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Originally from Gimli, but raised in Stonewall as a misconceptions that music therapy is a volunteer
teenager, Kjaldgaard said it was her piano teacher service or just a music lesson, which it isn’t.
who first introduced her to the practice. But year after year, Kjaldgaard has tried to make
“I knew that was what I wanted to do.” headway not just in Brandon, but across Westman.
During an actual session, Kjaldgaard may use a With the help of Variety, the Children’s Charity of
number of different instruments, from drums and Manitoba, Kjaldgaard has been able to use grant
bongos, to rattles and shakers. money to expand her services into two Westman area
A session will look different for each person or schools: Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa and
group and may last between a half-hour to 45 Oak Lake Community School.
minutes or longer. Kjaldgaard holds sessions at each school once a week
For a child with autism, Kjaldgaard may use music and the hope is to expand the program to other
therapy to help him or her learn how to make eye schools in southwestern Manitoba in the coming years.
contact, or how to interact with other kids in school. “We were pleased with the success of the program
“We use music and instruments, and music making, to last year,” said Brenda Masson, principal of Oak Lake
work on skills like sharing and turn-taking, greetings, Community School. “It really seems to make a
and all those types of skills that you learn when you’re difference for children, especially children who are
a little kid,” Kjaldgaard said. non-verbal.”
For a group like the one at Family Visions, music
therapy allows them to socialize and bond with each
other in a way they may not be able to do elsewhere, Who Can Benefit
especially for someone like Shelly. From Music Therapy?
“For them to be able to participate in this program, in
music therapy, and to do these performances and to Below are examples of medical conditions,
express themselves in this way, it’s something that living conditions and goal areas of individuals
they value because it’s shown a different side to some that might lead to someone accessing music therapy.
of the clients,” Kjaldgaard said.
Chaboyer didn’t know much about music therapy at • Acquired Brain Injury • Neonatal Care
first, but after sitting in on Kjaldgaard’s sessions for a • AIDS • Obstetrics
few years, he said he has come to understand the • Autism and other • Oncology
Pervasive Development
• Pain Control
importance music therapy plays in building a sense of Disabilities • Palliative Care
camaraderie at Family Visions. • Critical Care • Personal Growth
“Music therapy is a big thing for our clients, absolutely.” • Developmental • Physical Disabilities
Even though music therapy has been around for Disabilities • Speech and Language
Impairments
several decades, the practice is still relatively new. • Emotional Traumas • Substance Abuse
• Geriatric Care
Music therapy isn’t covered by health insurance, • Hearing Impairments • Teens at Risk
meaning clients have to pay for the service out of • Mental Health • Victims of Abuse
pocket, and Kjaldgaard said there are still Difficulties • Visual Impairments
www.musictherapy.ca
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