short vita

Stefan Mainka has been a visiting professor of music therapy since October 2024. He has been working as a clinical music therapist in neurological rehabilitation and at the Parkinson Centre Beelitz-Heilstätten since 2002. In 2009, he initiated the 1st European Advanced Training Seminar for Neurological Music Therapy with Prof. Michael Thaut.

Stefan Mainka completed his PhD at the University of Potsdam on music-supported treadmill training after a stroke. His work and research focuses include sensor-based music feedback, therapeutic singing, rhythmical auditory stimulation (RAS) gait training, production and realisation of functional training music, as well as music-supported therapy for Parkinson's disease and stroke.

He was instrumental in developing the Beelitzer Music Gymnastics, the Swallow Reminder – a swallowing reminder training for dysphagia, and the CuraSwing app, which is an application for therapeutic sensor-based music feedback.

In addition to his work, Stefan Mainka runs the Stimmzirkel Potsdam, a project focused on choral voice improvisation.

More information here.