Academic Background

Biography

Elizabeth Mitchell holds a Master of Music Therapy from WLU, and a Bachelor of Music, Honours Music Education, from the University of Western Ontario, where she studied piano and voice.  A recipient of the University of Western Ontario’s Gold Medal for Music Education, as well as the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, she also holds an ARCT in Piano Performance.  Currently employed in Waterloo as a music therapist, Liz’s clinical work focuses upon adolescents with mental health issues.  She also maintains a private voice and piano studio, and is passionate about choral art.

Academic Interests

Liz’s research interests pertain to the connections between the fields of music therapy and music education.  A recent study examined the phenomenon of “therapeutic music education”, educators’ philosophies and students’ experiences of music education that closely parallel the therapeutic awareness and processes of music therapy settings. 

Recent Scholarly Activities

Canadian Association of Music Therapy Conference: May 2009, Ottawa, ON
Presentation:  “Realizing Potential: “Finding one’s Voice” through Music Education and Music Therapy”

Nordic Music Therapy Conference: April 2009, Aalborg, DK
Presentation: “Therapeutic Music Education: An Emerging Model”

Laurier Centre for Music Therapy Research Conference: June 2008, Waterloo, ON
Presentation: “Therapeutic Music Education: An Emerging Model”