Rethinking language development through rhythm, improvisation, and real connection.
Guest: Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP
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In this episode of The Gestalt Get-Together, Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP, sits down with speech-language pathologist, researcher, musician, and Beyond Words podcast host Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP, to explore jazz as a framework for thinking about speech and language development. Garrett shares how his background in jazz performance shaped his understanding of communication as a dynamic, improvised skill built through timing, interaction, listening, and real-world use rather than drills or isolated practice. Together, Corinne and Garrett discuss why fluency emerges through meaningful participation, how rhythm and motor learning support language development, and the shifts that occur when therapy moves from correcting errors to supporting connection, flexibility, and authentic communication.
About the Guest: Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, musician, and research coordinator with over eight years of experience working in clinics and schools throughout California. A graduate of Emerson College (2014), he integrates his background in communication sciences with creative approaches to therapy, technology, and education. His interdisciplinary work bridges clinical practice, research, and the arts to support innovative, evidence-based care.
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