For Flag Day I chose to try something new with my groups involving flags from around the world.  It was a pleasant surprise to see how much each individual enjoyed this new twist on Flag Day and how eager they all were to learn something new. Each song that we did...

I recently gave birth to our first child.  As a music therapist I of course I had music going in the background during labor and delivery.  In fact, I had just finished my labor playlist for my iPod earlier in the week. Though I have no training in formal Music...

People often ask me how I can work in the hospice realm, when you know the relationship you start with a client will soon end in death.  I try to make the most of each moment with my clients, focusing on living the best we can in that moment. When faced with a...

One of the things I look forward to during Easter is the chance to color eggs. I’ve found that young children also enjoy talking about the paint involved in the traditional holiday activities. I find that this discussion can easily lead to a fun book called “Ain’t...

After viewing the movie trailer for The Music Never Stopped several weeks ago, I have been anxious to see the film which is based on the case study, “The Last Hippie”, by neurologist, Dr. Oliver Sachs, M.D.  Set in the 1980’s, Henry Sawyer (played by J.K. Simmons) is...

With the recent acceptance of West Music as a National Roster internship, I began thinking about what things music therapy students need to think about when choosing an internship site. Here are just a few. One consideration is location. Many students will pick a site...

Several music therapists who work for West Music Co. have been involved with the Iowa Music Therapy Task Force.  The members of the Iowa Task Force, currently made up of seven music therapists, have been working on finding the best way to advocate for music therapy...

Many of you are probably a fan of the author Jodi Picoult. I know I have read a few of her books and have found them to be amazing! Monday, March 7th, she will be releasing her latest book “Sing You Home.” The main character of the book is a music therapist! To learn...

For nearly eleven years, I have been associated with West Music Company from Coralville, Iowa. I remember how impressed I was when I first got on board here and read our mission statement: ENRICHING PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MUSIC At the time, I had no...

West Music is proud to introduce a program designed to meet the needs of children with autism and other special needs in Cedar Rapids/Marion area. This music therapy group will contain 3-4 children and meet 1 time a week to work on a variety of goal areas. Open to...

Would you like to hear a story that will warm your heart?   Recently this music therapist met a new hospice client, an elderly woman who is dealing with advanced dementia.   When her daughter answered the door she directed me to go upstairs where her mother was...