When the family first arrived at BC Children’s from Castlegar for testing in October 2023, Jesse and Janelle didn’t realize their family would be staying at the hospital and Ronald McDonald House for the next nine months. “We packed for four days,” said Janelle. “We thought we were just going for scans. It is only recently this summer that we’ve been able to go back home as a family.” Through that time, music therapy was a very important part in Nova’s life. “It was always special when Erin, the music therapist, came into the room to sing with Nova,” Jesse explained. “It is significant when something brings happiness to days that are otherwise hard.”

One of the first things Nova wanted to do when she was able to leave her bed was play the piano. “At the time, she couldn’t quite sit up, and she was using a wheelchair that allowed her to lean back,” said Janelle. “She was so tired, so quiet, but then she went into the music room, straight to the piano, and just started playing.” “It’s really fun playing piano for nurses and doctors,” Nova says.
Nova and her family continue to visit BC Children’s while Nova receives active treatment. These days Nova can be found recording music mixes and playing on the ukelele, while her sister Mady tries out the drums.

"Having that ability to express themselves is something that every child should have at hospital,” Janelle, Nova's mom said. “Music is a big part of our lives back home. We are all so grateful that Nova could keep having music in her life.”

BC Children’s music therapists may sit in a patient room with a child and their family, be there to help distract and calm a small child during a medical procedure, or help guide a child or teen around the instruments in the music room. In many of these opportunities, family members are welcome and benefit from a shared experience of music. In one music therapist, Carol’s, own words, “It’s often music that will bring a glimmer of a smile, a recognition in the eyes—that deep breath, and comfort. I’ve had parents say to me that this is the first time they have seen their child be the person they know and recognize at the hospital.”

Music therapists are integral members of health care teams at BC Children’s Hospital, bringing connection to kids while reducing anxiety and pain through thoughtful and compassionate therapeutic intervention. By understanding a child’s unique needs, and making a personal, trusting connection through music, a music therapist can meaningfully contribute to a child’s well-being during their time at hospital.

Carolina and Rishi reflect that in addition to music therapy being incredibly special for Leandro, it was also healing for them. They had no idea that this program would impact them as much as it did. Even now, as Leandro is preparing for his departure from the NICU, the family says they will continue to use music as a way to recover and heal as they transition home. ⁠
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The family said that "Music Heals" is the perfect name for a charity that provides funding for the music therapy program at BC Women's NICU - "healing families and babies through music." they shared.⁠

Music therapy is a unique, family-integrated approach that can provide therapeutic support to the whole family including parents, siblings, and extended family during the session with their infant. This is a key benefit of offering family-centred music therapy at the BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre NICU. An added benefit, we hear from our NICU staff, is the vicarious benefits for staff in acute care settings providing life-saving care and emotional support to infants and families.

The incorporation of music by a certified music therapist in our programs has proven exceptionally effective in engaging our residents, particularly those diagnosed with dementia. Music serves as a distinct medium that can stimulate the brain, unlocking dormant memories or abilities. Many of our music therapy groups have successfully rekindled participation among withdrawn residents who may have struggled to focus previously.

Moreover, music carries profound emotional resonance for many individuals. Its integration into our sessions provides residents with a safe and nurturing environment to express themselves, release emotions, and even experience catharsis. Through the power of music, residents can embark on a transformative journey, connecting with their inner selves and fostering a sense of well-being.

Neurologic music therapy sessions were offered including adaptive instrument playing. The Hand Chime Choir continued with great success and growing interest from residents. The hand chime choir is tailored primarily for mid-high functioning residents. While group members enjoy the advantage of practicing their gross and fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination, the program continues to bring them a sense of belonging as well. With this writer’s background from Hong Kong, Chinese residents have also been able to enjoy music therapy sessions that include singing old Chinese classics. They are able to feel more included in music therapy sessions that are no longer only provided in English and the language has fostered a deeper connection between residents, family members and therapist. With the Music Heals funding, there is a hope for a Chinese music therapy group in the future, to connect the Chinese residents in the facility and offer them a greater sense of community.

