About Me
I'm Liz and I use she/her pronouns.
I received my PhD in Music Education from Western University (London, ON, Canada) in 2019, my Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, ON, Canada) in 2007, and my Bachelor of Music from Western University in 2005.
I am currently Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University where I coordinate the Bachelor of Music Therapy program, teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, conduct research, and supervise master’s students in their research. My teaching and research is always grounded in my lived experiences working as a music therapist and psychotherapist, largely in mental health treatment settings.
American Music Therapy Association Conference, 2016
With Laurier MMT students and Laurier's former Dean of Music
From 2017-2020, as Wilfrid Laurier University’s Music Therapist-in-Residence, I developed a music therapy program at Homewood Health Centre, an adult mental health and addictions facility in Guelph, ON. There, I facilitated music therapy with clients from a variety of treatment programs, while also supervising fifteen music therapy interns in their clinical work.
In 2016 I developed a music therapy program at Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre in London, ON, with the support of a grant from the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. And from 2007-2012, I was the music therapist at Lutherwood Mental Health Services and Lutherwood Senior Services in Waterloo, ON. In this role, I had the honour of working with adolescents in day and residential mental health treatment, youth in custody, as well as older adults in an assisted living setting.
Canadian Chamber Choir Photo credit: Jennie Wiebe
Just as my music therapy practice grounds my teaching, my own experiencing of the creative, emotional, and social fulfillment that can come from active music-making, grounds my music therapy practice. I hold an ARCT (Association of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) in piano performance and since 2014 I have sung with the Canadian Chamber Choir, a professional, Juno-nominated ensemble. Though I love playing and singing classical music, these days my musical spirit is filled up by playing and singing pop and folk tunes - I can’t say no to an open mic night!
Cartwheeling along Lake Huron
I’m a believer in balancing work and play. I love the outdoors—hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, canoe camping—and am nourished by simply being in a forest or gazing at water. Sharing good food and good coffee over deep conversation is one of my favourite things. And, my two nephews bring me joy like nothing else can (though my two cats are pretty special too).
My favourite kitties