Canadian Music Therapy

In this episode, we are speaking with Anna Plaskett about her journey to becoming a music therapist and her entrepreneurial pursuits as it relates to building Heartsparks Music Therapy and an exciting new collaboration with the Maritime Conservatory. Anna also shares her best advice to those just starting out in the profession of music therapy.

Here is a little more about Anna:

Anna Plaskett is the Music Therapy Department Head at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She has over 18 years experience as a music therapy clinician, supervisor, presenter and entrepreneur. Anna holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Michigan State University, a Certificate of Music Therapy from Acadia University, and is a Certified MTA. She has served as the Continuing Education Chair & Vice President for the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy.  Anna performs original children’s music and released her debut children’s album, ‘To the Moon & Back’ in 2017. She is also a proud mother to her six-year-old daughter, Elsie.

In this episode, we are speaking with Kimiko Suzuki about her role as the Canadian Association of Music Therapists chair of Equity and Diversity. Kimiko also tells us more about her journey to becoming a music therapist and what inspires her.

Here is a little more about Kimiko:

Kimiko Suzuki, MA, MTA (she/her/hers) is the current Equity & Diversity Chair for CAMT since 2021. She received her MTA status in 2016, has been working in the field of music therapy since 2017, and obtained her MA in Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy Option) at Concordia University in 2018. Her current professional role is Lecturer for the 3rd and 4th year music therapy courses at Acadia University's School of Music (located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq nation). She has presented at four annual CAMT Conferences, acted as a guest panelist for "Sound, Mind, and Body: The Healing Power of Music" hosted by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and toured around Canada as a performing violist.

For more information on how to access the CAMT documents mentioned in this episode: https://www.musictherapy.ca/about-camt-music-therapy/camt-and-social-justice/

Today we are excited to interview Yasmin Kawar about her work with persons in addictions recovery, trauma, and abuse. She tells us more about what it was like for her starting out in music therapy and what her best advice is for new music therapists.

Here is a little more about Yasmin:

Yasmin Kawar is a Jordanian-Canadian music therapist and qualifying counselling therapist working in the K’jipuktuk (Halifax) area. Yasmin specializes in providing music therapy in mental health settings and is currently working with persons in addictions recovery, trauma & abuse, and criminalized populations. Yasmin's approach is person-centered, intersectional, and anti-oppressive. She works to meet her clients where they are in their life journey to collaboratively and creatively explore challenges, deepen self-understanding, and develop innate resources for healing and personal growth. Yasmin also serves as Vice President for board of the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy, and Secretary for the Creative Arts in Counselling Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit:

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Today we speak with Daniel Kruger about his research for his master's thesis on the history of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT). He shares more about the details of the study and how this research has informed his music therapy practice.

Daniel Kruger: MA, MTA

Daniel Kruger is a Montréal-based music therapist, guitarist, producer, and composer. Daniel has spent time studying jazz, highlife, and improvised music at the University of Guelph and University of Ghana. He completed his masters degree in music therapy at Concordia University in 2019. Daniel is an active musician in the creative improvised music scene in Montréal. His masters research project focused on the early history of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. He now works full-time as a music therapist in the child and adolescent psychiatry department at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute where he also supervises masters students from Concordia. Daniel's clinical work prioritizes the use of pre-structured and free improvisation, and places an emphasis on collaborative composition and recording projects.

For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit:

beyondthestudio.ca

On this show we have the pleasure of chatting with the past president, current president, and president-elect of the association to get their unique perspectives on what’s happening on the west coast of Canada. We get a better understanding of the leadership structure and initiatives that are happening with the Music Therapy Association of British Columbia.

Here is a little more about Susan, Laura, and Sheila:

Susan Summers PhD, MTA:

Susan Summers is a Certified Music Therapist and Vocal Psychotherapist who has been a passionate advocate in her clinical work with older adults and those at end-of-life and in leadership roles for over three decades. She has been an instructor in the music therapy department at Capilano University for nearly 25 years. Susan currently serves on three professional boards: Canadian Association of Music Therapists, Federation for Counselling Therapists in BC, and the Music Therapy Association of BC, and is currently serving again as President of MTABC. Susan’s passion and vision for music therapy inspires students, colleagues, and other health professionals to partner with us to ensure that music therapy is known and is available to everyone as an essential health profession.

Laura Hastings, MTA, MA, BMT, BA in Mus, NICU-MT:

Laura graduated from Capilano University in 2013 after completing her internship at BC Children's Hospital. After practicing for 4 years in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in private practice, long-term care, and in the non-profit sector, she went on to complete a Master's in music therapy at Concordia University in Montreal. There, she joined forces with Capilano graduate Alison Usher-Jones in her private practice working with individuals with autism. The thrilling festivals and world-class food of Montreal were spectacular but, after 4 years, she returned to the West Coast to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and in long-term care. Laura is excited to be in the new Board position of President Elect and to support BC music therapists.

Sheila Lee, MA, MTA, FAMI, NICU-MT, RCC :

Sheila has been involved in music and the arts all her life. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified music therapist, she regularly uses music, dance, visual arts, and play therapy techniques in her work. She has a BA from UBC, Bachelor of Music Therapy from Capilano U, and an MA in Counselling from UVic. As a lifelong learner, she has completed certifications in Neurologic Music Therapy, NeonataI Intensive Care Unit-Music Therapy, all three levels of The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, and Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma & Resilience.

“For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca

Today we welcome two guests from Quebec, Nathalie Albert and Marie-Fatima Rudolf who will be sharing with us more about the Quebec Association of Music Therapy. They will also speak about their own experiences as music therapists and performers and how the roles interchange and influence one another. 

