In this episode, Elizabeth talks with us about her lived experience as a music therapist, her vision for the future of music therapy and important lessons learned on her journey. Liz shares poignant experiences about working in residential mental health care and the impact music can make on the way people perceive clients. Her passion is making music accessible because she believes that “access to music is a human right.”

A little more Elizabeth:

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

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

On this episode, Paul Lauzon digs into his research that focuses on the concepts of belief, value, relationships, and learning. Through his work, he is challenging the way we think about respect for persons and our relationships with each other and ourselves. 

A little more about Paul:

Paul Lauzon is Founding Professor of the Acadia University Music Therapy Program. As a clinician, he has worked with clients throughout the life cycle, from prenatal to palliative care. As a teacher and scholar, he has an abiding interest in understanding why music is effective as therapy. He is a Certified Music Therapist with 40 years of experience – he is a past President of Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT), and the founding President of the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy (AAMT), he is committed to the growth of Music Therapy in the Atlantic region. 

Read more about Paul Lauzon here: https://beyondthestudio.ca/podcast 

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, Dr. SarahRose Black speaks with us about the variety of roles she has in the field of music therapy. From her research exploring music therapy in the context of assisted dying, to her role as the editor in chief of the Canadian Journal of Music therapy, to her work in the field of oncology and palliative care. SarahRose is passionate about music and health and that comes through on today’s show.

A little more about Dr. SarahRose Black:

Dr. SarahRose Black is a certified music therapist and registered psychotherapist, specializing in palliative care and psychosocial oncology at both the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Kensington Hospice in Toronto.  In addition, she promotes music and health with Pulse Music Media.

Read more about Dr. SarahRose Black here: https://beyondthestudio.ca/podcast 

Connect with SarahRose on Social Media: 

Twitter: @sarahroseblack

PULSE:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/pulsemusicmedia

Instagram: @pulsemusicmedia

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

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

On this episode, Dr. Kevin Kirkland delves into the current research that is happening in BC in the field of music therapy along with his mission to shed a light on supporting individuals who have had adverse childhood experiences. 

A little more about Dr. Kevin Kirkland:

Kevin Kirkland has been practicing music therapy since 1989, he is an instructor of music therapy at Capilano University and is more passionate about the field than ever. He joins us today from Vancouver, British Columbia

Read more about Dr. Kirkland here: https://beyondthestudio.ca/podcast 

Connect with Kevin on social media: 

https://www.instagram.com/aces_and_addiction/ 

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

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Chrissy Pearson focuses on taking chances with her journey to become a music therapist and psychotherapist. She shares with us some poignant stories of how she connected with clients in non-traditional ways and speaks to her passion for advocating for music therapy.

Chrissy received her Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy from the University of Windsor in 2002. She completed her internship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Aging and Veterans Care. She is a certified music therapist (MTA), a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists (RP) and a Fellow of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (FAMI). She has worked with people of all ages facing a diverse range of challenges in settings such as community mental health, schools, long term care, hospitals and in private practice. Currently, Chrissy works in Toronto at Baycrest Centre in palliative care and inpatient psychiatry, and in April of this year she became the Executive Director of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. Chrissy is an active supervisor and has received teaching and supervision awards from both Sunnybrook and Baycrest.

Over the years, Chrissy has served on various committees for the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and, during her time in Winnipeg, spent a term as President of the Music Therapy Association of Manitoba. Advocating for music therapy and providing presentations and consultations about the benefits of music therapy is an important part of her work.

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

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Listen in as Kiki Chang and Joel Klassen talk about what it has been like for Canadian music therapists during the pandemic and changes made at the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. Kiki will also share the relationship between music therapy and the social determinants of health while Joel speaks about his journey as an atypical music therapist.

Kiki is the current President of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists.  She has been a Certified Music Therapist (MTA) since 2009, primarily working in hospital and long-term care settings with older adults.  Kiki has completed graduate-level training in both music therapy and counselling and psychotherapy, and is currently a PhD candidate specializing in health policy and equity.  Her doctoral research focuses on the government regulation of health care professions from a health equity perspective and its impacts on music therapy in Canada. 

Joel Klassen is a Certified Music Therapist (MTA) living and working in rural Southern Manitoba. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy (Nordoff-Robbins) from the University of Edinburgh. For the past 15 years he has been a full-time music therapist for Eden Health Care Services, serving a mental health hospital and numerous long term care homes. Trained in cello, piano, guitar and voice, his clinical work focuses on dementia care and the enabling of recovery from mental illness.

Joel serves as a practicum supervisor and lecturer for CMU in Winnipeg, and is currently vice president on the board of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists.

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

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Dr. Summers has an incredible history in the field of music therapy and vocal psychotherapy. Listen in to hear her personal stories about the impact of using voice in music therapy and her belief that everyone can sing. Susan also tells listeners about her work with older adults and her tireless efforts for the advocacy of music therapy in Canada.  

