“Older models of medical care where things were very focused on the body alone are insufficient in tackling the complex issues that people are living with now – the mind and body issues.  It is important to differentiate between music and music therapy – that it’s not just playing music, it’s not just entertainment, it’s not just distraction – although that’s one aspect.  There’s a therapeutic aspect as well. It’s emerging and clearly becoming important.

- Dr. Stephen Liben, Director of Pediatric Palliative Care
Montreal Chilren’s Hospital, McGill University

Through the efforts of a few, many are being helped through music.  Find out about these remarkable people who have made music therapy happen.

FOUNDERS

Bernadette Kutarna, Doug Ramsay, Susan Summers, and Colleen Purdon

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wanda Gascho-White, Chair
Wanda Gascho-White has worked as an accredited music therapist for over 20 years.  She is the music therapy department head at Zareinu Educational Centre, a school and therapy centre for children with special needs in Thornhill, ON.  Throughout her career as a music therapist, Wanda has been dedicated to the development of the profession of music therapy in Canada.  She is past-president of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and has served as a board member or committee member in that association for many years.  Wanda joined the CMTTF in 2005 and currently holds the position of Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Fran Herman, Past-chair
Fran Herman has been a pioneer of music therapy in Canada since 1955. She is also a childcare specialist who has worked with children who are physically and/or developmentally challenged.  She has served as president of OMTA, CAMT, and in 1995 took over as chairperson of CMTTF.  She has co-authored two books, Accentuate the Positive and Creatability; created and directed the Wheelchair Players;and mobilized the Canadian music industry to help support music therapy across the country. Most recently she was honoured by the Music Industry Association of Canada with its inaugural MIAC Award for her outstanding work.

Jennifer Buchanan
Jennifer is the founder and senior music therapist of JB Music Therapy. Jennifer believes that all persons can experience music in a meaningful way. Jennifer is Past-President of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy, a session instructor at the University of Calgary and has presented at many regional and national conferences. Her efforts have been recognized in such magazines as Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Kids in Motion as well as on CBC Radio.

Laurel Young, MMT, FAMI, PhD
Laurel completed her Bachelor of Music in piano (1990) at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.  Her Bachelor of Music Therapy (1994) and Master of Music Therapy (2003) degrees were completed at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario where she also worked as a part time faculty member for three years.  She   completed her PhD through Temple University in Philadelphia.

Doug Ramsay
Doug holds a Master’s degree with a specialization in music therapy from the University of Kansas (1982). He was employed full-time as a music therapist from 1982 until 2006 and worked in adult psychiatry, long-term care and children’s rehabilitation programs.  He has conducted research in music therapy and stroke rehabilitation and in the use of innovative technology, movement and music (‘Cool Moves’ Project). Doug served as an executive board member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT) from 1985 – 93 and was the President (1991 – 93) during which time CAMT established the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund.  He has served on the Trust Fund board since its inception. Doug is currently employed as the Population Health Promotion Coordinator for Mental Health & Addiction Services in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. 

Debbie Carroll, Ph.D, MTA  

Debbie has been active in the field of music therapy since completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy from the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSMT) in 1977.  She also holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance (1973), Master of Music (1996) and Ph.D. in Education (2007), all from McGill University.  Debbie has been a music therapy professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal since 1986, and has had extensive clinical experience in special education and child/adolescent psychiatry. Her research interests include the role of music in developing expressive language of children with Down syndrome and children’s intuitive musical understandings. Debbie has presented her work at national and international conferences. In 2009, she was awarded a lifetime membership from the Canadian Association for Music Therapy in recognition for her work. Debbie has been a CMTTF board member since December 2009 and holds the position of Grants Coordinator.   

STAFF

Dr. Laurel Young, MMT, FAMI, Ph.D., MTA | Clinical Manager

Laurel completed her Bachelor of Music in piano (1990) at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.  Her Bachelor of Music Therapy (1994) and Master of Music Therapy (2003) degrees were completed at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario where she also worked as a part time faculty member for three years.  She is currently completing her PhD through Temple University in Philadelphia.

