Music at Heart

Music at Heart Certified Music Therapist for children differently abled (birth to 18yrs). Services are available for individuals and groups (birth to 18 years).

Services: Music Therapy; Music-Psychotherapy; Adapted Music Lessons; and Group Music classes for neurotypical or neurodivergent; Presentations & Consultation by request. "Play, Sing and Learn Through Music" - Maya Chriqui, BMT, MTA

Music at Heart offers Paediatric Music Therapy Services, Adapted Music Lessons for Children (various diagnosis, abilities and interests), Baby/Toddler & Preschool Time Music Groups with caregiver (for typical kids and kids with special needs). Workshops, Consults & Presentations are available for Educational, Medical and/or Business Facilities. With over 25 years of experience using an evidence-based therapy practice (Music Therapy) in addition to having been trained in Neurologic Music Therapy (research-based system of 20 techniques), I've observed children progress and I've listened to parent's testimonials relating their child's improvements with their communication, social, psychological, emotional, cognitive and physical skills at a faster and more pleasurable rate through music therapy than other therapies referred to by their psychologist or physician because of their child's inner motivators towards making music (actively or passively) using their interests and abilities! Music has the ability to connect with and engage any living being. Here are some of the children with and without diagnosis at the time of starting music therapy or adapted music lessons with whom I've created musical moments that offered them an outlet of self expression, pleasure, and acceptance: Angelman's Syndrome, Anxiety Disorder, Autism, Asperger's, Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Chromosomal Disorders, Cognitively Delayed, Coping Loss, Communicative Disorders, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Hearing/Visual Impairments, Learning Challenges (ADHD, Dyslexia, Grapho-Motor issues), Sensory Processing Issues (auditory, visual, tactile seeking or avoidances), Stroke victims, Tourette's & Wiliam's Syndrome...to name a few. Music activates the whole brain simultaneously using all senses. Research reveals that through music therapy a child's responses were found to be more effective within a shorter period of time, the child had more success-oriented, regulating and pleasurable experiences, and in turn children became more empowered and emotionally stable, working towards/through their developmental process. Having worked in various multidisciplinary clinics, collaborating or running joint sessions with Parents, SLp's, OT's, PT's, BT's, Psychologist's and/or Educators has provided increased benefits for the child! I believe (and have witnessed) that when a team is working together, collaborating regularly, and is on the same page while communicating with parents, the child is better able to progress, generalize, and reinforce their learning of necessary skills with greater support and overall benefit. I strongly believe that every child deserves to be loved, respected and nurtured! Your questions, concerns and comments are welcome! Contact me today and let's connect your child to music in a way that will guide and support them today and throughout their well-being and life! ��

10/04/2025

MIT researchers found that teaching music strengthens memory, attention, problem-solving, and language skills by activating both sides of the brain. Unlike coding, which builds logic but uses fewer brain regions, music engages creativity, emotions, and teamwork, leading to sharper intelligence and stronger academic performance. Experts say music first can even make coding easier later.

10/03/2025

Have a pleasant weekend everyone...it might be the last one this hot🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🎶💜

Some parenting direction..
09/21/2025

Some parenting direction..

Music Therapy reaches kids at all levels of abilities and challenges through every level and area of their development t...
09/19/2025

Music Therapy reaches kids at all levels of abilities and challenges through every level and area of their development through success-oriented creative, productive, purposeful and pleasurable experiences making music with instruments of their choice. 🎶💜

THE GENTLE, steady beat of percussion drums resonates through a sunlit room at Ideas Autism Centre (IAC).

Does your child have 1 or more of these diagnosis or challenges described though not yet diagnosed? Have you considered ...
09/18/2025

Does your child have 1 or more of these diagnosis or challenges described though not yet diagnosed? Have you considered Music Psychotherapy? At 'Music at Heart' a certified music therapist with over 30yrs experience (supervised by an experienced registered psychotherapist).Covered by OAP or your psychotherapy work benefits.
🎶💜

Neurobiological Cousins As a life coach, I often describe OCD, ADHD, and Autism as ‘neurobiological cousins.’ These conditions share overlapping challenges and differences that reveal the complexity of the human mind. Understanding this overlap helps us appreciate the unique struggles and streng...

https://www.facebook.com/share/17Cw2GRT59/
09/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17Cw2GRT59/

Absolutely awesome infographic on the eighth - and often misunderstood - sense, interoception, or what's going on inside your body and with your internal organs.
via Neuropositive Living

09/02/2025

Music at Heart wishes everyone a smooth first week back at school. May their year be bright, your worries be light, and may their friendships and experiences be meaningful and fulfilling.🎶💜
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Saint Catharines, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

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+14165283081

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Our Story

"Play, Sing and Learn Through Music" - Maya Chriqui, BMT, MTA, NMT Music at Heart offers services for Children (birth-18 years) within the Niagara Region. We offer individual, group & camp experience (based on child’s abilities) All services are conducted by an experienced Certified Music Therapist (over 27 years experienced). Services provided include face to face and telehealth online: Music Therapy, Adapted Music Lessons, and Baby, Toddler & Preschool Time Music Groups for children with abilities, challenges and musical interests. Presentations, workshops, speaking engagements and consults for associations, schools, and businesses are available upon request.

As the founder and lead music therapist at Music at Heart, I strongly believe that every child deserves to be loved, respected and nurtured, and given the opportunity to express themselves through music can lead to great gains made that otherwise might have been suppressed.

I have collaborated with allied health professionals to offer jointly and solely run programs which help children generalize and reinforce goals set by their speech, occupational, behavioural/psychological, and physical therapists through their music making processes lead by an accredited music therapist.

Parents have reported their child’s increased level of overall happiness and relaxation versus being aggressive and within a depressed state of mind; saying their first words through songs and music based activities; developing and strengthening skills in areas of their communication (expressive and receptive skills), comprehension, social interactions with peers and siblings, cooperative and joint/parallel play; developing an increased level of attention span and listening skills; developing an increased level of self-confidence and security; being able to identify and better able to self-regulate through various sensory triggers or avoidance's; developing and strengthening their balance, coordination, gross and fine motor skills necessary in daily acts of living; and an overall sensory awareness and manageability of themselves in their home and social environments; lowered levels of medication (or ceasing need for medication); and having success-oriented positive experiences that have helped their overall health and well-being.