Dan is a Deaf client. During the first few times of meeting him, the music therapist noticed he was quiet and observed from a distance, but each time the music therapist went in, he came a little closer to the group. The music therapist approached him in the third session with a djembe drum. The music therapist sat in front of him and played a simple pattern. She then prompted him to play, and he played the djembe once and gave a thumbs up. The music therapist then prompted him to place his hands on various parts of the drum. The music therapist played a variety of rhythms on the drum, and she noticed him move his hands to different spots to feel the vibrations and textures of the instrument. Ever since that day, she brought in a variety of percussion instruments. The instruments became a method of communication and a way for us to build rapport.

One of the instruments that Dan seemed more interested in was the steel tongue drum. The steel tongue drum can be played with a mallet or by tapping/knocking with the various parts of the hand. It not only creates a beautiful sound but also provides a variety of vibrations. One of the approaches in the sessions utilizes the vibrations of music.

For example, Dan places his hands on the instrument or on the table when experiencing the music, and he perceives both vibrations and the acoustical sound of the instrument. He can feel and sense the musical tones and vibrations being played at that particular moment in the environment. After the music therapy experience, Dan appeared more relaxed and grounded. He concentrated on the music, appearing to have less agitation in his mind and body. Dan also engaged in musical improvisation on instruments like the tongue drum and guitar. The music therapist and Dan have also engaged in call and response, musical interplay, and improvisation. There were opportunities for Dan to be playful, creative, and validated when working together to create music.

By utilizing music in a therapeutic context, the program offers familiarity, security, and predictability, which is particularly valuable in settings where patients may otherwise experience a lack of control or safety. The program has led to increased positive coping skills, stress relief, relaxation, enhanced self-esteem, and empowerment. It provides a safe space for exploration and self-expression, supports patient readiness for treatment, and fosters self-acceptance. Additionally, it aids in behavioural activation, improves social and communication skills, offers cognitive stimulation, helps with mood regulation, and decreases isolation and loneliness.
The program also promotes healthy group cohesion and interpersonal effectiveness. For many patients, music therapy serves as a crucial therapeutic bridge, filling gaps and addressing barriers in their overall treatment. Importantly, no prior experience with music is required. The goal when working with individuals who consider themselves non-musical is to facilitate a contained, safe space where they can express themselves without the pressures of having to be “musical.”

In 2024, Louis Brier was able to expand the Music Therapy program thanks to the funding from Music Heals. This funding allowed them to broaden their reach and continue to enhance quality of life, and offer more services to their residents. They extended their individualized music therapy sessions to more residents, providing more intimate and therapeutic experiences. Additionally, they continued to offer group music therapy sessions, enabling greater participation across the facility. These sessions included Drum Circle, Movement to Music, Music Jeopardy, Reminiscence & Sing Along and Melody Makers.
The new program they recently developed was the Relaxation & Meditation Music Therapy sessions, held in their newly built Multi-Sensory Room. This space has allowed them to introduce relaxation interventions, further enhancing the therapeutic experience and promoting deeper relaxation for our residents.

Lexi would have been 11 this year. This cherished little girl with a ‘gigantic personality’ unexpectedly died at just six years old from complications of Blau Syndrome – a rare genetic disease that doctors failed to treat adequately. Her brother, mom and dad were left struggling in their trauma with nowhere to turn.

Felix was just nine when his sister died. On the outside, he was determined to stay strong for his parents, Cheryl-Lynn and Troy. On the inside, he was awash in grief. Unaddressed grief or lack of support puts kids at increased risk of depression, self-harm, substance use disorders and more.

However, there is hope when they do get the support they need: through community support, and innovative evidence-based care like music therapy. This made all the difference for Felix, Cheryl-Lynn and Troy after they lost Lexi.

