leave a week of swimming, biking, grilling, and swinging in the hammock. But I feel refreshed and ready to go! This is a bittersweet week for me - I am finishing up my time at UCP's Early Beginnings [...]
Friday was my last day with the children at UCP!! I can't believe it! I'll be leaving United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) to start my new position as Interim Professor of Music Therapy at University of Miami. There are many things that I'll miss about UCP, but most of all will be the children. Don't worry ~ [...]
I don't know about you, but I am ready for a little fun in the sun! Even though I live in Miami, I always get excited to go to the beach. I love the smell of the suntan lotion and the sound of the waves. The summer is also a great time to bring some of the [...]
Did you catch Part 1 in my series on Music Therapy + Sensory Integration? In it I showcased a video of me utilizing the therapy ball in my music therapy session with a self-contained class of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)! I am using the therapy ball to provide proprioceptive and vestibular input to the children while [...]
Do you ever have a day you wish you could relive over and over? For me, that day was May 29th when the children at Early Beginnings Academy performed the musical Little Red Riding Hood. (Click here to read about how the musical was created.) May 29th was an awesome day. Everyone (parents and family [...]
I can pinpoint when a major shift in my music therapy practice took place. It was when I began co-treating with some amazing occupational therapists at UCP's Early Beginnings Academy. Through these co-treatment sessions, I became fascinated by sensory integration, how it relates to my clients with autism and how it can be incorporated into my [...]
It's here! It's here! My course for Music Therapy Ed is here! Can you picture me jumping for joy? Last summer, the incredible Kat Fulton invited me to create a CMTE course for Music Therapy Ed, the site that offers on-demand continuing education opportunities. I happily accepted and spent the summer writing brand new songs, creating brand [...]
It's all about the 'U'! I am a 'Cane at heart and I have some exciting news to share....I have officially accepted the position of Interim Music Therapy Professor at University of Miami! Yay! U.M. is my alma mater for both my bachelor's and master's degree, so I feel very home there. In fact, I kind [...]
