Faculty of Music Therapy - Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts

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MARITIME CONSERVATORY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Faculty of Music Therapy

Click on the profiles below to read each instructor’s full biography

Anna Plaskett*

BMus / CMT / MTA
Anna Plaskett is the Maritime Conservatory Music Therapy Program Department Head. Anna spent her formative years learning violin and french horn in the Conservatory building back when it belonged to the Halifax City School Music Department, and is excited to be back working in this historic building filled with musical memories. Anna has over 18 years experience as a music therapy clinician, supervisor, presenter and entrepreneur with her former practice, Heartsparks Music Therapy. Anna holds a Bachelor of Music Performance...Learn More

Darrel Cameron

BMus / MTA
With over 15 years’ experience, Darrel Cameron's music therapy approach is informed by compassion, self-awareness, creativity and belief in the resilience of people. Darrel uses a strengths-based approach where the person is invited into a collaborative experience using their own unique strengths and creativity. Darrel graduated with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Capilano University in 2006 and completed his internship the same year...Learn More

Rachel Field

BMT / MTA / NMT
Rachel holds a Bachelors of Music Therapy from Acadia University (2019) and also studied Neurologic Music Therapy (2022) at the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in Toronto. Rachel has experience with children, youth, young adults, and seniors. She was a leader in both the S.M.I.L.E and Best Buddies programs at Acadia, and continues to utilize her spare time developing her skills as a Music Therapist and a valued member of her clients support teams...Learn More

Rhonda Hanson

CMT / BMus / BMusEd
Finding music therapy as a second career has opened up a whole new world of human connections and healing through music for Rhonda. A lifelong educator/learner, Rhonda spent over twenty years teaching music in public school systems in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Her family had the good fortune to move back to Nova Scotia in 2018. Rhonda studied Music Therapy at Acadia University during the pandemic and graduated with a Certificate in...Learn More

Stephanie Josselyn

BMT / MTA
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Acadia University and has completed Level 8 ASL through ASLEC (American Sign Language Education and Communication). She has experience with a wide variety of populations and ages including children and adults with developmental disabilities, young children, seniors, and mental health clients. Stephanie is a playful music therapist who provides flow, energy, and fun in all her sessions...Learn More

Alex Landry

BA / BMT
Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts (2018) from Mount Allison University, where she developed skills on many instruments in both solo and ensemble performance. Alex graduated from Acadia University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music Therapy, where she gained experience working with children, in adult day programs, and in long term care facilities. For the last two years, Alex has enjoyed making connections through music while working in long term care facilities. Alex has recently started her journey with the MCPA Music Therapy Program, and is excited...Learn More

Lilly Maddelena

BMT
From Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Lilly received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Acadia University in 2022. A singer-songwriter and vocalist, Lilly uses guitar, piano, ukulele, and percussion to facilitate integrative, play-centered therapeutic experiences. She is inspired by breathwork and movement and their essential roles in music making. Lilly has worked with children and teens with chronic health conditions, in youth and adult mental health...Learn More

Brandon Mooney

BMT / MTA / NMT
Brandon is an accredited music therapist and intern supervisor with an additional certification in neurologic music therapy. He received his bachelor of music therapy degree at Acadia University in 2013 and has since been gaining a diverse experience working with populations including youth at risk, autism spectrum, children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, long term care, and...Learn More

Paige Morrissey

BMT / MTA
Paige holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy (2014) from Acadia University. During her studies, she received the Bronze Medal for the highest GPA in Music, and the Weston Music Therapy Practicum Award (2013). She has served as the Public Education Chair for the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy and holds the Long Term Care Program Coordinator position with the Maritime Conservatory Music Therapy Program...Learn More

Antonia Pigot

MTA / NMT
Antonia brings decades of experience to her music therapy practice as a singer, teacher and improvisor and has been working with children and seniors as a music therapist since 2007. She strives to create a rich musical experience authentic to each individual while fulfilling specific therapeutic needs. Antonia holds bachelor degrees in jazz performance and music education, a certificate in music therapy and is currently completing a ...Learn More

Rachel Webster

BMT / MTA / NMT
Rachel Webster is an honours graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University (2016) with a Bachelor’s of Music Therapy, where her training focused heavily in improvisation on multiple instruments. She has additional training from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in Toronto and is a designated Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT). Rachel has also completed her Level 1 Internship Supervisor Training...Learn More

Katelyn Wheaton

BMT / MTA
Katelyn holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Acadia University (2018), and completed her internship with Heartsparks Music Therapy (2019). Originally from Sackville, New Brunswick, Katelyn now lives and practices music therapy in K’jipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia. Katelyn thoughtfully plans new and fun musical activities to engage and connect with clients, and enjoys utilizing her flute in her music therapy practice. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including those with dementia, mental health, physical and intellectual disabilities...Learn More

Click on the profiles below to read each instructor’s full biography

Daniel MacNeil

Guitar & Suzuki Guitar / Oud / Music Theory / World Music Ensemble / Guitar Ensemble
Daniel MacNeil is a multiple award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator. He has performed across Canada and Spain as a soloist, in chamber music settings, and with professional symphony orchestras, including: the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic, the Victoria Symphony and Symphony Nova Scotia. In addition to his background in Western classical music, improvisation, and composition, Daniel has specialized training in numerous international or 'world music' genres, including Flamenco, Spanish, Latin, Middle Eastern...Learn More

