Canadian Music Therapy

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’jipukt...

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 jaz...

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...

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 rec...

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...

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 work...

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 y...

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 Je...

In this episode, we welcome Alexandra Moir from Halifax Nova Scotia. Alexandra shares with us what’s happening at the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy in terms of new projects along with some of the challenges faced in Atlantic Canada. She ends the interview with a story from her own journey to becoming a Music Therapist. Here is a little more about Alexandra: Alexandra Moir, BMus, CMT, MTA,...

In this episode, we speak with Fleur Hughes from Calgary Alberta. Fleur discusses her humanistic approach to Music Therapy using Improvisation with children along with inspiring advice for new music therapists based on her clinical career. Here is a little more about Fleur: Fleur Hughes completed her Music Therapy Master’s degree at the University of West England in 2015 and is working towards a P...

In this very special episode celebrating music therapy month, we have two guests joining us. First, we have Jennifer Buchanan from Calgary Alberta and we welcome Chrissy Pearson from Toronto Ontario.  We speak with Jennifer and Chrissy about what’s happening across Canada during music therapy month, their experiences moving into executive director roles along with collaborative projects to su...

In today’s show, we welcome Amanda Schenstead from Regina Saskatchewan. Listen in as Amanda speaks about her journey as a music therapist and her role as President of the Music Therapy Association of Saskatchewan. She also tells us more about how she views music therapy as a part of overall wellness. A little more about Amanda: Amanda Schenstead grew up in small town Whitewood, SK and after gradua...

In this episode we welcome Sandy Pelley, the founder of Creative Music Therapy Solutions and Music Therapy Suite. Sandy shares her experiences with us about her journey to becoming a music therapist along with how she established her two businesses. We also learn more about Sandy’s vision for the future of music therapy. A little more about Sandy: Sandy Pelley is a Certified Music Therapist (MTA)...

This “mash up” is in celebration of our 1-year anniversary of the Canadian Music Therapy Podcast! One of the important parts of the interviews with our guests is asking them to share a poignant story with listeners in their as work music therapists. On this episode, we have created a compilation of 8 guests from 2021 that focuses on their stories and experiences as music therapists in Canada. We h...

In this episode, we welcome Robyn Peters, the President of the Music Therapy Association of Manitoba. Robyn who speaks about her journey from completing her degree in music therapy to quickly moving into the role of MTAM board president. Robyn also shares more about the projects that MTAM is involved with along with the FACT-MB certification process. Robyn began pursuing her music therapy degree a...

In this episode, we have created a mash up of four interviews from 2021 that focuses on the visions our guests have for the future of music therapy in Canada. We hear inspiring ideas from Dr. Susan Summers, Dr. Amy Clements-Cortes, Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, and Dr. SarahRose Black as ways to look ahead to what is possible. Our featured guests: Dr. Summers: at 1:21 Dr. Clements-Cortes: at 4:36 Dr. El...

In this episode, we have created a mash up of four interviews from 2021 that focuses on the journey to become a Music Therapist. We hear about the personal origin stories from Noreen Donnell, Jennifer Buchanan, Chrissy Pearson and Stephen Williams. We learn how these successful music therapists started their careers and the winding paths they have had.  To join the discussion online, please u...

In this episode we welcome Mackenzie Costron from K'jipuktuk/ Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mackenzie shares the concepts of heart centered business within a music therapy practice framework. She also discusses her thoughts on the sustainability of heart centered entrepreneurship in Canada and globally. Here is a little more about Mackenzie: Mackenzie Costron, BMT, MTA, RCT (she/her), is the Owner and Fou...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ove...

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...