My Story
Before becoming a music therapist, I led a dual life for over 15 years—by day, I was a physiotherapist helping individuals with chronic pain; by night, I was a jazz vocalist, performing on stage. This balance brought me joy, but as time passed, I realized I was evolving. As a physiotherapist, I observed how chronic pain often intertwined with personal trauma and emotional needs. At the same time, I faced significant personal challenges, and it was through music that I found the strength to fully recover.
Despite my sunny demeanour, I’ve overcome serious mental health challenges, including disordered eating, binge drinking, depression, and dysfunctional attachment patterns. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that recovery is possible, and I credit music as a powerful tool in my own journey. Growing up with adopted siblings from Haiti, I witnessed racial and identity-based challenges and experienced divorce, relocation, and leaving a religious community. These experiences have shaped my perspective and deepened my empathy.
Recognizing the powerful benefits of connecting healthcare and music, I found that music therapy was the perfect way to integrate my skills as a healthcare practitioner with my love for music. Now, I have the privilege of helping others harness music for their healing and personal growth.
My Education
For my first career as a physiotherapist, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy. I then completed a Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Voice and began performing. I also did private studies to learn to play guitar and piano. To pursue music therapy I relocated from Vancouver to Montreal and completed a Master’s in Creative Arts Therapies at Concordia University, focusing on Advanced Clinical Practice in Music Therapy. This program is recognized by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT).
In the masters program, I received a comprehensive overview of the research on how music can support psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. I also gained hands-on experience through over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical internship including counselling techniques and psychology approaches. I became a Certified Music Therapist by passing the Canadian Board of Music Therapists' exam and committing to the CAMT code of ethics. To stay current, I continue to pursue ongoing education in the field.
My Professional Experience
Music Therapist and Private Practice Owner
Kaleidoscope Music Therapy
Dec 2021 - present
Opening my private practice as a music therapist has been a dream come true. It warms my heart each time I see a client gain insight and deepen their love for music during our sessions.
In addition to working with clients one-on-one at my home office, I have had the pleasure of offering group services and workshops for the following organizations:
Mental Health Support Groups
The Black Community Resource Center of Montreal
Fall 2023, Spring 2024, ongoing
Led support groups of 3-6 members, each spanning 3-4 sessions, focusing on self-care, coping strategies, and emotional regulation. Activities included composition, dancing, singing, music listening, and group discussions.
Grief and Music Workshop
The Penticton Indian Band
April 2024
Conducted virtual music-based grief workshops for youth and adults, focusing on song sharing, community grief, and resilience. Each session facilitated discussions around shared experiences of loss and sources of emotional strength. This was in collaboration with South Okanagan Counselling.
Musical Life Review Presentation
The Unitarian Church of Montreal
January 2024
Invited as a guest speaker for a Sunday service at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, a diverse multi-faith community. Presented a 'Musical Life Review,' exploring how music contributes to personal meaning-making and evolves with life experiences and identity changes.
Music-Based Grief Support Groups
Good Grief Central
August 2020 - June 2022
Led over a dozen music-based grief support groups virtually with Good Grief Central during the pandemic. Groups included six weekly sessions for up to seven participants, ages 19 to 82. Sessions addressed grief over deaths due to COVID, violence, and suicide, exploring emotions and experiences through song.
Cancer Support Groups
West Island Cancer Wellness Center
September 2020 - May 2021
The first music therapy provider at WICWC during master’s internship, designed and led customized music-based cancer support groups, including Music for Pain Management, Anxiety, Therapeutic Songwriting, Life Reviews, and Reducing Social Isolation. Conducted in-person sessions at distance with COVID precautions, as well as virtual sessions.
My Other Careers
How they inspire and shape my Music Therapy practice.
Jazz Vocalist and Songwriter
My journey as a performer taught me the challenge of finding one’s creative voice, and how this is linked with self-love and authenticity in other aspects of life. I experienced how the music we choose to engage with impacts our wellness and reflects our needs and desires. The importance of music to my own well-being revealed to me its potential importance to others. I am now committed to helping others harness music for emotional resilience and personal growth.
Physiotherapy
In this profession, I witnessed and guided many individuals through their journey of managing physical conditions. I observed that some ailments can be fully recovered from, while others become lifelong challenges. It became clear to me that a person’s emotional experience profoundly influences their level of suffering. This insight inspired me to pursue music therapy, with the intention of improving the emotional well-being of my clients.
My Community
I am sincerely grateful for the ever-expanding community I’ve built through my collaborations with these wonderful organizations. If you’d like to learn more about the organizations I’ve worked with, you can visit their websites by clicking on their logos.
Additionally, I’ve included the professional organizations I am registered with. Thank you for your interest and support.
