Did you know that some of Harmony Garden’s own staff bring their family members in for weekly music therapy? This week, we’re highlighting one of the lucky music therapists who gets to provide music therapy to her co-worker’s children: Denise Travis, MM, MT-BC! Denise is the most experienced member of our music therapist crew, having recently celebrated her 20th anniversary as a board certified music therapist! Denise has been with Harmony Garden since late fall of 2022, starting first with our hospice program then adding in early childhood groups with ABC Academy and Dahlem Center a few months later, and eventually adding in one evening with 1:1 clients in the clinic one day a week.
In addition to lending her talents to us part-time, Denise has spent many years working at the Michigan State University community music school and various other locations, where she has led early childhood classes and seen individuals for therapy for a number of years. Denise lends thoughtful insight into staff conversations and also brings a concentrated level of dedication to the profession that shines through in the attention to detail and care she puts into every session moment, every written goal, and in every talk with parents and caregivers she has.
Q: If you could have lunch with any musician in history, who would it be?
A: Philip Glass
Q: What is something you love to do outside of work?
A: Play with my trivia team and ride my bike all over this beautiful state!
Q: What inspired you to explore music therapy?
A: I wanted to narrow down my psychology major focus – after talking to the head of the music therapy department at MSU, and getting to observe a music therapy session at the student clinic, I knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life!
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: I love using music to help make connections between people and between ideas.
We are so very blessed to have Denise on our team and are excited to recognize her and share more about her with you!