Matt Richard

An active performer in Halifax and beyond, Matt Richard completed his master’s degree in trumpet performance at the University of Victoria under Lou Ranger, formerly of the American Brass Quintet. He has appeared in concert with Nova Sinfonia, Scotia Brass, Opera Nova Scotia...Learn More

Frances Royle

Piano
Frances is an active performer, who has played for numerous opera and musical theatre productions as well as in solo and chamber music recitals. She has served as an accompanist for the School of Dance and the Suzuki Department as well as many private voice, string, and wind students. She teaches students of all ages and levels and particularly enjoys teaching adults. (Also Theory, private lessons only.)...Learn More

Dr. Lorna Wanzel*

Piano / Music Theory

Dr. Lorna Wanzel grew up in England where she started her piano/theory studies. She now lives in Halifax Nova Scotia, where she maintains a very successful private piano/theory teaching studio. She has over...Learn More

Mobile Roster

Anna Plaskett*

BMus / CMT / MTA

Anna Plaskett is the Maritime Conservatory Music Therapy Program Department Head. Anna spent her formative years learning violin and french horn in the Conservatory building back when it belonged to the Halifax City School Music Department, and is excited to be back working in this historic building filled with musical memories. Anna has over 18 years experience as a music therapy clinician, supervisor, presenter and entrepreneur with her former practice, Heartsparks Music Therapy. Anna holds a Bachelor of Music Performance...Learn More

Darrel Cameron

BMus / MTA

With over 15 years’ experience, Darrel Cameron's music therapy approach is informed by compassion, self-awareness, creativity and belief in the resilience of people. Darrel uses a strengths-based approach where the person is invited into a collaborative experience using their own unique strengths and creativity. Darrel graduated with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Capilano University in 2006 and completed his internship the same year...Learn More

Rachel Field

BMT / MTA / NMT

Rachel holds a Bachelors of Music Therapy from Acadia University (2019) and also studied Neurologic Music Therapy (2022) at the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in Toronto. Rachel has experience with children, youth, young adults, and seniors. She was a leader in both the S.M.I.L.E and Best Buddies programs at Acadia, and continues to utilize her spare time developing her skills as a Music Therapist and a valued member of her clients support teams...Learn More

Rhonda Hanson

CMT / BMus / BMusEd

Finding music therapy as a second career has opened up a whole new world of human connections and healing through music for Rhonda. A lifelong educator/learner, Rhonda spent over twenty years teaching music in public school systems in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Her family had the good fortune to move back to Nova Scotia in 2018. Rhonda studied Music Therapy at Acadia University during the pandemic and graduated with a Certificate in...Learn More

Stephanie Josselyn

BMT / MTA

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Acadia University and has completed Level 8 ASL through ASLEC (American Sign Language Education and Communication). She has experience with a wide variety of populations and ages including children and adults with developmental disabilities, young children, seniors, and mental health clients. Stephanie is a playful music therapist who provides flow, energy, and fun in all her sessions...Learn More

Alex Landry

BA / BMT

Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts (2018) from Mount Allison University, where she developed skills on many instruments in both solo and ensemble performance. Alex graduated from Acadia University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music Therapy, where she gained experience working with children, in adult day programs, and in long term care facilities. For the last two years, Alex has enjoyed making connections through music while working in long term care facilities. Alex has recently started her journey with the MCPA Music Therapy Program, and is excited...Learn More

Lilly Maddelena

BMT

From Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Lilly received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Acadia University in 2022. A singer-songwriter and vocalist, Lilly uses guitar, piano, ukulele, and percussion to facilitate integrative, play-centered therapeutic experiences. She is inspired by breathwork and movement and their essential roles in music making. Lilly has worked with children and teens with chronic health conditions, in youth and adult mental health...Learn More

Brandon Mooney

BMT / MTA / NMT

Brandon is an accredited music therapist and intern supervisor with an additional certification in neurologic music therapy. He received his bachelor of music therapy degree at Acadia University in 2013 and has since been gaining a diverse experience working with populations including youth at risk, autism spectrum, children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, long term care, and...Learn More

Paige Morrissey

BMT / MTA

Paige holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy (2014) from Acadia University. During her studies, she received the Bronze Medal for the highest GPA in Music, and the Weston Music Therapy Practicum Award (2013). She has served as the Public Education Chair for the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy and holds the Long Term Care Program Coordinator position with the Maritime Conservatory Music Therapy Program...Learn More

Antonia Pigot

MTA / NMT

Antonia brings decades of experience to her music therapy practice as a singer, teacher and improvisor and has been working with children and seniors as a music therapist since 2007. She strives to create a rich musical experience authentic to each individual while fulfilling specific therapeutic needs. Antonia holds bachelor degrees in jazz performance and music education, a certificate in music therapy and is currently completing a ...Learn More

Rachel Webster

BMT / MTA / NMT

Rachel Webster is an honours graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University (2016) with a Bachelor’s of Music Therapy, where her training focused heavily in improvisation on multiple instruments. She has additional training from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in Toronto and is a designated Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT). Rachel has also completed her Level 1 Internship Supervisor Training...Learn More

Katelyn Wheaton

BMT / MTA

Katelyn holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Acadia University (2018), and completed her internship with Heartsparks Music Therapy (2019). Originally from Sackville, New Brunswick, Katelyn now lives and practices music therapy in K’jipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia. Katelyn thoughtfully plans new and fun musical activities to engage and connect with clients, and enjoys utilizing her flute in her music therapy practice. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including those with dementia, mental health, physical and intellectual disabilities...Learn More

Tablet Roster

*Department Head