Tanya is passionate about music and loves her work as a music therapist! It has always and continues to bring her well-being, distraction and satisfaction on many levels, such as, doing good to others, to ease, to lighten, to appease, to send off to sleep, to encourage laughter, to make dizzy to discover or to pour out one's heart. She is a pianist since childhood and has been part of a choir for many years.
She completed her Bachelors in Music therapy from UQAM in 2008 and Master's of Music Therapy (MMT) at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2010. She was the President of the Association québécoise de musicothérapie from 2014-2018, and was the vice president from 2011-2014.
Work experience
- Fondation Papillon 2018-present
- Music Hive 2019-2020
- Montreal Children's Hospital 2012-2015, 2016-2019
- L'Essence en mouvement 2010-2017
- MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre 2015
- The Lighthouse Children and Families 2008-2009
She has been working in Verdun and the Greater Montreal area for over 10 years in organizations and in private practice, and particularly enjoys working with newborns, babies, and children under 5 years old. Whether they are premature, sick, hospitalized or isolated, music acts as a real and wonderful remedy for these children.
In older children who may have, for example, a physical or intellectual disability, developmental or behavioural delays or issues, an illness, difficulties with expression, self-esteem or self-knowledge. She knows that music can be a facilitating tool, all while adapting to the needs of each person.
Olivia believes that music plays an important role in mental health and she is passionate about using music as a tool to support the well-being of her clients. While it isn’t always possible to communicate what we need, want, or feel with words, she believes that music can bridge this gap, and become the pathway to connection.
Olivia graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy and a Minor in Psychology. She has completed her training in Neurologic Music Therapy. In addition to being an accredited music therapist, Olivia is a singer-songwriter, performer, and vocal/ guitar teacher.
Olivia has experience with a wide range of clients, including children with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities, and seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. She is passionate about making music therapy accessible to individuals who can truly benefit from it.