After years of struggling to find scarce support, the family found Camp Kerry. Canada’s first family bereavement retreat gave Felix and his parents a place to connect, grieve and heal as a family. “It was a critical discovery,” says Felix’s mom Cheryl- Lynn. “Felix was so worried about protecting us that he would never
share what he was really feeling. The songwriting sessions at Camp Kerry were one of the best things we could have done for him.”

The team at Lumara understands that profound losses can rarely be articulated through words alone. Through Lumara’s music therapy programs, participants are given the opportunity to access non-verbal modalities to help them express the wide range of intense emotions that grieving brings. Particularly when working with children and youth, they engage them in peer group settings and use the power of nature, music, and other expressive arts to help them process and make sense of their grief.

Harprit Gill gave birth to her twins prematurely at 29 weeks via an emergency C-section at Surrey Memorial Hospital. When the babies were 34 weeks, they had their first Music Therapy session. While mom held the babies, Music Therapist, Katherine Deane, provided soothing lullabies as well as guiding mom through musically supported relaxation and breathing.

From the beginning, Harp found the sessions reduced the stress related to her traumatic birth and lowered her anxiety. “It helped my mental health as a new mom of twins and created a safe and comforting environment to be in. It gave me reassurance knowing if I was having an off day that Music Therapy is there to help with my emotions.”, said Harp. The babies also responded to the music and the calm atmosphere it provided. Harp could see that, “both my babies would calm down and go into a relaxed zone” when they participated in music therapy. Harp agrees that Music Therapy was an important part of her stay at the hospital. She says, “As a new parent who has no music experience, I was utterly humbled to learn the power of music therapy, not only for new parents but also for my new babies.”

Sarah, a 38-year-old woman, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident two years ago. Before her injury, she was an accomplished guitarist and music teacher, deeply passionate about music. However, after her accident, Sarah struggled with severe memory loss, difficulty in motor coordination, and a deep sense of loss over her diminished ability to play the guitar. She also experienced significant depression and anxiety as a result of her injury.

When Sarah first joined our Music Therapy program, she was hesitant and unsure if she could reconnect with music in a meaningful way. Our music therapist worked closely with her to gradually reintroduce her to the guitar through adaptive techniques tailored to her current abilities. Over time, Sarah began to regain some of her motor skills and, more importantly, rediscovered her emotional connection to music. The sessions not only helped her physically but also provided a safe space for emotional expression, where she could process the grief and frustration of her injury.

A turning point came when Sarah performed a simple piece in front of a small group of fellow clients. This was her first performance since her accident, and it marked a significant milestone in her recovery. The positive feedback and support she received from her peers and the staff boosted her confidence tremendously. Since then, Sarah has become more engaged in the program, even assisting in sessions by sharing her musical knowledge with others.

Sarah's story is a testament to the transformative power of music therapy. The program not only helped her regain some of her lost abilities but also provided her with a renewed sense of purpose and connection. Her journey is just one example of how our Music Therapy program is making a tangible difference in the lives of
brain injury survivors.

B, a 74-year-old with a Cancer diagnosis, was a patient in the residential palliative care unit at the hospice. In the first part of his journey there, B had challenges making connections with various members of the health team. His behaviours often included verbal abuse towards the nurses and care staff, his family, and an unwillingness to acknowledge or talk about his impending death. Despite this, B immediately accepted the invitation to participate in music therapy.
Over the course of twelve sessions, B accessed a softer, more spiritual side of himself, and would sing or play instruments with his eyes closed, swaying in a state of bliss. This softening translated to other areas in his life, including his family, helping to bring resolution and closure to their relationships with him. Music therapy played a role in B’s increasing readiness to address his death, through working with metaphors and imagery in the music. Music therapy also proved very effective for reducing B’s physical pain and he would report “the music is magic” and “the music fixes everything”. And he’s right, the music is magic.

