Harmony In Dementia

01/02/2026

One of my classmates in my death, dying, and bereavement class last semester focused her teach-back presentation on the creative and expressive process of urn making.

As an art therapist her insight was so valuable, and it felt like such a meaningful reminder that creativity belongs to us at every stage of life.

She even brought in air dry clay for all of us to explore. I started by rolling small balls and sticking them together in an abstract way—no plan, just creating while listening. Then I traded colors with a classmate, and suddenly I noticed it resembled my logo.

A quiet reminder that creativity and connection can show up in unexpected ways, and that harmony is something we make together.

Moments like this feel deeply aligned with the work I do through Harmony in Dementia—creating space for expression, meaning, and connection through music, at every stage of life.

Here’s to more creativity in 2026! 🎊🥳

12/28/2025

2025, by the numbers 📈

As the year comes to an end, I like to pause and look at the people behind the numbers — the conversations, the music, the moments of connection, and the communities that showed up.

✨ 90 group sessions
🎵 138 individual sessions
🧡 219+ caregivers supported
📖 1,400+ professionals reached
📚 70+ students engaged
🖥️ 14 webinars, trainings, & educational sessions

This year I was also able to fulfill a long time goal of mine: to start an in person community music therapy group for caregivers and people living with dementia 🎶

These numbers represent trust, shared space, hard conversations, laughter, grief, advocacy, and music doing what it does best — bringing people together.

I am grateful for every person, organization, and community that invited me in this year. Ending the year full, reflective, and deeply thankful. 💜

If you’re interested in intentional music therapy programming and education for the people you serve, let’s connect in 2026.

12/24/2025

As end of year reviews and celebration posts start filling our feeds (including a few of my own), I want to pause and name something important.

If you didn’t meet the goal.

If this year didn’t look the way you planned.

If you’re ending the year tired, grieving, or simply needing a break.

That is OK.

Life can be joyful and heavy at the same time. There can be milestones alongside loss, growth alongside exhaustion, gratitude alongside grief. None of those cancel the others out.

If what you needed this year was to survive, to rest, to start over quietly, or to just keep showing up, that matters. Ending the year on your terms matters.

So wherever you are right now, I hope you can meet yourself with a little gentleness.

Honor what you carried.

Acknowledge what you let go of.

And give yourself credit for making it this far.

That, too, is worth recognizing 🤍

12/23/2025

That moment when you’re compiling data from your first community music therapy group programming series, and one of the comments unexpectedly makes you cry 🥹

“It has brought him out of his shell. I’ve never heard him sing or use instruments like this. He was so happy and engaged.”

This is why this community programming matters for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

This is why music therapy matters.

12/22/2025

And just like that, I’ve wrapped up seeing clients for 2025. 🎉

Today was a full day—two individual sessions and ending with a group. I’m so grateful for the connections, the music, and the moments that made this year what it was.

Now it’s time to rest, recharge, and reflect as I get ready for what’s ahead. Here’s to slowing down, taking care, and welcoming the next chapter.

Bring on 2026. ✨

12/22/2025

Unboxing: Music Therapist Holiday Haul edition 🎶✨

I took advantage of free holiday shipping and a few Cyber Monday deals to stock up on some high-quality instruments for sessions.

This unboxing includes:
🎵 Nino Djembe Drum
🎵 Multicolor Foot Tambourines
🎵 Sleigh Bells
🎵 Nino Wood A Go-Go
🎵 Nino Rain Stick
🎵 Gourd Seed rattle
🎵 Ritmo Bongos

I’m always intentional about the instruments I bring into sessions—durable, adaptable, lightweight, and meaningful. And when I can invest in quality and save a little? Even better. 💪🏻 🤑

Anyone else use the holiday sales to stock up for the new year?

12/19/2025

For many, this was their first time holding a handbell.

Learning doesn’t stop with a diagnosis.

Musicianship doesn’t disappear.

And community is built in these shared moments of trying, adapting, and succeeding—together.

This is why music therapy matters.

This was our very first time using handbells in this community group—made up of caregivers and people living with dementia. 💜

We spent a few minutes practicing the chords, following the visual cueing, listening to one another, and focusing on the melody. And then, after just a few moments, we played through the song “Silver Bells” together.

Learning doesn’t stop with a diagnosis.

Musicianship is accessible.

And community is built in these shared moments of trying, adapting, and succeeding—together.

This is why music therapy matters.

*Video shared with permission*

12/18/2025

I’m so excited to share that I was recently a guest on another music therapy podcast! 🎙️

and I first connected on Instagram and finally got to meet IRL last year at the conference. I truly love everything about her—from her entrepreneurial journey to how open, supportive, and uplifting she is to other music therapists, especially new and young professionals.

It was such a delight to sit down and talk with her, and I hope you can feel my post-session energy and excitement as we dive into my music therapy origin story, private practice ownership, collaboration vs. competition, and ageism in music therapy.

Huge thank you to Dannielle for creating such a welcoming space and for inviting me to share a bit of my story and passion for this work. I’m so grateful for conversations like this and the community they continue to build.

🎧 Be sure to check out the episode!
🔗 in my bio

12/17/2025

As this year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much support it takes to do this work—and how grateful I am for the community around me. 💜

To my clients and caregivers: thank you for trusting me with your stories, your memories, and your music. It is truly an honor to walk alongside you. ✨

To the organizations, libraries, senior centers, and community partners I collaborated with this year—thank you for believing in relationship-centered, community-based music therapy and for welcoming this work into your spaces. 🎶

To colleagues, referral partners, friends, and everyone who shared my work, made connections, or offered encouragement—your support means more than you know. 🥰

These thank-you postcards are a small gesture of deep gratitude. Harmony in Dementia exists because of relationships, trust, and a shared belief that music therapy matters.

12/16/2025

12/16/2025

Holiday moments don’t always come from big celebrations.

Sometimes they come from a lyric sheet, a familiar melody, and a smile that says I’m here.

As soon as I handed her the lyrics to White Christmas, she began to sing.

She doesn’t speak often—but she sang every word.

When I complimented her, her smile grew even bigger.

This is why music therapy matters.

Not for performance. Not for perfection.

But for recognition, expression, and moments of joy—especially this time of year. 🎶✨