I graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Illinois University and entered the not for profit world, writing professionally for the Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada and Sick Kids Hospital. The adrenalin of performing and having a more dynamic creative life inspired my first solo business, Snap Music, where I ran music programs for babies and toddlers in private homes and community centres. Curiosity and compassion for the wide range of abilities of my clients motivated me to go back to school to obtain my certificate in expressive arts therapy - teaching me how to engage creatively in all the creative art modalities with special populations. Practicums and professional associations followed with many incredible organizations and their clients including Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, L'Arche Toronto, Addiction Rehab Toronto and the Muki Baum Accessibility Foundation. When I began working with people living with dementia (plwD) at the University Health Network's Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy everything clicked for me. Participants taught me so much about our shared humanity, the value of lived experience and authenticity. I have been working with isolated seniors, plwD and their care partners ever since.