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Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.
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A registered psychotherapist and credentialed music therapist, I received my Master and Doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto. My extensive music therapy and psychotherapy experience involves working with clients across the lifespan as well as: older adults; individuals diagnosed with dementia, cancer, terminal or mental illness, learning disability, developmental delay, & autism; individuals living with Parkinson's, stroke, traumatic brain injury; and those who have experienced trauma or who are seeking expanded awareness. I also have a small private practice Notes by Amy founded in 1995, where I offer music therapy, and psychotherapy services.
I am an active researcher, and I have been fortunate to have given 15 keynote talks, as well as to have delivered over 200 conference and invited presentations around the globe, at events such as the World Congresses of Music Therapy, European Music Therapy Congresses, and the International Congresses on Palliative Care. I have written 45+ peer reviewed publications, co-authored a book and multiple book chapters, and I serve on the editorial review board for 8 international journals.
I am active in service work for the professions of music therapy and psychotherapy, and currently serve as Past-President of the World Federation of Music Therapy, and Managing Editor of the Music & Medicine Journal. I have served the Canadian Association of Music Therapists in the roles of President, Past-President, Internship Chair and currently as a task force member.
My main areas of interest include: music therapy and music psychotherapy in support of healthy aging, mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan; dementia care; relationship completion through music; singing for health; anxiety; music for sleep, relaxation and pain; vibroacoustic therapy, clinical internship and supervision and clinical assessment.
My current research projects include:
“Effect of Vibrotactile and Music Stimulation on Dementia”: A collaborative project with Dr. Lee Bartel, Susan Zorz, Danielle Nicholls at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
“An Explanatory Sequential Inquiry on Music Therapy and Performance Anxiety in University Music Education Majors.” I am the Primary Investigator for this study being conducted at the University of Toronto.
“Development and Applicability of a Standardized Music Therapy Assessment Tool: Pilot Investigation”: A collaborative study with Kensington Health, Taylor Kurta and Nadine Persaud.
“Scoping Review and Analysis of Singing in Palliative Care, Oncology and Bereavement Music Therapy”: A collaboration with Rebecca Wright. This review is focused on the following question: What does the literature and research acknowledge as the role of singing as a therapeutic intervention in music therapy sessions with adults in palliative care, oncology and bereavement settings?
“Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation and Alzheimer's Disease”: A collaborative series of research studies with Drs. Lee Bartel, Heidi Ahonen, Morris Freedman, Michael Evan & Dr. David Tang-Wai including the published pilot and a case study. Our team is continuing to explore Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation through additional case studies.
“Feasibility of Using Vibroacoustic Gamma Stimulation in Advanced Dementia Context”: A collaboration with Matthew McPhee, and Drs. Yael Goldberg, Morris Freedman & Lee Bartel.
"Understanding Group Singing in Older Adults from a Psychosocial Perspective": A collaboration with Dr. Frank Russo, Arla Good, and Francesca Copelli.
Awards
Grants
I am excited to interact with students who want to develop their research skills by assisting and collaborating with me on my research projects. Please send me an e-mail to connect.
I value supervising music therapy placements, and I meet the qualifications to provide music therapy as well as registered psychotherapy supervision. To date, I have provided over 3500 hours of clinical supervision to students at Wilfrid Laurier, the University of Toronto, University of Windsor, and in my private practice. I have developed a supervisor training course approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, and I am passionate about the topic, having conducted two studies on the music therapy internship experience.
At present I provide clinical supervision to music therapy students at Wilfrid Laurier University in both undergraduate and graduate levels.
You can find a number of my articles on the WLU Scholars Common Portal.
Solo Performance
Performance in Small Ensemble
Performance in Large Ensemble (Section Leader)
Involvement in Non Profit Music Performances
Every student brings their own unique contributions and creative gifts to their learning and subsequent entry into the profession of music therapy. I believe instructors have a privileged role as scholars and educators, and I love teaching and supervising at Wilfrid Laurier University. I endeavour to establish a learning environment that is safe, comfortable, positive and inclusive. Teaching is a collaboration, in which we learn from each other on the journey and leave the path more knowledgeable, having grown and transformed. Given the reputation of Laurier, I am honoured to share that I am contract academic faculty.
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