Harmony In Dementia

Harmony In Dementia Music Therapy Services 🎵
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đź“š Certification Series đź“šWhen I lead trainings, one of the frequently asked questions is about the alphabet soup after my...
07/30/2026

đź“š Certification Series đź“š

When I lead trainings, one of the frequently asked questions is about the alphabet soup after my name 🤔.

Today I’m starting with my Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certification.

When I returned to private practice full time, I wanted to refresh my dementia care knowledge. Even though I had completed many trainings over the years, I wanted a certification that was widely recognized in the dementia care field.

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) seminar, which is the prerequisite for becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), strengthened my knowledge in person-centered care, supporting care partners, responding to distress and mood changes, and creating more supportive environments for people living with dementia.

These photos are from the in-person ADDC seminar I attended in Denver in 2022. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners National Council Of Certified Dementia Practitioners provides specialized dementia education and certifications, and this experience was a valuable part of my professional journey.

If you’re looking to expand your dementia care knowledge, check out nccdp.org.

07/29/2026

What a joy to do something a little different from my usual music therapy offerings! 🥰

I recently returned to collaborate with Cameron Art Museum Connections program. An initiative that invites people living with dementia and their carers to experience the museum in a calm, private setting while it’s closed to the public. 🖼️

They typically invite musicians to play and I was back with my guitar, hand pan drum, steel tongue drums, and rain sticks to offer spontaneous music-making while immersed in art. ✨

In this clip, you’ll hear some of that in the audio, my hand pan playing and inviting others to join in. 🎵

Programs like this are such a gift to Wilmington, and I’m grateful to be part of it. 💜


This summer, one of my Creative Aging practicum organizations was the Utah Creative Aging Coalition . It has been such a...
07/26/2026

This summer, one of my Creative Aging practicum organizations was the Utah Creative Aging Coalition . It has been such a rewarding experience to support their work behind the scenes by helping create a long-term care database to connect with organizations across Utah, developing a teaching artist database, and attending board meetings as the team prepared for this year’s Kaleidoscope Festival.

I’m especially excited that I’ll be attending the Kaleidoscope Festival Kick-Off Event in person on August 22 in the Salt Lake City area! It will be wonderful to experience everything UCAC has been working toward and celebrate the power of creativity and aging.

The Kaleidoscope Festival is a month-long celebration of creative aging that encourages organizations throughout Utah to offer creative arts experiences for older adults while bringing the community together through the kick-off event.

Last year’s impact was incredible:
🎨 523 people attended the kick-off event.

🎨 39 free creative aging classes were offered throughout the month.

🎨 94% of older adult participants said the classes were engaging.

🎨 50 older adults showcased their artwork during the kick-off event.

🎨 Participants represented 9 different Utah counties.

If you know someone in Utah who is passionate about older adults, the arts, or community programming, please share this opportunity with them. And if you’re interested in creative aging, be sure to check out the Utah Creative Aging Coalition to learn more about the amazing work they’re doing.

⬇️
https://utahcreativeaging.org/about-kaleidoscope/

07/23/2026

Earlier today, I came across several photos from this past spring semester. It was busy , full, exciting, and challenging all at the same time.

Looking back at these pictures, I’m proud of the time and effort I put into these classes to expand my knowledge and become more comfortable with research as I prepare for my final graduate project this year.

It’s a good reminder that I can do hard things, especially as I get ready for another full semester this fall.

What’s something you’ve accomplished recently that reminded you you’re capable of doing hard things?

Senior living is a small, connected world. No matter what city you’re in, professionals often move from one community to...
07/22/2026

Senior living is a small, connected world. No matter what city you’re in, professionals often move from one community to another.

One of my favorite parts of this work is reconnecting with people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside over the years.

Recently, I walked into a community and was greeted with a huge smile and a hug from an activity professional. “I’m so happy you’re here working with our residents!”

Moments like these remind me that this work is about more than music. It’s about the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the shared commitment to creating meaningful moments for people living with dementia.

