Canadian Music Therapy Beyond the Studio

In this episode, we are speaking with Kristen DiMarco about her journey to becoming a music therapist and her specialization in pediatric hospice work. Kristen also tells us more about her vision for the future of the profession of music therapy in Canada.

Here is a little more about Kristen:

Kristen DiMarco, a certified Music Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist, holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Arts in Creatives Arts Therapies from Concordia University. Kristen is the music therapist at Emily’s House Children’s Hospice where she supports children and families who are navigating life limiting illness and loss through both the inpatient and home-visiting programs. Kristen has been practicing music therapy for over 8 years, previously working with adults in community, hospital, and long-term care settings. She is on the Board of Directors of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario, holding the role of Government Regulation Chair for three years before recently transitioning to the role of Ethics Chair.

In this episode, we are speaking with Annabelle Brault who shares with us about her journey to becoming a music therapist along with why she has chosen to focus her published research around clinical work with informal caregivers. Annabelle also tells us more about why she has chosen to study digital well being as part of her doctoral work.

Here is a little more about Annabelle:

Annabelle Brault, MA, MTA is a resource-oriented music therapist, musician, researcher and educator. She is an artist member of the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance at Concordia University, and the French content editor for the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy. She provides music therapy services in-person and online in various community organisations and institutions in the greater Montreal area as well as professional music therapy supervision at the National Institute of Music Therapy. She is a PhD Candidate at Concordia University investigating the potential of musicking for exploring digital well-being issues in post-secondary students. Other research interests include the use of music technology as a creative medium to instill social change, as well as resource-oriented approaches in clinical and educational contexts. Annabelle teaches both in-person and online learning in the Creative Arts Therapies department at Concordia University, and most recently in the Department of Music Research at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music.

In this episode, we are speaking with Steffi Friyia, Vice President of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario. She is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto Master’s in Music and Health Sciences program and she will tell us about her academic experience and research. We wrap things up by discussion Steffi’s volunteer experiences and why this is important for the next generation of music therapists.

The Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO)
Conference is
February 24th, 2024: https://musictherapyontario.com/events/2024-mtao-conference-and-agm/


Here is a little more about Steffi:

Steffi is a recent MA graduate of the Music and Health Sciences program at the University of Toronto. With a decade of experience as a certified music therapist, Steffi has embarked on a new venture by founding "Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Ontario," where her focus is specifically on working with stroke patients in the next chapter of her career. In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Steffi remains actively involved in academia. Until the end of June 2024, she dedicates her expertise to assisting current PhD students with their research projects. These projects explore the impact of music on individuals dealing with stroke, autism, depression, and suicide. Notably, Steffi has also been hired as a casual research assistant for the Centre of Depression and Suicide Studies at St. Michael's Hospital. Currently, Steffi leads the Toronto-Area Music Therapists group. Concurrently, she serves as the Vice-President of the MTAO Board of Directors, contributing to the advancement and governance of the field. Steffi's commitment to the intersection of music and health continues to shape both her professional journey and the broader landscape of music therapy.

In this episode, we are speaking with Pam Lansbergen with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. Pam will share more about her decade-long journey with the CAMT along with some of the key initiatives she’s been involved with. Pam also tells us about her biggest learning moment and her thoughts on the future of music therapy in Canada.

Here is a little more about Pam:

Pam has been working for CAMT since 2013 with a focus on delivery of member services, volunteer management, event management, and systems development. When not at work, Pam enjoys spending time with her husband, cats and dog. She is an avid trail runner and serves as a Race Co-director for Phoenix Trail Races in London, Ontario.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. SarahRose Black back on the podcast from Toronto, Ontario.

SarahRose shares more about the reach and importance of music therapy research. With the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy now being open access, she explains how it helps bring music therapy research to an international level and to allied health professionals.

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. She is also the outgoing editor of the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy. In addition, she promotes music and health with Pulse Music Media.

Link to Canadian Journal of Music Therapy:

https://cjmt-rcm.musictherapy.ca/index.php/cjmt-rcm/issue/view/4

We have four guests we are featuring on this episode Chrissy, Quentin, Hannah and Aprajita from the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. On this episode we’ll get a greater understanding of the mandates of the fund along with opportunities for scholarships, grants, and music therapy advocacy.

For more information about the fund, please visit: https://musictherapyfund.ca/



Chrissy Pearson:

Chrissy is a certified music therapist, registered psychotherapist and fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery. She has worked in various settings including long-term care, palliative care, acute care, group homes, and inpatient and community mental health. She currently works in Toronto at Baycrest Centre, is the executive director of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund and runs a small private practice offering GIM and supervision. Chrissy recently published a paper exploring the experiences of older adults who are aging at home with online music therapy sessions. Advocating for music therapy and providing presentations and consultations about the benefits of music therapy is an important part of her work.

Quentin Burgess:

Quentin Burgess is the Director of Industry and Member Relations at Music Canada, who represents Canada's major record labels. In this role, he works closely with label staff and industry partners, and oversees the organization's Gold/Platinum Certification Program, which recognizes and celebrates milestone sales of music in Canada. Quentin is the Board Chair of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund, and a member of CMTF's Advocacy Committee

Aprajita Saxena:

Aprajita is a certified music therapist and the manager for the Music Therapy Centre in Toronto, supported by the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. In her journey as a music therapist, she has had the opportunity to work with children and older adults with varying clinical goals, mental health needs, and cultural backgrounds. Her clinical work is rooted in a person-centered approach that involves the use of music to connect and support individuals with their holistic wellness goals. Additionally, her recent research initiatives have been focused on understanding the global music therapy landscape with a special focus on India. In her spare time, one can find her travelling, reading fiction or singing Indian classical music.

Hannah You:

Hannah You, a Certified Music Therapist completed her Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2009. Her current position at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto has afforded her the opportunity to provide music therapy services in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cardiology and works closely with the Paediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT). She has completed a specialized NICU music therapy training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York. Hannah is a Board Member of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund since 2019 and is incoming Vice Chair. She leads the Disbursements Committee and is passionate about creating continued opportunities for grants and scholarships for music therapy across Canada.