Biography
Barbara began singing at the age of three and music has remained a life-long passion since then. She has sung in a variety of settings, from large performance halls to intimate settings with a dying patient and family gathered. For Barbara, music is the language she uses to communicate ideas, truth, joy and sadness.
Barbara is an accomplished musician, composer and songwriter. Her CD “The Sparrow Takes Flight” highlights many of her original compositions. The songs she writes are often a reflection of life in general, community, parenting and her work in music therapy and social work. Styles of music she performs can range from folk to jazz to classical. She is particularly gifted in her interpretations of traditional Celtic music. In addition to singing, Barbara plays guitar, piano, recorder and assorted folk instruments. .
Barbara received her degree in Music Therapy in 1982 from Michigan State University; this is a music degree and voice was her primary instrument of focus. It is in this area of study and work that she has been most able reach a diverse array of people, from homeless youth to persons with AIDS to older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 1987, she received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington. Her social work experiences include hospital and medical based work as well as areas of mental health. In her professional work, she has found the combination of music therapy with social work to be invaluable. This promotes a more systemic approach allowing for deeper experiences and greater opportunities for healing.
In 1988, she spent a year living in New Zealand (Aotearoa) studying ethnomusicology at Victoria University. This experience broadened her musical horizons well beyond the American and European music that is so prevalent in the United States. Her primary focus in these studies was to look at how other cultures use the arts (specifically music) to address social concerns and challenges. This is has become a lifelong interest of hers, particularly in her work with music in community based settings.
Barbara is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a member of the American Music Therapy Association. She is also a founding member of the Music Therapy Association of Washington. Barbara also writes a monthly column for Victory Review entitled “Accents on Music Therapy.” Victory Review is the monthly publication (circulation 3500) of Victory Music, a northwest regional organization supporting acoustic music (www.victorymusic.org).
