Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Nadia began studying violin at the age of 4. She began playing piano at age 7 and picked up the French horn in high school. Nadia completed aBachelor of Music in String Performance at Brandon University in 2016 before moving to Vancouver to pursue music therapy studies in 2017. Nadia graduated with distinction from Capilano University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree in June 2020 after finishing her practicum in Richmond and Delta working with children and adults. She is excited to connect with the MTABC community through the monthly newsletter and to be a part of a team to serve the music therapy community.
As well as studying and performing, Nadia has taught in her own private violin and piano studio since 2008. Trained in the Suzuki and Music Together methods, she enjoys working with all ages, abilities, and styles. Nadia currently works at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music and with the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra.
In her free time, Nadia can be found baking cookies, reading, or tending to her garden.
Sam is a cisgendered, able-bodied, white male settler music therapist who has been working in long-term care, mental health and addictions, and stroke recovery since graduating from the Capilano Music Therapy Program in 2017. Though Sam’s music therapy practice has looked very different depending on the population, his approach remains client-centred, trauma-informed, and social-justice-based. Sam is drawn to using improvisation, songwriting, rap writing, singing, and music-listening in his practice.
Before pursuing music therapy, he taught guitar for 7 years while playing in various bands. His professional musical background has involved writing, performing and recording music ranging from blues, rock, and heavy metal to jazz and improvised music. He also makes sample-driven hip-hop beats which he used in a rap music therapy program while working in addictions.
Beyond music, Sam loves cycling around Vancouver and spending time with his wife and cats. He has a growing interest in Won Buddhist meditation, spirituality, feminism, decolonization and history. As the new secretary for the MTABC board, Sam is excited to be a part of a team that serves our music therapy community. He looks forward to getting more involved and to connecting with more members.