To my fellow activities professionals, thank you for all you do. I always love seeing familiar faces in new places. đź’ś

07/19/2026

Me preparing for my Netflix documentary on changing the way the world sees people living with dementia…one song at a time.

Music has the power to bridge the gap. It creates opportunities for people living with dementia to express emotions, learn new skills, connect with others, and find meaning and purpose.

07/08/2026

I’m excited to be returning to the Cameron Art Museum Connections program, a creative experience for people living with the early stages of dementia and their care partners.

Before each program, I love stopping by the museum to explore the exhibits so I can choose songs inspired by the artwork.

This time, the galleries are interactive, imaginative, whimsical, and full of surprises.

Each space sparked excitement and creativity, and I can’t wait to connect through music and art next week!

A big shout-out and thank you to Nikki at Heart and Harmony Music Therapy for inviting me to speak with her music therap...
06/29/2026

A big shout-out and thank you to Nikki at Heart and Harmony Music Therapy for inviting me to speak with her music therapy team about ageism and music therapy.

I am passionate about raising awareness about ageism and, specifically, how it impacts our work as professionals, both in how we view ourselves and in how we work with clients across the lifespan.

I appreciated all of the thoughtful and insightful discussion, but one comment has really stayed with me: how misogyny can often intersect with ageism. Women and femme-presenting people frequently face additional pressure and expectations around appearance, including how they should look and age.

We need to be having more of these conversations because they challenge our assumptions and ultimately make us better people and better therapists.

I am a little over halfway through my Creative Aging practicum for my master’s degree in Gerontology UNCW College of Hea...
06/25/2026

I am a little over halfway through my Creative Aging practicum for my master’s degree in Gerontology UNCW College of Health & Human Services , and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with some incredible organizations.

This past spring, I knew I wanted to deepen my knowledge of creative aging and social prescribing. Thanks to my professor’s support, I was able to design a practicum centered on these interests.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily and her team at Jewish Family Service Utah , where I have supported virtual art classes, caregiver support groups, grant writing and assisted with the Utah Creative Aging Coalition Kaleidoscope Creative Aging Festival, taking place this August. You can learn more about the festival here: https://utahcreativeaging.org/about-kaleidoscope/

I have also enjoyed partnering with Meg and Jordan at Art Against Ageism , helping draft proposals and contribute to their grant database. As someone who began my career in the greater Washington, DC, area, I find this collaboration especially meaningful.

In addition, I recently completed Lifetime Arts (Creative Aging) Creative Aging Foundations: The Essentials training and connected with inspiring creatives who are advancing the field of creative aging across the country.

So far, this practicum has expanded my understanding of creative aging, social prescribing, and the role of the arts in supporting health and well-being. As I look ahead, I hope to continue growing professionally at the intersection of aging, creativity, health, and community.

If you know of opportunities or organizations working in creative aging, dementia care, or social prescribing, I would love to connect!

06/24/2026

Reflections on Meaning, Purpose, and Aging 🤔

One of my favorite experiences this past spring semester was teaching about meaning and purpose in my Cultural Representations of Aging class.

We explored how meaning and purpose shape our lives across the lifespan and how they can impact health, well-being, resilience, and even longevity.

We talked about how purpose can come from relationships, community, work, creativity, personal goals, and the things that make life worth living.

As a music therapist, I loved connecting these concepts to my work with people living with dementia. Music can help people reconnect with identity, express emotions, strengthen relationships, and engage in experiences that bring meaning and joy.

To close the class, we reflected on what gives each of us purpose right now and celebrated those connections through music.

It was a reminder that while purpose looks different for everyone, it remains important at every age.

✨ Meaning and purpose matter at every age
🎵 Music can reconnect us to identity and joy
🤝 Relationships and community give life meaning
đź’™ Purpose supports well-being and resilience
🌱 Purpose evolves throughout the lifespan

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Wilmington, NC
28405

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Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 1pm

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