The Company

Connecting In Rhythm offers both on-site and off-site music therapy, and is also a Telehealth service provider. We provide music therapy for a diverse range of populations, with no prior music experience required.

Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy with Internship, University of Windsor

A.R.C.T Piano Performance & Comprehensive Theory, Royal Conservatory of Music

Music Therapy Accredited (MTA), Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT)

World of Hand Drumming Certification/Symphonic Percussion Workshop, Humber College

Jazz Piano/Blues and Rock Piano Keyboard Techniques, Berklee College of Music

Certified HealthRHYTHMS facilitator, REMO HealthRHYTHMS

Certified Kindermusik Teacher, Kindermusik Canada

Dalcroze Workshop Certification Course, Dalcroze Canada

The Neuroscience of Music in Therapy/Facilitating Speech and Language Courses, CBMT Summit Music Therapy Online Courses

Choral conducting master class with celebrated Canadian conductor Iwan Edwards, Salt-Spring Island

CAMT Level I Internship Supervision

Guided Imagery Level I and II, currently completing Level III

Choral conducting master class with Marta McCarthy, President of Choral Canada

Neurologic Music Therapist Designation – NMT

Masters of Music Therapy at Berklee (completion June, 2018)

Registered Psychotherapist (#007088), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

Accredited member (MTA) of the Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT)

Accredited member (MT-BC) of the American Association of Music Therapy (AAMT)

Member of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO)

Member of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, Local 226

Member of Choral Canada

Member of Choir Ontario

Member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists

Artistic director/Conductor; Grand River Voices

Music director/Organist: Mount Zion Lutheran Church

Studied with Iwan Edwards and Marta McCarthy

Cootes Paradise; www.cootesparadiseband.ca

Principal Percussionist; Guelph Symphony Orchestra; www.guelphsymphony.com

Juror at the University of Guelph for Applied Music programme juries

Collaborative Pianist

Founder: Amy Di Nino RP, MA, MTA, ARCT, NMT

I engage in an integrative theoretical approach within my music therapy clinical practice, fusing the connection of community with music psychotherapy techniques to promote and support change, healing and quality of life. My clinical specialities are neurodiverse/dual diagnosis children, addictions/recovery and mood disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.).

I entered the music therapy profession having been exposed to a variety of music from an early age and since then, have obtained degrees, diplomas, and certificates from the University of Windsor, University of Toronto, Humber College and I completed my Masters of Music Therapy at Berklee in Boston in 2018. Based out of Kitchener, ON, I am artistic director and conductor of Grand River Voices, and music director/organist at Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Waterloo, ON. Additionally, I am the drummer for Cootes Paradise, a Dundas, ON blues and R&B band. As a conductor, pianist, and percussionist, I have performed with ensembles, symphonies, and as a soloist throughout North America and Europe. Additionally I am an arranger and composer, having written works for choirs, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and songs both classical and popular.

Prior to opening my private practice, I provided music therapy programming at the world renowned W. Ross Macdonald School for the Visually Impaired, Blind, and Deafblind where I established many initiatives, including the WRMS Deafblind Bell Choir, and the creation of an auditory sensory room, that was subsequently replicated at Sensity; Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada). These efforts earned me the 2012 Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Ontario in the Support Staff category.

Formally ADD Music Wellness, Connecting In Rhythm was born out of the first four years of private practice, and essentially understanding how my unique education, experience and skill set can most effectively help people, and how that is also transmitted by our team members. When we connect in rhythm, the possibilites are endless!

As a registered psychotherapist, I uphold the standards put in place by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). The scope of practice of psychotherapy includes the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication. My pronouns are she/her.

Kimberly Allred

Kimberly (Kim) Allred RP, MMT, MTA

I received an Honours Bachelor of Music and Masters degree of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University. Being born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo I have been lucky to perform with various church, community, and professional choirs, operas, and musical theatre performances throughout the region before relocating to London, ON in the summer of 2018. I consider my voice my primary instrument but am also proficient on guitar, piano, and ukulele.

As a music therapist, I have experience working in child and adolescent mental health, children and adolescents with developmental and cognitive disabilities, adolescent mothers, newcomers to Canada, traumatic brain injury, and aged care including grief, depression, isolation, trauma, and dementia care.

I have completed additional training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (Level 1 practitioner) and Neurologic Music Therapy. I have grown my verbal counselling skills through Wilfrid Laurier’s social work professional development training in At-risk Youth, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for groups and individuals.