Jodi Greenwood, BEd, BMus, BAPsyc, MTA | Centre Manager 

After 7 years of teaching music and special education in Toronto District School Board, Jodi completed her music therapy training at Edinburgh’s Nordoff-Robbins post-graduate programme.  Jodi interned at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health before commencing employment at Humewood House, Etobicoke Children’s Centre, Music Matters, and now the Music Therapy Centre.  Aside from teaching and music therapy, two children at home keep life active and interesting for Jodi.

Chrissy Pearson, BMT, MTA | Fundraising and Public Relations 

Chrissy received her Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy from the University of Windsor in 2002.  She completed her internship at Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre in Aging and Veterans Care.  She has worked in various settings including long-term care, adult group homes, hospital acute care, public schools, community groups, and in a women’s centre with children who have witnessed and/or experienced violence in their families.  One of her proudest accomplishments was receiving a teaching and supervision award while working at Sunnybrook Hospital.  Chrissy is an active committee member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and is currently continuing her role as President of the Music Therapy Association of Manitoba from a distance.  She is thrilled to be back in Toronto and to be joining the music therapy team at the Music Therapy Centre!

Christine Lever | Administrative Assistant
Christine has an extensive background working and volunteering with individuals with a variety of disabilities, special needs students, seniors and animals.  Her educational background is philosophy and she has recently completed a certificate course in gerontology from Ryerson University.  Christine thoroughly enjoys working at the Music Therapy Centre for both the CMTTF and the MTC.

Tammy Ko, BMT

Tammy has been in the field of music therapy since 2005.  She graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2004 and fulfilled her internship hours at Sunnybrook Women's Health Sciences Centre and Bloorview Kids Rehab (formerly known as Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre).

Since her internship, Tammy has worked with a broad client population including work with the elderly and dementia; children with developmental delay, Down Syndrome, Autism, and physical disabilities; young adults with physical disabilities and intellectual delay.

Emily Hashmani, MTA
Emily is a graduate of the Wilfrid Laurier University music therapy program and is an Accredited Music Therapist. She has been part of the Music Therapy Centre since 2006, and has so far enjoyed work with children, teens, and older adults with diagnoses such as Dementia, Down’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, both at the Centre and in respite care and group home settings. She believes music therapy to be a gratifying and meaningful form of creative self-expression (for both client and therapist!), and strives for a balance of light-heartedness, patience, and gentle encouragement in her approach.

Erin Borczon, BMT, MTA
Erin is a graduate of the Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University. After completing her degree, she interned at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Music Therapy Centre to gain her accreditation. Erin spent the last four years working full time in Calgary, and has recently returned to Toronto, and to the Music Therapy Centre. Erin is currently the chair of Public Relations for the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT), and is a certified internship supervisor.

Jennifer Bucci, MTA
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s bachelor of music therapy program, and has been accredited with the Canadian Association for Music Therapy since 2008. After completing her internship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, she joined the team at Zareinu Educational Centre, where she continues to be involved in the care and treatment of children and adolescents with special needs. Jennifer also enjoys working with older adults, and has held contract positions at several long-term care facilities in Toronto and the surrounding area. Jennifer is thrilled to be beginning her journey with the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund and Music Therapy Centre, and feels fortunate to appear in the company of such highly regarded and accomplished therapists.  

Kathleen Power, BMT-MTA
Kathleen completed her Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy in 1993 at Wilfird Laurier University.  Since this time, Kathleen was the founding Music Therapist at Giant Steps Toronto, a School and Therapy Centre for children with neuro-integrative disorders.  Kathleen has also worked in various health care environments, including St.Joseph's Health Care Centre in Toronto, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences.  When not practicing Music Therapy, Kathleen can be found balanced on a yoga mat, or energetically entertaining her two spirited daughters.