MUSIC CARE in Action

MUSIC CARE IN ACTION

Spring 2025

WHAT'S NEW

CHANGEMAKERS

Joseph Konty, a recent MUSIC CARE CERTIFY INDIVIDUAL is the Music Director at Gentog (Generations Together) in Portland, Oregon, an organization that embraces intergenerational care to promote holistic health and wellness. In Konty’s presence, you experience true empathy and dedication. His unwavering commitment to care through music is palpable and exemplifies the profound impact of intergenerational connection, creativity, and community.

LEADING EDGE

Miya Adout is a graduate of Concordia University where she received a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies, she is also a leading Canadian Music Therapist and business owner of Miya Creative Care. As we celebrate Music Therapy Month, we celebrate Miya, whose vision is that every health and wellness organization throughout Ontario includes creative arts therapies as an integral part of their care model. And with her positivity and values-driven approach, she may very likely see it happen!

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Over the past two school years, Room 217 has partnered with the Simcoe County District School Board to pilot and beta test the MUSIC CARE CERTIFY FOR SCHOOLS program in both the elementary and secondary panels. The idea to create and develop this program for schools evolved through conversations with SCDSB Arts Consultant, Bonnie Black. In a post-COVID world, the need for programs that address student health and well-being have become a key strategic priority for most school boards, including SCDSB. Our CERTIFY program provides tools and training for teachers to be able to weave music wellness tools and strategies into lesson planning both in individual classrooms and as a school community.

ESSENTIALS

TIPS & TRICKS - Sound Therapy

Whilst caregiving is rewarding, it is inarguably stressful at times. Sound therapy offers a simple, effective way to reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and create a calming environment for caregivers and those they support.

MUSIC CARE TOOLS

PATHWAYS is a research-informed, targeted singing program for dementia care. The goal is to provide a program that can be used repeatedly by paid and unpaid caregivers who may not be confident in leading music sessions on their own. Seasons is one of the PATHWAYS collections comprised of 4 – 30 minute episodes entitled Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. Each episode uses 5 well-known songs. Briar invites participants to join in accompanied by the musical track. There are lots of visuals to help engage participants in the song themes

Welcome Lisa!

This month, we welcome Lisa Mills, our new Revenue Lead, to our team. Lisa is a seasoned healthcare business professional and brings over 15 years of business development and sales experience in the sector along with a decade of successfully running a franchise business. Lisa looks forward to meeting you at upcoming conferences and events. Feel free to reach out to Lisa if you want more information about any of Room 217’s programs and services.

EMAIL LISA

BOOK REVIEW

March is Music Therapy month. We celebrate our music therapy colleagues. Many of them are both clinicians and researchers who write and publish their work. Music therapists may self-publish, but typically are published through Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Barcelona Publishers and Oxford Press. We’ve picked 10 of our favourite music therapy authored/edited books to share.

IT'S CONFERENCE SEASON

Room 217 will be at the following conferences. If you’ll be there too, let’s connect! Looking forward to great conversations and new opportunities. See you soon!

April 8-9 - OLTCA, Together We Care, Toronto | Exhibitor (Booth #1329)

April 14 - ArtsCare, Calgary

May 13 - LTCAM Conference, Winnipeg | Exhibitor

May 14-15 - This is LTC in NB, Fredericton

May 22-24 - CAMT Conference, Halifax

June 1-3 - BC Care Providers, Victoria | Presenter

June 4-6 - CCANS, Cape Breton

June 8-10 - HPCO, Richmond Hill |Exhibitor

June 10-12 - CTRA, Halifax | Exhibitor

July 27-30 - AAIC, Toronto | Exhibitor