BGC Camrose will not be offering Music Matters in our 2024 – 2025 program year. Feel free to check out the Music Matters Website for events and bookings.

Bios for Kevin and Leanne

About Music Therapy

Music therapy is designed to assess, treat, and evaluate individuals of varying ages, backgrounds, and needs. To accomplish specified goals in a music therapy session, music therapists will prepare interventions within one of four broad intervention categories, which include receptive, re-creation, improvisation, and composition/songwriting. These methods, combined with targeting individualized goals, render music therapists specialized and unique from other musical disciplines.

Depending on your or group needs, a music therapist will determine which type of intervention will be most effective. Below is a comprehensive overview of the four different methods, as well as rationale for facilitation.

Receptive

Listen to music and respond to the experience silently, verbally, or in another modality (eg. art, dance). The music used may be live, or a recording. Some types of receptive approaches may include music-assisted relaxation, as well as the use of music and imagery. Goals may encompass several areas, including:

  • promoting stimulation or relaxation
  • facilitating memory or reminiscence
  • developing auditory skills
  • enhancing mood and reducing anxiety
Re-creation

A music-centered approach in which you are encouraged to play or sing along to a pre-composed song in a manner that supports identified goals. Re-creation may involve singing familiar or new songs, or playing various instruments depending on your abilities and objectives. This can be a fun and engaging way to achieve goals through music making, which may include:

  • strengthening gross / fine motor skills
  • promoting social interaction and turn taking
  • encouraging the use of one side of the body
  • fostering self-expression through instrument playing or singing
Improvisation

Involves spontaneous music making using simple instruments, body percussion, or the voice. This type of intervention requires the therapist to hear and interpret, and ultimately respond to your playing or mood. Some goals related to this category of intervention may include:

  • facilitate expression and communication through music, especially when verbal communication is limited or less comfortable!
  • increase freedom and the ability to make choices
  • develop the capacity for relationship-building with another individual through music
Composition / Songwriting

A process whereby the therapist supports you in creating their own music or lyrics. These creations may be recorded or performed thereafter. Some goals that may be achieved through composition or songwriting may be:

  • validating experiences / legacy work
  • externalizing thoughts or emotions
  • promoting an alternative manner of expression
  • fostering creativity

About Authentic Voice

Music is unique among in arts and recreational activities because of its therapeutic qualities. It is among the best therapies for healing emotional trauma. Many musicians attest to the ability of music to get them through difficult times in their lives and support when little else would. Music has other assets such as collaboration and integration which helps when dealing with depression and other mental health issues. Singing in particular is a fantastic activity which promotes both mental and physical health. It uses body awareness and breathing techniques which release toxins and oxygenate the cells.

Authentic voice instruction

Body awareness, Breath and Vocal training:

  • Discover and develop your unique sound
  • Learn to express, phrase and emote
  • Create special interpretations of your favourite songs or your amazing originals
  • Learn how to use a microphone properly and how to move on stage

Vocal training can be matched with other instruments and tailored to suit accompanying yourself  on your specific instrument.

 Outcomes from authentic voice training
  • Find your voice
  • Learn to express yourself
  • Open your heart and awareness
  • Weave connections
  • Energize your body
  • Resonate joy
  • Sing your soul song

For more information check out the Music Matters Website.