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.
Send Me Information
Show Me the Campus
Explore Our Programs
I began my career as a music therapist, performer and vocal teacher, receiving my masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto.
My extensive clinical experience involves working with a variety of clients across the lifespan including: long-term care, adult psychiatry, palliative care, children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities and developmental delays, dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, etcetera. I have worked both in hospitals and nursing homes, including 19 years at Baycrest Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
I have given over 100 conference and/or invited academic presentations around the globe at such venues as the World Congresses of Music Therapy and the International Congresses on Palliative Care.
I have written 35 peer reviewed journal publications, several book chapters, and released my co-authored book "Voices of the Dying and Bereaved, Music Therapy Narratives" in 2016.
I have supervised over 75 music therapy internships, and 35 undergraduate and graduate research studies.
I founded Notes by Amy in 1995, which provides a variety of professional services including: private music therapy, psychotherapy, and guided imagery and music sessions; clinical music therapy supervision and mentoring; music therapy courses; and research collaboration.
My main areas of interest include: music therapy; successful, healthy aging and wellbeing across the lifespan; dementia and mental health support; arts in healthcare; relationship completion; singing for health; anxiety; burnout; music for sleep, relaxation and pain; music and technology; vibroacoustic therapy, clinical internship and supervision.
Current research projects include: Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation and AD; and Use of Voice in Palliative Care.
AWARDS
GRANTS
I am the past-president of the World Federation of Music Therapy, Managing Editor, Journal of Music and Medicine; and a past-president, Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT) I am on the editorial review boards of Arts in Psychotherapy, Journal of Alzheimer's disease, CRESSCO Journal of Alternative and Integrative Medicine, Journal of Palliative Care and Pain Management, Global Journal of Health Science, Austin Palliative, Journal of Music Therapy, Voices, Music Therapy Today and Music Therapy Perspectives.
I am always looking for students who might want to develop their research skills by volunteering to work with me on my research projects.
At present I also provide clinical supervision for internships in KW, Toronto and through my private practice, Notes By Amy.
Solo Performance
Performance in Large Ensemble (Section Leader)
Involvement in Non Profit Music Performances
I believe that every student brings their own unique contribution and creative gifts to their learning and eventual entry into the field of music therapy. As music therapists, we take a moral responsibility to understand the unique needs of clients and then provide the finest quality music we can to fulfill these needs. My developing theory of aesthetic music therapy promotes the view that music itself is the core of the therapeutic process. The inspiration of and quality of music making is paramount and the emotional truths created through clinical composition and improvisation provides a space for clients to discover their full potential. Laurier is unique as it is the only music therapy program in Canada that offers an undergraduate and graduate degree as well as an internationally recognized research centre. At Laurier, research and practice go hand-in-hand to provide one of the most innovative and established academic centers in Canada.
We see you are accessing our website on IE8. We recommend you view in Chrome, Safari, Firefox or IE9+ instead.
Ã