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 including: geriatrics, adult psychiatry, palliative care, children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities and developmental delays, cognitive impairment, 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 Federation of Music Therapy and the International Congress on Palliative Care.

I have 27 peer reviewed journal publications, several book chapters, and have supervised over 35 music therapy internships, 30 undergraduate research studies, and 3 Masters students MRPs.

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 

• 2015, Values in Action Award, Baycrest Centre
• 2014, Outstanding Health Discipline Teaching Award, Baycrest Centre.
• 2013, Educator of Character, Character Community Foundation of York Region.

GRANTS

• Aug. 2015, Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)
• June 2014, Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)
• Sept. 2013, Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS), Student Research Assistant Grant ($4,000
• April. 2013, Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)

I am the President of the World Federation of Music Therapy, Managing Editor, Journal of Music and Medicine; a Past President, Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT) and Board Member for the Room 217 Foundation.

I am on the editorial review board of Austin Palliative, Journal of Music Therapy, Voices, Music Therapy Today, and Music Therapy Perspectives; and co-investigator in the AIRSSocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council project.

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 at Baycrest in Toronto and through my private practice, Notes By Amy.

• Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). "Clinical effects of choral singing for older adults." Music and Medicine, 7(4), 7-12.
• Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). "Singing for health, connection and care." Music and Medicine, 7(4), 13-23.
• Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). "Development and efficacy of music therapy techniques within palliative care." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.04.004
• Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). "A survey study of Pre-professionals’ understanding of the Canadian music therapy internship experience." Journal of Music Therapy, 52(2), 221-257.
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2013). Music as medicine for interdisciplinary team self care and stress management in palliative care, In C. L. McLean (Ed.). Creative Arts in Humane Medicine, Edmonton, Alberta: Brush.
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2013). Adults in palliative/hospice care, In J. Allen, (Ed.). Guidelines for Music Therapy Practice in Adult Medical Care (pp. 295-346). New Braunfels TX: Barcelona.
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2014). “Buddy’s Glee Club Two: Choral Singing Benefits for Older Adults”. Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, 20(1), 85-109.
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2013). “Burnout in music therapists: Work, individual, and social factors”. Music Therapy Perspectives, 31(2), 166-174.
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2013). "Buddy's Glee Club: Singing for Life," Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 37(4), 273-290, DOI: 10.1080/01924788.2013.845716
• Clements-Cortes, A. (2013). “Freeing the voice within”. Canadian Music Educators Journal, 55(1), 19-24.
• Clements-Cortes, (2013) A. “Healing water: Assessing trauma, abuse and loss via guided imagery and music”. Kavod Journal,(3). http://kavod.claimscon.org

• Honouring the Passage, Voices from Hospice Music Therapy & Beyond, Various Artists, CD Baby, 2014.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/carolynkoebel
• Buddy’s Glee Club: Growing Older, Singing Better, CD produced from Glee one research study participants in Adult Day Centre, Baycrest, Sept 2013.
• Soothing Relaxation Journeys, Original scripts and music, Sept. 2011.
• By The Shining Waters CD, Original songs and piano music composed in collaboration with  a palliative care music therapy client, June 2010.
• Episodes of Relationship Completion CD, May, 2009.

Solo Performance

• April 25, 2012, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, French & English Art Songs.
• Sept. 21, 2011, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, Jewish Folk Songs, Italian Art Songs.
• May 18, 2011, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, Jazz , Italian Art Songs.

Performance in Large Ensemble (Section Leader)

• May 20, 2011, New York, New York, Lincoln Centre, Mass Opus 1 by: Vijay Singh, Distinguished Concerts International.
• March 06, 2010, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Sacred Songs, Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
• January 19, 2009, New York, New York, Lincoln Centre, Stabat Mater by: Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
• March 16, 2008, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Mozart Mass in C Major, Distinguished Concerts International.
• January 21, 2008, New York,New York, Carnegie Hall, The Armed Man by: Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
• January 16, 2007, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Verdi Requiem, Pierre Perron Singers.

Involvement in Non Profit Music Performances

• Jan 2008-present, Member of DCINY, New York, New York.
• July 2007-present, Member Jonathan Griffith Singers, New York, New York.
• Mar.1995-present, Cantor and Music Director, Sacred Heart Church, Kitchener, Ontario.
• Oct 2006-June 2009, Member Opera York Chorus, York Region, Ontario.
• Nov 2005-Jan 2007, Member Pierre Perron Singers, Toronto, Ontario.

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.

• RP – Registered Psychotherapist, CRPO – April 2015
• NMT – Neurologic Music Therapist Certification – May 2013
• MT-BC – Music Therapist, Board Certified, CBMT – July 2012
• FAMI – Fellow, Association Music and Imagery – Feb. 2012
• CBMT – Approved Provider, Certification Board Music Therapy – Jan. 2011
• MTA – Music Therapist Accreditation – Dec. 2000