Music has always served as a safe and supportive place for me. That feeling paired with a love for customer service and making connections with others inspires me daily in my clinical work. I believe that music therapy as a profession is limitless and I am constantly seeking ways to expand my clinical methods and experience. My pronouns are she/her

Junie Baek

Junie Baek MMT, MTA

A lyric soprano, I, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Specialized Honours in Classical Voice Performance from York University in 2017, where I studied with Canadian soprano, Stephanie Bogle. I was a soprano soloist in several works, including Bach’s St. John Passion and Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, as well as in solo ensembles in performances of Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Ottawa Bach Choir in 2015. I have performed in Germany, South Korea, as well as Canada. I am also an inspiring instructor. With over 6 years of teaching experience, I am currently working as a voice, piano, and theory instructor at Long and McQuade Lesson Centre. I completed a Master of Music Therapy degree (MMT) at Wilfrid Laurier University, where I have gained clinical experience working with various populations including individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Alzheimer’s, dementia, anxiety, depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  I will be working towards the accreditation from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. My pronouns are she/her.

Danna Dacosta

Danna Da Costa RP, MTA, MA, BMT

Having worked with people across the lifespan, all with differing needs and ways of looking at the world, I have come to believe that every human being has strengths, is constantly learning, and has a voice. As a music therapist, my job is to help facilitate someone’s journey to greater self-awareness and personal empowerment. For these reasons, I use an eclectic model of music therapy grounded in positive psychology, resource-oriented music therapy, and community music therapy concepts, and supported by humanistic, psychodynamic, and client-centered methods, goals, and ethics.

Currently, I provide music therapy services to the communities of Brantford and Cambridge.  I am also the owner of Amazing Grace Music Therapy.  and I also work as a researcher, vocalist, musician, and editor. My music therapy and research work have allowed me opportunities to work with adults through community music therapy, music and wellness, and music and medicine initiatives with people receiving long-term care, palliative care, and oncology services, as well as individuals and groups with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

My journey began at the University of Windsor with my Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy, followed by my clinical internship with Fermata Music Therapy in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2014, I graduated with a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy Option) from Concordia University in Montreal under the tutelage of Dr. Sandi Curtis, Dr. Guylaine Vaillancourt, and Dr. Laurel Young. While there I completed my thesis: A Resource-Oriented Music Therapy Support Group for Adults Living with Fibromyalgia. Additionally, I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). As such, I collectively operate under the ethical codes and standards of practice of the CRPO and the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT). My pronouns are she/her

Trevor Dalton

Trevor Dalton BMT, MTA

I received an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier in 2019 and completed my internship with ADD Music Wellness. I gained experience working in palliative care, adult mental health, with office staff, and with the deaf-blind population. I continue to provide music therapy to each population while carrying out receptive-music therapy research at the Juravinski Cancer Centre with Connecting in Rhythm.

I use an integrative, humanistic approach focusing on client-preferred and resource-oriented music therapy. I focus on helping people realize the emotional bond we have with music and how we can use it to empower us and achieve emotional goals. I am also currently studying for my Master’s in counselling psychology through Yorkville University.

In my free time, I enjoy figure skating, teaching piano, and playing the oboe. Music has been a major part of my life since I was young, and I’m always searching for ways to grow musically in my work and personal life. My pronouns are he/him.

I am receiving new clients, if you would like to contact me directly, email me at trevor@connectinginrhythm.com

Len McCarthy

Len McCarthy Ph.D., MMT, MMus, MTA, MT-BC

I am an accredited music therapist with a Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University, and also hold a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from York University, and Masters of Music Education from the University of Toronto. I have interned at Toronto’s Baycrest Hospital and Sunnybrook Hospital, and have worked with adults and children in the Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph area for the past 4 years.  My clients have included children and adults with developmental delays, cognitive and/or physical impairments. My therapeutic philosophy is person-centered and strengths-based, rooted in Orff Music Therapy (a synthesis of speech. singing, movement, improvisation, and drama). When working with groups, I favor Community Music Therapy techniques that emphasize cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect.
I also have extensive experience as a bandleader and performer (keyboard, guitar, ukulele, woodwinds), composer, record producer and teacher (at elementary, secondary, and university levels).  I offer ukulele, guitar, and keyboard workshops to adults and music therapists in the KW area, focusing upon popular music techniques and strategies, at Music @ Green Gables, a Kitchener music school co-founded with my wife Jennifer Stacey (an early childhood music specialist).  I am also an award-winning songwriter, selected twice by the WFMT (World Federation of Music Therapy) to compose songs for events and conferences. My pronouns are he/him.

Mariah Story

Mariah Story BMT, MTA

I am an Accredited Music Therapist earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2019. I completed my music therapy internship at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario, where I honed a person-centered, resource-oriented, and humanistic approach to music therapy in a mental health setting. My clinical experience extends to children and adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities and long-term care. I am also an adapted music teacher through KiJengle Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy, teaching piano, guitar, and ukulele to a variety of students with exceptionalities.

As a practicing music therapist, clinician, and teacher, I strive to challenge and upend systems that perpetuate discrimination and stigma. I am passionate about empowering others with musical tools in order to reinforce growth and restore agency. My work embraces the holistic effectiveness of music, recognizing its impact on emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being. My pronouns are she/her.

I am accepting new clients, to contact me directly, email me at mariah@connectinginrhythm.com

Markeeta Thompson

Markeeta Thompson BMT

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy (BMT) from Acadia University, Wolfville Nova Scotia,  in May 2020. Prior to this degree, I pursued a degree in Fine Arts with music being the focus from 2015 to 2017 at the Barbados Community College, in my home country Barbados. I am a classically trained vocalist, but I am also proficient in piano, guitar, and drums. I have experience working with the following populations: individuals with developmental delays, Children, individuals with Autism, individuals from the deafblind community, Geriatrics and Hospice and Palliative Care.

Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based health profession, where music therapists use different kinds of musical experiences and interventions to address clinical domains such as cognitive, emotional, and social. As a music therapist, my goal is to meet clients where they are at and work alongside them to accomplish a variety of client-oriented goals. I am accepting new clients you can contact me directly at markeeta@connectinginrhythm.com. My pronouns are she/her.

Tiana Dick

Tiana Dick, BMT, MTA

I recently graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with a dual degree in performance and music therapy and a minor in psychology. I recently started my own business called Island Aria Music Therapy on Vancouver Island. I hope to be able to start new music therapy programs in medical facilities in British Columbia and offer new opportunities to music therapy interns in the future. My pronouns are she/her.

Hailey Davis, MTA

I completed my Bachelor’s of Music Therapy (BMT) from Acadia University (Wolfville, NS) in May 2021 and completed my internship with Connecting in Rhythm in March 2022. I am a classically trained flutist, studying under Jack Chen, but I also play guitar, hand drums, ukulele & piano. I am an advocate for disability activism, disability-preferred language and neurodivergent affirming practices within music therapy and our greater community. I have experience working with the Deafblind Community, the disabled community, developmental delays, Autistic people, and children. My goal is to meet clients where they are and then work together to accomplish their goals. My pronouns are she/they

Kaelyn McCallum (She/her), BMT

I recently completed my honours bachelor of music therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. I began my undergrad in the Community Music program at Laurier in the music therapy stream, where I learned about music from a variety of cultures as well as the impact music has on a whole in individuals and communities around the world. I completed my internship with Connecting In Rhythm in July 2022, working with various client demographics. I have experience with the Deafblind community, the disabled community, long-term care and early childhood programs.

I utilize evidence-based knowledge in my approach to find successful interventions for clients’ individualized goals and objectives. Meeting clients where they are comfortable and assisting in their growth in a client and family-centred way is very important to me. I also believe in the importance of musical play in sessions and love to get creative in the ways clients and I can achieve their goals.

I am located in Northern Ontario and am currently accepting new clients. I do a lot of hybrid and online work that allows me to work with clients from near and far! You can message me directly for inquiries at kaelyn@connectinginrhythm.com.

Callahan Connor, Master music therapy student intern

My name is Callahan, and I am currently working towards my Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University. I have completed internships at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Homewood Health Centre in Guelph – and I am deeply excited to be learning now at Connecting In Rhythm! My emerging clinical approach is client-centered and resource-oriented. I believe in music’s ability to reflect the deepest parts of people, and I want to help people connect to music for solace and strength on their healing journeys

I also have a BFA in Theatre Performance from Concordia University in Montreal (2012). My artistic journey has led me to write and perform spoken word poetry: I placed 2nd at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship in 2013, undertook a Spoken Word Residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 2015, and have toured feature performances of my poetry across Canada. My poetry is often surreal, absurd, or comedic; I am very interested in using rhythm and rhyme to simulate the joyous momentum of a mind moving, discovering, and making sense of things.

I was lucky to study tabla, sitar, and konnakkol while tutoring English in India for 2.5 years – these Indian Classical music traditions have inspired me greatly, especially in terms of their robust internalization of rhythm.

I enjoy cycling, composing, improvising, and playing games in my free time. My pronouns are he/him.

Mikayla Giorgio, Music Therapy Intern

My name is Mikayla Giorgio and I am currently in the process of completing my undergraduate degree of a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University. At the beginning of my undergraduate degree, I was part of the Community Music faculty at Laurier where I learned a lot about the value of music in every person’s life. Presently, I am an intern at Connecting in Rhythm and am really excited for the journey ahead. At the moment I am working with diverse groups of people ranging from the elderly with dementia, adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities, and with the Bridges shelter organization.

My emerging clinical approach is music-centred and is influenced by feminist theory, trauma-informed approach, and developmental theory. I believe in music’s ability to be a bridge of communication between two people: client, and therapist. I am looking forward to gaining more insight and knowledge in the music therapy field throughout my internship with Connecting in Rhythm. My pronouns are she/her.

Abby Rocha

Abby Rocha, Administrative Assistant

My name is Abby, and I am currently completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Indigenous Studies at Wilfred Laurier University. I can play the drums, piano, and clarinet. My plans for the future include earning a Master’s in counselling psychology and opening my own practice. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting, and other forms of visual arts. My pronouns are she/they.