Canadian Music Therapy

We are extending a warm welcome to Elaine Cheung on this episode of the Canadian Music Therapy Podcast. Elaine is the President of the Music Therapy Association for Alberta and she shares with listeners about her experience as a board member of the MTAA and where she sees the future of music therapy not only for Alberta, but for Canada. Elaine also shares a poignant story of the impact of music therapy for patients and staff in intensive care units.

Here is a little more about Elaine:

Elaine is currently the President of the Music Therapy Association for Alberta and has been working with the JB Music Therapy team for the last five years. She received her Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier and prior to that, a degree in Music Education and a certificate in Clarinet Performance. She loves the thrill of working with people of all ages and abilities and aims to develop a meaningful therapeutic relationship to maximize a person's potential for change and growth. When not providing music therapy services, you can find Elaine searching for the next learning opportunity and playing clarinet in a community ensemble.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, we welcome Julia Beth Kowaleski to talk about the Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTA0), their projects and mission. Julia will also share her thoughts on the challenges and future of the profession of music therapy. She also tells listeners about her experience establishing a music therapy practice in Antigua.

Here is a little more about Julia Beth:

Julia Beth Kowaleski is a certified music therapist, Neurolgic MT fellow, founder & owner of Julia's Place Music Therapy. She has served in the president role on the Music Therapy Association of Ontario Board of Directors since 2016. Julia founded the first music therapy practice on the island of Antigua (2010) working with children. She has a Bachelors of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University (2010), her Masters of Music and Health Sciences at U of T where she is currently a PhD student.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, we welcome Naomi Ben-Aharon as they talk about their experiences as a queer music therapist coming from a family of non-musicians, they discovered a strong connection to music. They describe personal growth, clinical experiences, their willingness to be uncomfortable, taking intentional risks and connecting with clients in mental health, hospice and 2SLGTBQ+ communities.

Here is a little more about Naomi: 

Naomi Ben-Aharon (they/them) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Certified Music Therapist (MTA) with a Master of Music Therapy degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Naomi is a transgender, non-binary, queer therapist who uses a resource-oriented, trauma-informed, client-centered, and anti-oppressive approach to music psychotherapy. Their internships have focused on the areas of mental health (Homewood Health Centre, Cambridge Memorial Hospital), hospice care (Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice), and long-term care (Shalom Village).

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, our guest Rachael Finnerty shares with us what proactive wellness is and why she believes that music therapy is a proactive approach to mental health. Rachael is also a PhD candidate and talks about her research and the results so far. As the founder of the Music Therapy Academy, she discusses the ultimate goal of the academy.

Here is a little more about Rachael:

Rachael has been a music therapist for 20 years, she served as the president of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario from 2010-2014 and was the recipient of the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, for Healthcare in 2015. Rachael brought 2 music therapy courses to McMaster University in 2010 and currently educates over 2000 students each academic year about music therapy.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, we have a very special guest host putting us in the hot seat! Stacy Maynard is our podcast producer and tech guru. She is passionate about helping businesses get visible online. Stacy prepared a bunch of questions for us and without preparation, you can listen in as she asks us about the background of Beyond the Studio, Sing it Girls, the podcast and what Adrienne thinks about the future of music therapy!

Stacy works with corporate teams and entrepreneurs alike to make their strategy work for their business, brand and bottom line.

Visit www.themastermind.city to see how she can help your business.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, Stephen Williams speaks to us about how his career in music therapy began and his key learnings from working on boards and committees throughout his journey. He also shares with us his inspiration for a recent presentation about psychological woundedness and the power of vulnerability. 

A little more about Stephen Williams:

Stephen has been a certified music therapist for over 30 years. The second half of his career has been as a music therapy educator at the Capilano University Bachelor of Music Therapy program in North Vancouver, BC. Prior to teaching he worked with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly in his music therapy practice. Until recently, he maintained a small private music therapy practice with a focus on adults and mental health, and adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome. Half of Stephen's role at Capilano University is teaching in the music therapy program, and the other half is an administrative, coordinator role. Service has been at the core of Stephen's career in music therapy.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

This episode is a little different! We have two guests joining us, Mary Meads and Tess McKinnon. Mary is a licence owner for the evidence-based, Canadian program called Sing it Girls and Tess has been a participant of the Sing it Girls program at 4 different times over the past year. They talk about their experiences both facilitating the program and from a participant’s perspective.