Meet Susan: 

Susan Summers, PhD, MTA is a certified music therapist and vocal psychotherapist who has been passionate about her work with older adults and those at end-of-life care for over three decades. She teaches in the music therapy department at Capilano University, serves on several professional association boards, and is in private practice. Her graduate work research focused on the healing and therapeutic use of voice. She has been a member of the UBC research team for ten years with an interest in music therapy clinical practice with seniors with dementia. She brings her passion for advocacy for music therapy to her current roles as MTABC and CAMT Advocacy and Government regulations chair.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Elizabeth Eldridge is an innovator, leader and is passionate about her work in the field of music therapy and mental wellness. Elizabeth shares a poignant story about a young client from a psychiatric facility and how music therapy helped her come out of her shell and find her strength in recovery. Elizabeth also tells us about where her professional journey has taken her and why connection in so important, particularly during the pandemic. 

Meet Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Eldridge is a Certified Music Therapist, Psychological Healthy & Safety Consultant and serial entrepreneur. Following her music therapy degree at Acadia University she completed her clinical internship in Mental Health Recovery Services in Hamilton, Ontario, which ignited her passion for mental health. In her role as an intern she gained invaluable experience working on an interdisciplinary team supporting clients living with various psychiatric illnesses. She returned home to southern New Brunswick in 2008 and established Arpeggio Music Therapy, which has expanded to include internship and subcontracting positions.

In 2012, after identifying the need for mental health education for laypersons, Elizabeth founded Arpeggio Health Services whose ever-growing team now provides training opportunities like Mental Health First Aid Canada-wide. Taking on additional education related to mental health herself, Elizabeth launched a consulting practice and now works as an advisor to companies that are adopting best practices around psychological health and safety management, striving to optimize workplace mental health to boost productivity, decrease absenteeism and improve employee engagement, retention and workplace culture.

Elizabeth has served in various board and committee roles over the years in support of the growth of music therapy as a profession, including a term as president of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists.

To connect with Elizabeth, please visit: www.elizabetheldridge.com 

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Jennifer Buchanan is a pioneer in the field of music therapy in Canada. She blends health, heart and mastery while continuing to advance the field of music therapy. Jennifer speaks candidly with us about her humble beginnings, her sources of inspiration and how music is a powerful connector for professionals and those from diverse backgrounds.

Meet Jennifer:

Jennifer’s company JB Music Therapy has been instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs throughout Canada for almost 30 years and has been thrice nominated for the Community Impact Award by the Chamber of Commerce.  Jennifer is the recipient of the two most prestigious Canadian music therapy lifetime service awards: the Franni Award and the Norma Sharpe Award.

She is the Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and has been an invited keynote speaker at national and international conventions speaking on music therapy and health entrepreneurship to a wide variety of education, healthcare, government, small business, and corporate audiences.

As an author of two award-winning books – ‘Tune In‘ and ‘Wellness Incorporated‘ she has appeared as a guest on numerous news and current affairs programs including Fox News Health, NBC, CBS, CTV, Global TV, CBC Radio and Television and has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and Canadian Living.

In addition to her Music Therapy education, Jennifer has her Executive MBA specializing in social entrepreneurship from the University of Fredericton.

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy

Noreen Donnell is a Certified Music Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with the first Undergraduate (1988) and Graduate (2003) Music Therapy classes and has dedicated her entire career to the field. Her most recent success is the creation of the Commusicate program which is being used by music therapist’s internationally! Noreen candidly tells us about her personal journey becoming a certified music therapist. The poignant stories she shares about three unique clients and how music made a pivotal difference in their lives will connect you to why music therapy is a powerful modality for growth and healing.

Meet Noreen:

Combining her desire to help others with a lifelong study of music, Noreen Donnell has dedicated more than 30 years to her profession as a Certified Music Therapist. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Music Therapy and a Master's degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University, she has extensive experience working in different settings helping children and adults with developmental delays and physical disabilities, psychiatric and emotional challenges, and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. From 2010-2014, she was the Clinical Director of Music Therapy at Blueballoon Health Services. Prior to that position, she operated her own private practise Halton Music Therapy, and has worked at hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and long-term care facilities. She is co-founder of ComMusicate, a successful and unique music-based group intervention program that combines music therapy and speech language pathology to improve communication skills in children. She is also accredited with the Canadian Association for Music Therapy where she served on the national board as Vice President (2004- 2009). Noreen is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and is a member of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario, Laurier Centre for Music Therapy Research, and the Songwriters Association of Canada. Noreen has also published numerous articles in the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, and has composed for and produced a children’s CD entitled “Singalingalong”. Noreen is currently operating a supervision practise, MusicByDesign, working as music therapist at Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board, and consults to various organizations. As a musician, Noreen plays piano, guitar, violin and percussion.

Learn more about ComMusicate here: https://beyondthestudio.ca/commusicate

If you are looking for customized online music lessons visit www.beyondthestudio.ca

To join the discussion online, please use hashtag #CanadianMusicTherapy