Here is a little more about Nathalie:

Nathalie is a vocalist with a vast performance and recording background.  She studied music at the University of Montreal and discovered music therapy when performing in health care settings and completed her MA in Music Therapy at Concordia in 2019.  Currently she works full-time with children with special needs at Yaldei School in Montreal. Other experiences include working with children suffering complex trauma from abuse or neglect, and older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders and those with intellectual disabilities. She is currently the President of the AQM.

Here is more about Marie-Fatima:

Marie-Fatima Rudolf is a jazz pianist and music therapist based in Montreal. After obtaining her Bachelor degree in jazz piano at McGill, she spent several years performing, recording albums, and teaching, before doing a Masters in jazz piano in New York. While in New York she discovered music therapy at the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, and fell in love with the idea of combining music and well-being. She completed her masters in music therapy at Concordia in 2018 and has been working in various settings, including long-term care, palliative care, with autistic children and children with physical disabilities. She continues to perform and record in Montreal, Toronto, and New York.

For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca

In this episode, we are speaking with Sawyer Garrity and Vallye Adams, both from southern Florida.

Sawyer shares with us how the song Shine was created and the impact of this around the world. She also tells us more about the non-profit organization, ShineMSD, that she co-founded. Vallye tells us more about the mission and impact of ShineMSD along with more about the Instrument of Hope.

Here is a little more about Sawyer:

Sawyer Garrity is one of the co-writers of Shine and co-founders of ShineMSD. She is a senior at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music studying music therapy. Sawyer found her voice with music at a young age and has been deeply connected to it ever since. She uses music to help cope with her problems in the world; it is her outlet when she needs to express anything at all. While writing Shine with her close friend, Andrea Pena, Sawyer realized the full power that music has on people, and it’s healing properties. She hopes that with the ShineMSD Foundation, people from her community can find ways to express themselves through art and start the healing process. She truly believes that art has the power to transform us all. She wants everyone to remember to be kind to everyone they meet and treat others with love.

Here is a little more about Vallye:

Vallye Adams is the founder and CEO of Etavele Solutions, LLC, a national consulting firm based in Tampa Florida. Unique like her name, Etavele offers solutions to ‘elevate’ and enhance events, engage boards, specializing in proven sustainable revenue development in the not-for-profit sector. Growing up and a native to the Ft. Lauderdale FL area, Vallye is proud to represent SHINE MSD as their acting Executive Director and Non Profit Consultant.

To learn more about ShineMSD please visit: https://shinemsd.org/

To listen to the song, Shine, please visit: https://open.spotify.com/track/2T3uaiOXltqaOthhAPzzzA?si=974f55e7a8c14a1a

“For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca “

In this episode, we welcome Melody Owen from Vancouver British Columbia. Melody speaks with us about what neurodivergent means and how music therapy is essential for expression and awareness of self. Melody also shares about her current projects and how they are woven into her music therapy practice.

Here is a little more about Melody:

Melody is a neurodivergent music therapist and GIM fellow working in Vancouver, BC. She received her Bachelors of Music Therapy at Capilano University and her GIM certification from the Inner Journey with GIM program. She primarily works with children and youth in a variety of community settings in Vancouver and Squamish as well as is the owner of Sing It Girls East Vancouver. Her company, Music With Melody provides music therapy services for children with extra needs and the families who support them and is a part of STEPS BC clinic, a collaborative space where families can create a team of professionals to support their child's needs. Melody continues to grow her GIM practice and is curious about the relationship between music and our spiritual well-being.

“For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca “

In this episode, we welcome Nicola Oddy from Perth Ontario. Nicola will be sharing details about her latest research project: Seeking Awareness of Our Selves and the Environment through Vocal Improvisation in The Singing Field. She will also explain how this research will be used in her music therapy practice.

Here is a little more about Nicola:

Nicola has been a music therapist in Canada for 37 years, using the voice as her primary mode of intervention in both her practice and in her research. She is a proud MTA, a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, and is a Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Currently, she supervises interns and professional music therapists who come to her for one-to-one and group music centred supervision both in person and online. She also teaches courses at Concordia University in Creative Arts Therapies and at Carleton University in the school for studies of art and culture and in the school for industrial design. Nicola recently fulfilled a life-long dream by completing her PhD, studying singing as a listening practice at Carleton University in the music stream of the Cultural Mediations program. Through her research-creation project, The Singing Field, she learned how environmental vocal exploration (EVE)in place can be a tool for increasing awareness of both self and place. She has written several published articles and book chapters and has served her music therapy community as conference co-ordinator, proceedings editor, on the editorial review board for the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, and as president of the CAMT.

For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca

In this episode, we welcome Miya Adout from Toronto Ontario. Miya will speak with us about her experience as a successful music therapy business owner, what it takes to continue to succeed in the field along with advice for new music therapists. Miya also shares information about providing cultural competence training for music therapists and allied healthcare professionals who are working with Jewish older adults.

Here is a little more about Miya:

Miya Adout is a graduate of Concordia University where she received a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies after completing a BA in Culture and Expression from York University. Miya works with individuals of many ages and needs with a focus on dementia care. She opened her private practice, Miya Music Therapy, in 2015 which now consists of a team of over 10 certified music therapists providing services to individuals and care-facilities throughout Ontario. Miya is also passionate about providing training workshops for dementia care teams on the topics of using music with intention in care facilities and cultural sensitivity when working with Jewish older adults. Aside from her clinical, entrepreneurial, and coaching work, Miya spends her time practicing photography, being out in nature, and most enjoyably being with her two young children.

For more information about resources from today’s show, please visit: beyondthestudio.ca