Recognized Music Therapy Alumni

A degree in action, helping where it matters most!

by Shelley Kean

For the many children in Bosnia-Herzegovina who lived through the horrors of a civil war, Alpha Woodward’s Capilano University Music Therapy bachelor degree means the difference between a normal life and one filled with nightmares of conflict.

Through Alpha’s work, and the work of so many others like her, the children of Bosnia who have suffered from war-related mental and physical injuries, are slowly putting their lives back together. Alpha has spent the past two years providing music therapy to these children at the Pavarotti Music Centre based in Mostar, Bosnia. The Centre is a project that was initially supported by funds raised through the sale of a music CD created by Pavarotti, David Bowie and Brian Eno.

“In our western culture, we forget about each war when the cameras turn in another direction,” Alpha said, “but the long term impact of war on health and quality of life are real. Knowing you are making a difference is the biggest reward anyone can have in their life work and the people here are very grateful for that.”

Alpha graduated at the age of 46 from Capilano’s four-year Music Therapy Bachelor's Degree program in 1994. She then continued her education through B.C.’s Open University distance curriculum, acquiring her master’s degree in 1998.

“I would have to say that the program at Capilano was one of the most enriching, meaningful programs I have ever taken – a real life changing experience,” Alpha said. “My life truly got on track and went forward as a result of this training.”

After completing her course work at Capilano, Alpha worked as the professional practice leader for music therapy at Providence Health Care. Ten years later, she decided to take a leave of absence to work temporarily at the Pavarotti Music Centre, where she has been ever since.

“I decided to stay on here,” she explained, “because the work was needed in the community and I was the only one at that time that was able to do it.

“Being here has changed me in profound ways,” she continued. “It will take a long time to process the affect Mostar and its people have had on me. But I know that I see the world differently now. It’s not possible to look into the face of mass grief and not be affected at deep levels.”

Alpha’s job has also brought some happier moments to her life. For instance, she has had the opportunity to meet Prince Charles and British actress Vanessa Redgrave. And, despite all the sorrow she sees on a daily basis, she truly believes she is living a charmed life. She attributes her time at Capilano for much of it.

“I am really blessed to have had such awesome teachers as those at Capilano University,” she said. “The training there is world-class and I base this on the access I now have to European music therapists and training in that field. Although we are now colleagues, I consider my instructors there as mentors and I have enormous respect for all of them.”

What’s a Capilanou University degree worth? Ask Dr. Kerr

by Shelley Kean

People worldwide who are living with or trying to alleviate the anguish caused by HIV/AIDS and addiction are benefiting from Dr. Thomas Kerr’s Capilano University degree.

Dr. Kerr was studying music at Montreal’s Concordia University in 1990 when he heard about the Music Therapy Bachelor's Degree program at Capilano University . His decision to move west to take the bachelor program would lead him 16 years later to his present positions as a research scientist with the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and as a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at the University of British Columbia.

“Capilano University provided me with some of the best training I received in my post-secondary education,” said the researcher whose work has been highlighted in a number of medical journals, including the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine. “I would rate it right near the top of the six institutions I’ve attended. The quality of education was outstanding and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if it wasn’t for my time there.”

Dr. Kerr left Capilano in 1994 and went on to complete his PhD at the University of Victoria in 2003, but he said it was through his music therapy training that he became interested in working in HIV/AIDS research. A key focus of his work has been the scientific evaluation of Insite, North America’s first safer injecting facility, and his research in this area has contributed significantly to academic, public, and government discussion, both nationally and internationally. As a project manager at the Harm Reduction Action Society, he authored Canada’s first supervised injection site proposal. He has also volunteered with numerous community-based HIV/AIDS organizations.

“The work is extremely meaningful to me,” explained the recent recipient of an AccolAIDS Award from the B.C. Persons With AIDS Society. “We’re doing important research that leads to policies and programs that will improve the lives of those living on the margins of society.”