Credentials:

• Berklee College of Music - Professional Music degree (in 2008)
• Bachelor of Music Therapy (Capilano University) 2017
• Accredited with the  Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT)

Populations specialized with: Addictions, Stroke Recovery, Long-Term Care

Special Skills /Related Training: Trauma Informed Practice Training 1 Personal History: I grew up in South Surrey where I began playing guitar at age 13, which is now my primary instrument. My first instrument was alto saxophone. The fingerings for that instrument transferred over to clarinet which was my high-school concert band instrument for a number of years. I love music but I also love being active. I enjoy walking/hiking in nature and my favourite outdoor activity is cycling. A random fact: my all-time favourite movie is Apocalypse Now.

Professional History: I’ve been a music therapist for almost 2 years now and within the first few months of being an accredited music therapist, I acquired contracts in long-term care (Three Links Care Centre), addictions (Pacifica Treatment Centre), and stroke recovery (North-Shore Stroke Recovery Centre). I taught guitar for 7 years while playing in various bands ranging from metal, jazz / improvised music, classic rock, and blues. I currently sing and play harmonica and guitar in a blues band called the Black Top Blues Band.

Work Philosophy: My music therapy training predominantly consisted of a humanist, client-centred approach. I am also interested in a psychodynamic approach in conjunction with a cognitive-behavioural approach, though I am still learning these schools of therapy. I see the importance of uncovering the ‘routes’ from one’s past that may have led to trauma, addiction, mental illness, etc. while also providing tools and resources to cope with and manage one’s life currently. I also work from a social justice lens - keeping an awareness of feminist ideals, resisting toxic masculinity, working towards a decolonizing / inclusive practice (including LGBT2SQIA+ identities).

Personal Life Philosophy: I am a Won Buddhist which is a modern, Korean form of Buddhism. The practice is based in a practical view of Buddhism and how one can serve their community to the best of their ability. I believe in looking for ‘signs’ in life - being attuned / aware of the information that the universe provides in order to guide us. I also believe in karma - that ‘we get what we put in.’

Favourite Quote: “I don’t play a lot of fancy guitar. I don’t want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks.” - John Lee Hooker