Music Therapy has been an opening for accessing patients who are withdrawn, or
not ready to look at hard realities at the end of life. In its non-threatening and at times, indirect way, Music Therapy inherently allows patients to touch the untouchable. It gives them opportunities to express their emotions and increases coping strategies for patients with fear and anxiety. On multiple occasions, Music Therapy has given patients a safe holding space to pass away during sessions. It has overall helped contribute to improved pain and symptom management in patient care.

Grant was admitted to the St. Paul’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following complications from a respiratory virus (made more challenging because of Grant’s progressive muscle disorder), resulting in Grant needing a tracheostomy to help him breathe. Despite a successful surgery, Grant’s muscle disorder had progressed and he was having trouble moving and swallowing. It was then that the ICU referred Grant to the Palliative Outreach Consult Team nurse, Michelle Orr. Michelle began to visit Grant in the ICU and could see that Grant was extremely sick. She knew that he needed more than medical interventions could provide, and suggested he might be interested in music therapy. Grant agreed to meet with the music therapist, and Michelle arranged for Joshua Denny-Keys to visit Grant in the ICU.

Much to Josh’s surprise, Grant had a list of songs and artists he liked already at the ready, and with the help of his daughter was able to request specific songs throughout the very first session. Grant’s eclectic taste in music had Josh playing songs like “Fernando” by ABBA, “Africa” by Toto, and even “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley. During each song, Grant would sing or mouth along to the words, with family at his side. As the session continued, he started making jokes, laughing, and smiling.

Michelle recalls from that first session: “When Josh played for Grant the first time it was like I could see Grant come alive, even though he was so, so sick. For Grant, it was a moment where he could focus on something else other than his sickness, his future, and the difficult decisions he had to make. He could just be in the moment – the smile on his face, the calmness in the room – all in the midst what he was going through, I saw Grant come alive through the music.

Music therapy completely changed that room. It was him. His wife. His daughters. It was the staff, too. It was a real human connection that was made there. The music helped connect to Grant’s humanity. And that’s what I think back to and feel so grateful we were able to provide that opportunity through music therapy.” – Michelle Orr, Palliative Outreach Consult Nurse

Grant has since been moved from the ICU to the Palliative Care Unit on 10D, where Josh continues to support Grant and his family with music therapy sessions. Through songs such as “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon, “Desperado” by the Eagles, and “Every Time You Go Away” by Paul Young, Grant has been able to spend meaningful time with his family, focusing on living well during the time he has.

This is only possible because of support from Music Heals. We are tremendously grateful for your ongoing generosity, which helps patients like Grant and his family when they need it most.

The music therapy program at Saint James Music Academy supports at-risk children and youth within Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community. Over 90% live in homes subsisting below LICO standards, e.g. extreme socio-economic hardship. Many live in single-parent or caregiver homes, are also new to Canada, have experiences with trauma or poor mental health, reside in foster care, belong to low-income families, and struggle to engage in traditional classroom environments. While economic hardship is a near singular theme, SJMA students comprise a rich and diverse mix of ethnicity, culture, and language.

Saint James Music Academy's mission is “to create a community of learning where children and youth are inspired by the challenges and joys of making music together.”

The music therapy program at Saint James Music Academy focuses on children who need extra support, including those with learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, or a history of trauma. Music therapists provide individualized support to students with disabilities, developmental delays, or behavioural challenges, including, but not limited to, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, FAS, anxiety, depression, etc. Students are served individually or in small groups, and music therapists provide additional guidance to students in large classes by supporting the independent practice of generalizing skills learned in music therapy in other educational settings.

Tanya, 32, has been a PASS participant since 2016 and thrives in creative activities, including her job at Blaze Burger, volunteering at Stanley Park, and Social Enterprise projects. While she loves music, group sessions have often been overwhelming for her, leading to disengagement and occasional disruptive behaviour.

In January 2024, Tanya began receiving individualized music therapy, to help her feel more comfortable and expressive. Tanya has thrived since this shift, and her journey highlights the value of personalized interventions based on the unique needs of participants.