Bree Bartha

I am a qualifying practitioner at the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts with a focus in music-based movement and attention. My training is particularly relevant to people seeking support with movement timing, coordination, walking, or concentration following neurological injury. I welcome inquiries from individuals and families across the lifespan who are interested in using music to support functional goals and participation in daily life.

I hold a Master of Arts in Music and Health Sciences from the University of Toronto, with a Collaborative Specialization in Neuroscience, and an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from Wilfrid Laurier University, with a Minor in Psychology and a Concentration in Athletic Performance and Injury Management. My graduate studies combined music neuroscience, developmental neuropsychology, molecular and cellular neuroscience, music psychology, and clinical research. Under the academic supervision of Dr. Michael Thaut at the Music and Health Research Collaboratory, I completed advanced coursework examining the scientific foundations and clinical applications of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), including study of the Handbook of Neurologic Music Therapy.

My supervised clinical experience is in stroke rehabilitation. I planned and delivered Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), which uses rhythmic cues in walking rehabilitation, and Musical Attention Control Training (MACT), which uses structured musical exercises to practise focusing, maintaining attention, and responding to changing cues. I also assisted with Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE), which uses musical cues to guide functional movements, and Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance (TIMP), which uses purposefully arranged instrument playing to practise movement and coordination. My practicum research focused on attention following stroke.

My particular emphasis is the functional use of rhythm and music: selecting and adapting musical activities in relation to movement or attention goals. This focus complements LAMA's broader music therapy services. I approach each inquiry individually, considering the person's goals, needs, and the services appropriate within my qualifying role.

Alongside my academic and clinical training, I am a songwriter, recording artist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. I bring this musical experience together with an understanding of anatomy and movement to make participation engaging and personally meaningful. I will be completing my registration as a Registered Kinesiologist (RKin) with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (COKO) and obtaining my Neurologic Music Therapy Allied Professional (NMT-AP) designation upon fulfilling the Academy’s training and affiliation requirements, with NMT Institute training scheduled for December 2026.