Peoples Music Therapy

10/10/2025

🎸 Behind the Scenes at Peoples Music Therapy 🎶 Adapting Guitar Techniques for Music Therapy Sessions!

Join us for a peek inside one of our in-house continuing education workshops, where our therapists explore creative ways to use the guitar in therapy sessions.

At Peoples Music Therapy, we’re always learning, growing, and expanding our skills to better support our community. This workshop highlights the dedication and collaboration that happens behind the scenes to bring meaningful, evidence-informed music experiences to the individuals and communities we serve.

👉 To learn more about our programs or book a session, visit www.peoplesmusictherapy.com

📍 Located throughout Metro Vancouver | Serving children, families, and communities through music and creative arts.

09/26/2025

Our Paint Party is happening tomorrow, we’re excited and looking forward to seeing you!

When: Saturday, September 27
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: 405 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 1B1

Please RSVP through email at info@peoplesmusictherapy.com or dm us :)

See you there!

09/21/2025

We’re so excited to open the doors of our brand-new studio located at New Westminster, and we’d love for you to be part of the celebration! This isn’t just any open house, it’s an afternoon filled with creativity, color, and community

Here’s what you can look forward to:
✨Explore our beautiful new studio space
✨Meet our friendly team
✨Join in a collaborative art project
✨Enjoy light refreshments and a fun, welcoming atmosphere

When: Saturday, September 27

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: 405 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 1B1

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors — all ages are welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just curious to try, this is the perfect chance to relax, connect, and add a little color to your weekend.

🎉 Let’s make our new studio feel like home together. We can’t wait to paint, laugh, and celebrate with you!

Please RSVP by email to info@peoplesmusictherapy.com or dm :)

01/28/2025

We're opening Vancouvers first in-person music therapy studio. Thank you all for your support over the years :) its slowly coming together.

Book online: https://peoplesmusictherapy.janeapp.com/

Learn more: https://peoplesmusictherapy.com

There is a long tradition of music therapy in health practices around the world. Peoples Music Therapy aspires to bring evidence-based, compassionate, culturally competent music experiences to our modern healthcare systems. We are here to ensure that where there are people, there is music.

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https://youtu.be/H2meTS77z5Y

Music therapy is the clinical application of music as provided by a credentialed professional who encourages, maintains, and promotes improved health in indi...

09/30/2024

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and also Orange Shirt Day. This day is meant to honor survivors of residential schools, the children who never made it home, and their families and communities. We acknowledge that Indigenous communities are still facing the ongoing impacts of colonization. We also acknowledge the healing power of music in all cultures, including the deep and rich traditions of Indigenous music and storytelling.

We are committed to continuous learning, decolonizing our practices, and uplifting Indigenous voices. Learn more at orangeshirtday.org.

08/19/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet our intern, Kaia!**

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Kaia (she/her) has been living and working on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations since 2017. Her experiences as a mixed Asian q***r woman have shaped her worldview deeply, aligning her music therapy approach with an anti-oppressive framework. She also believes strongly that music-making is essential to the human experience, and that every person can grow and change through their relationship with music.

Kaia has clinical experience working with seniors in long-term care, neurodiverse children, and adults in substance abuse recovery. In 2023, she completed her Level 1 training in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM).

Kaia is also a classically trained pianist, having earned her Bachelor of Music from UBC in 2021, and continues to teach piano in the Greater Vancouver area. She enjoys playing other instruments as well, including guitar, ukulele, violin, and Balinese Gamelan.

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08/16/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Steven!**

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Steven found his love for music at an early age when his parents bought his first piano and signed him up for piano lessons. He also grew up an active kid as he also did swimming and found joy being in recreation. After years of working recreation and aquatics, he found that he was missing something.

Upon rediscovering his joy for music, Steven Tang enrolled at York University in Toronto and completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Piano Performance in 2021. From there, he discovered music therapy and went to Capilano University, where he completed his Bachelor of Music Therapy University in 2024. During his time at CapU, he found an opportunity to do many practicums including one at Vancouver General Hospital and completed his internship at BC Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

Steven continues to work part-time as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for the City of Vancouver where he teaches adapted swim lessons and is a national lifeguard instructor. During his free time Steven enjoys playing video games, watching sports, and laying on the beach.

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08/12/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Marty!**

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Hello, my name is Marty. I am a certified music therapist from Capilano University. I have been working as a music therapist for over five years and have specialized in senior care and neurodivergent kids. I grew up in a small town and have moved here to Abbotsford after my schooling where I have been working since graduation.

I started my music career as a punk bass player in my teenage years, and have been loving learning new instruments and genres of music. I mostly play guitar and sing these days, but I still enjoy many different styles of music.

My hobby are mostly very nerdy as I love games and story telling in many forms. My favourite music is electro swing and I love hearing peoples favourite songs.

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08/08/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Ian!**

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Ian received a Bachelor of Applied Music from Vancouver Community College where he studied jazz saxophone and took courses in composition, arranging, and jazz piano, and a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from Concordia University in Montreal. Ian has worked as a personal support councillor for disabled persons, and he is also an experienced teacher having taught English and Music for several years.

Ian’s clinical experience in music therapy includes working with clients in mental health, geriatrics, palliative care, dementia care, and autistic individuals. He believes in taking a client-centered approach and he draws on a wide range of music therapy techniques. Ian believes deeply in the power of music and the important role that it can play in helping us access and express our emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.

In his spare time, Ian enjoys being outside in nature, reading, and catching up with family and friends.

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08/04/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Sanjana!**

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Sanjana moved to BC with the intention to bridge her love for psychology and music through Capilano University’s music therapy program. She completed her BMT degree in 2023 and is now a practicing certified music therapist.

Sanjana currently works at two long-term care facilities through Vancouver Coastal Health. She has experience working with diverse clinical populations that include mental health, addictions, brain injuries, dementia, ASD, and other complex health conditions.

Her personal experiences led her to a path of providing a sanctuary for her clients. She believes it is a gift to hold space for others’ self-expression and create a sense of belonging for those who tend to be neglected.

In her free time, Sanjana loves listening to music, spending time with her dog and being in nature :)

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08/01/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Bowie!**

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Bowie grew up in Vancouver and has been playing music since he was a child. With a passion for helping others, Bowie earned his Bachelor’s of Music Therapy in 2022, he has been honing his practice with populations in need such as the elderly and those with mental health diagnoses.

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07/28/2024

**Staff Profile: Meet Josh!**

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Josh was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to Vancouver, Canada, at the age of 10. Josh is a new grad from the music therapy bachelor’s program at Capilano University. Josh has been playing music for since he was 13 years old, and while guitar has been the focus, Josh also plays a variety of other instruments, such as piano, voice, drums, and bass.

Josh’s music therapy journey began with his passion for music and helping others. His approach is client-centric and improvisational; he tailors each session to the unique needs of the clients. He has extensive experience working with children ranging from neurotypical to those with ASD and ADHD, both in and out of the school system. Josh also has experience supporting adults with a variety of mental health disorders, such as addictions and psychosis.

In his free time, Josh enjoys learning and listening to the blues, spending time with friends, family and their dog.

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