A little more about Tess McKinnon:

Tess is 11 years old and lives in Waterloo Ontario with her family and 2 guinea pigs, Sherlock & Watson. She loves performing, including dance, drama and singing. Her favorite subject is science, and she likes to play badminton. When she’s bored, she likes to read, hangout with her friends, do crafts, and play with her guinea pigs.

A little more about Mary Meads:

Mary Meads (she/her) is a Credentialed Music Therapist and owner of Wellington Music Therapy Services. A graduate of the Concordia Creative Arts Therapies Masters, Music Therapy option, Mary returned home to Guelph, Ontario to set up her practice with hopes of extending the powerful reaches of music therapy deep into Guelph and the surrounding areas. She loves connecting with community partners and families, developing new programs, advocating for the profession, and engaging with her team of 8 MTAs to offer high quality and exciting music therapy & Community music programs. Mary’s current clinical work focuses on Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care settings, early intervention / early childhood music education, and using the singing voice to enhance wellbeing. Mary also holds a part time position at St. Joseph's Health Care Centre in Guelph, where she supports those living in Long Term Care. Next steps for Mary include engaging more deeply in Anti Oppressive Practice, and leaning into a broader application of music and health on a community level.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Learn more about buying a Sing it Girls licence here: www.singitgirls.ca

In this episode, Esther shares with us about the curriculum for Meet In The Music©- music therapy curriculum for children with autism & diverse needs. She covers examples of program content, data collection, documentation and clinical report generation using the curriculum. 

A little more about Esther Thane

Esther has specialized in the field of Autism and special needs since 1996. After over a decade on faculty at Capilano University, teaching in the Bachelor of Music Therapy Program, Esther continues to enjoy presenting at conferences, writing book reviews for published journals and holding workshops for universities, local agencies as well as internationally. In 2014, Esther completed Dr. Diane Austin's (Music Psychotherapy Center, NY) first international distance training program in Advanced Vocal Psychotherapy. Her publication in the book: Voicework in Music Therapy (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), focuses on her innovative method of Vocal-Led Relaxation for Children with Autism. Esther created Meet In The Music© (MITM) music therapy curriculum for children with autism, which is utilized by music therapists throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Esther is Executive Director of ET Music Therapy in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the team serve over 120 families with both in person and telehealth.  ET Music Therapy is situated in two studio locations as well as in schools, implementing the MITM curriculum. In 2017, Esther received the “Iconic Women Creating a Better World For All” award, presented by the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi, India. Recently, Esther received the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) PEER RECOGNITION AWARD for innovation and advocacy.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

To connect with Esther and learn more about Meet in Music© please visit: https://www.etmusictherapy.com/

In this episode we are privileged to welcome 2 guests, Michelle and Lee-Anne, who are both assistant professors of Music Therapy from Canadian Mennonite University. They speak about the CMU music therapy program, how their unique perspectives influence the work they do, and the practicum experiences of students. 

Here is a little more about Michelle: Michelle Yaciuk, is a professor of music therapy at CMU and owns Prelude Music a music therapy and education business in Winnipeg, MB. Her passions include teaching music therapy students, early childhood development and all things business.

Here is more information about Lee-Anne: Lee-Anne Dowsett is a music therapist and clinical counsellor specializing in attachment-focused work with children and families. She is also an Assistant Professor at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.

Connect with Lee-Anne and Michelle:

Lee-Anne: @leeannendowsett

Michelle: @preludemusicwinnipeg

If you are looking for a music therapist, please visit www.beyondthestudio.ca 

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

In this episode, our guest Dr. Amy Clements-Cortes shares with listeners about her research and clinical work which has had a global impact in advancing the discipline of music therapy. She also delves into relationship completion in palliative care music therapy along with her vision for the future of music therapy.

A little more about Dr. Amy:

Connect with Amy:

If you are looking for a music therapist, please visit www.beyondthestudio.ca

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy