Services
We are Canada's Leading Centre for Music Therapy and Wellness
Music Therapy Services
Music therapy harnesses the transformative power of music to support health and well-being through individualized, therapeutic activities. At the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Centre for Music Therapy and Wellness, certified therapists provide inclusive, tailored sessions to help clients of all ages and abilities thrive emotionally, physically, and socially.
Learn About our Services
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the intentional use of music by a certified music therapist to support health and well-being. It combines the power of music with therapeutic techniques to achieve specific physical, emotional, cognitive, and social goals.
Through activities like singing, playing instruments, songwriting, and listening to music, individuals of all ages and abilities can explore and express emotions, improve communication, manage stress, and enhance their quality of life.
Our activities are tailored to meet each client’s unique needs, creating a safe, inclusive space for healing and growth.
Discover how music can transform lives and support wellness.
Who is Music Therapy For?
Music therapy is for anyone who can benefit from the power of music to enhance their well-being. It supports individuals of all ages and abilities, including those with:
- Developmental challenges
- Physical challenges
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Sensory impairments
- Learning difficulties
- Brain injuries
- Conduct or behavioral disorders
- Mental health recovery from life events, substance abuse, or illness
- Strokes, Alzheimer’s, or dementia
- Palliative care needs
We tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of each client, empowering them to thrive through music.
How Music Therapy Helps
- Singing enhances communication, speech and language, articulation, breath control, emotional expression, and listening skills.
- Instrument playing improves motor skills (dexterity, coordination, strength) and social skills (self-esteem, cooperation).
- Rhythmic movement and dance support mobility, agility, balance, and physical endurance while fostering relaxation.
- Improvisation provides a creative outlet for expressing emotions and encourages decision-making in a structured, supportive setting.
- Composition develops collaboration, idea-sharing, and social interaction.
- Active listening strengthens cognitive skills like attention, memory, and auditory perception.
We tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of each client, empowering them to thrive through music.
What Happens in Music Therapy Sessions?
Music therapists design activities to meet individual needs and achieve therapeutic outcomes. They are trained to use various communication models, including signing and picture exchange, as requested.
Our studios are equipped with a wide variety of instruments and tools, including grand pianos, percussion instruments (drums, chimes, handbells, wood blocks, etc.), electric and acoustic guitars, adapted therapeutic devices (Stretchy Bands, mallets, etc.), and electronic equipment such as keyboards, computers, microphones, and recording capabilities.
Specialized programs available on request:
- Neurological music therapy (e.g., stroke recovery)
- Relaxation sessions
- Music visualization and imagery
- Guided imagery and music (Bonny Method)
- Creative arts exploration
- Hand bell choir (Suzuki tone chime bells)
Where are Music Therapy Sessions Offered?
- At our locations: Sessions are available at the Conservatory’s two campuses, located in Victoria and Langford, as well as through online platforms, ensuring accessibility for participants near and far.
- Institutional/Community sessions: For organizations or community groups, we can bring sessions directly to your location. Online sessions are also available, offering flexibility and convenience.
Services and Costs
Individual in-house sessions:
- What: Session lengths are set depending on needs and challenges, as well as the age of the participant(s).
- Where: Offered at the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s two locations (Victoria and Langford) as well as online.
- When: Commitment of one year. Sessions purchased incrementally in 30, 45, or 60 minute durations.
- Cost: Music therapist’s set hourly rate starts at $91/hour for sessions at Victoria Conservatory of Music locations. The hourly rate is the same for private and group sessions.
- Learn more by emailing Dr. Johanne Brodeur at brodeur[at]vcm.bc.ca.
Institutional/ Community Sessions:
- What: Session lengths are set depending on needs and challenges, as well as the age of the participant(s).
- Where: Our Music Therapist comes to you. Online sessions are also offered.
- When: Commitment of one year. Sessions purchased incrementally in 30, 45, or 60 minute durations.
- Cost: Music therapist’s set hourly rate starts at $71/hour, plus mileage fee.
- Learn more by emailing Dr. Johanne Brodeur at brodeur[at]vcm.bc.ca.
Summer Camps:
- What: Music Therapy Summer Camps are ONLY for children/youth with special needs’ designations (e.g: autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, sensory impairment, attention deficit disorder, complex health challenges, etc.). Young children (under 3 years old) sometimes do not yet have a designation as assessment is in progress. These children may be accepted in the camp without designation as long as the symptoms meet the special needs requirement.
- Where: Offered at the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s two locations (Victoria and Langford).
- When: Music Therapy Summer Camps are typically offered in June and July each year. Registration typically opens May 1.
- Cost: These camps are offered for free but have limited space available.
- Learn more by emailing Dr. Johanne Brodeur at brodeur[at]vcm.bc.ca.
Public Events:
- Senior music therapists are also available for speaking engagements, keynote addresses and workshop presentations.
Real Stories, Real Impact
At the Centre for Music Therapy and Wellness, music supports families in meaningful ways and builds community. Here’s what they’ve shared with us.
“Watching my daughter experience the power of music in such a meaningful way has been truly moving. It not only given her a chance to connect and express herselve, but it has also provided our entire family with joy. The positive changes we’ve seen mean the world to us. Thank you again for making this possible.”– K’s Dad
“Monday’s are always looked forward to so much because its “music day!” I frequently hear them singing songs from the sessions and they love to play music therapy by getting out instruments and “practicing” what they learned in the previous week’s session. In a sea of weekly appointments and things that they have to do music is a refreshing highlight that brings such joy. ”— T and Family
“The impact of the music therapy sessions are fantastic; my daughter is improving her language skills and the ability to process language. Playing an instrument is helping her coordination and motor control, and the social interaction with her friends in the music group has been wonderful as they have been together for almost four years. ”— G’s Family
“The music therapy sessions are so loved by our child. He plays, learns, makes friends and feels included and celebrated for his abilities instead of judged by his disabilities. It is inherently invaluable and accessible. The joy and confidence he brings back from each session, whether virtual or in person, is what makes these sessions a mainstay in his life. These sessions are his most loved experience. They foster friendships, community, physical and mental well-being. They are a safe space to be authentically a kid. Thank you for helping him live his best childhood.”— L’s Family
“Dr. J is THE child whisperer, always reading the child in the moment, knowing when something is not right, altering instruments, play, music, child position, lights, etc. to ensure each child is truly engaged and learning at all time. She is truly phenomenal! She is in the moment and focus entirely on each child every second of their sessions. Ask anyone and they will all tell you the same thing. ”— Nurse accompanying many children to MT sessions
Claudia’s Story: Benny’s Journey
Claudia Blum shared this story during our Centre for Music Therapy and Wellness launch reception in February 2025.
“My name is Claudia Blum. I have served on the Victoria Conservatory of Music Board of Governors for 6 years and I am still a member of the Marketing Committee. My very first connection with the Conservatory goes back to 2010 when my son was in the Music Therapy program.
My husband & I moved to Victoria (from Germany) in 2003 when I was 8 months pregnant. We already knew that our son has a very rare and complicated heart defect. Benny was born with several major health issues, undergoing his first open heart surgery at the age of 3 months. His whole physical and cognitive development was significantly delayed. He only started to walk at the age of 19 months and started talking at the age of two. Despite all the therapies, when he was 6 years old, his younger sister had overtaken him in every aspect.
Our son has received every possible therapy. Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Art Therapy, literally every available Therapy. It was basically a full time job to coordinate and attend all the Doctor’s and Therapy appointments. My son was a very anxious child and would never do any therapy without me in the room. Until one day, in this building, when he didn’t mind me leaving the room and staying on his own with Allan for his Music Therapy session. I vividly remember standing in the hallway totally surprised that Benny had no problem being on his own. I will also always remember my son’s smile after the sessions and how proud he was to tell me or show me what he was able to do with the instruments. While my son couldn’t necessarily communicate why he enjoyed Music Therapy so much, I believe that for the first time in his life something felt easy and the instruments gave him positive feedback and a sense of accomplishment. For the first time, he was able to achieve something on his own and with no other child in the room who was better than him. Whatever approach Allan used with my son, it sure had made a big difference and had an incredibly positive impact on his confidence.
Thank you, Allan and thank you Victoria Conservatory of Music.”
— Claudia Blum, Victoria Conservatory Board of Governors Member.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance toward music therapy sessions is available and awarded throughout the year depending on availability. Learn more by contacting Dr. Johanne Brodeur at 250.386.5311, brodeur[at]vcm.bc.ca