About Us | Our Team

Jennifer Buchanan
MBA, MTA / Founder and President
As the Founder and President of JB Music Therapy, Jennifer has helped advance the profession by bringing together a team of highly skilled therapists dedicated to excellence and becoming a keynote speaker and author in the domain. As the Past-President and Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT), Jennifer has contributed to shaping national standards and practices. Now, as a Director at the National Music Centre (NMC) and an ambassador for music and health initiatives, she continues to inspire and drive innovation in the field.

Matthew Crist
Full Stack Developer
Matthew is a Calgary-based full-stack developer and Professional Engineer (P.Eng) with over 15 years of experience designing and building scalable, user-focused software systems. A graduate of the University of Calgary, his work spans cloud-based applications, real-time simulation, and healthcare technology, including medical imaging platforms that support clinical insight and decision-making. Matthew is excited to contribute to Wellplayed’s mission of combining music, health, and technology to support meaningful wellness experiences.

Aaron Crowe
Music Therapy Intern
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Aaron had completed the Addiction Studies Diploma program at Bow Valley College, quickly realizing the impact that music has towards individual wellbeing and developing a sense of community. He is currently completing the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University while interning for JB. Aaron is
passionate about utilizing improvisation along with a client-centred approach in order to help others develop their ability to express themselves through music.

Andrea Curry-Hansell
CMT, NMT, MTA
Originally from Sydney Nova Scotia, Andrea graduated from the Music Therapy Program at Acadia University after 2 years in the Jazz Vocal improvisation program at St. Francis Xavier, and 2 years of the Classical voice program at Dalhousie University. Andrea has advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy to help overcome and rehabilitate speech, motor movement and life skills post-brain injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease- among other neurological impairments). Andrea is a singer-songwriter with three studio albums to her credit.

Nadine De Bruyn
BMT, MTA / Internship Supervisor and Clinical Support
Nadine is a born and raised Calgarian. She completed her internship at JB Music Therapy after graduating from Acadia University. Nadine is honoured to be a part of the JBMT team and is passionate about the community it serves. Nadine is driven by the positive growth that music motivates in her clients and the beautiful moments of connection that stem from collaborative music-making.

Jessica Guest
Accounts Manager
Jessica was born and raised in BC, but relocated to Alberta in 2013. While the lush terrain and salty air is missed, what better way is there to get through a long, cold, snowy winter than listening to music! Jessica has been bookkeeping for over 23 years with many clients in different industries. JB Music Therapy is by far the most passionate and inspiring team. She is honored to be a part of what they are doing and is excited to see what they do next.

Lisa Jacobs
BMT, MTA
Lisa graduated from Capilano University with a Bachelors of Music Therapy. She has a strength-based approach and values using music for connection (to oneself and to others). In addition to her work as a therapist, Lisa was awarded “Bass Player
of the Year” by the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) and can be found performing, writing and recording with a variety of artists. She sits on the board of the Western Canadian Music Alliance and is a former board member of the Music
Therapy Association of Alberta.

Pam Lansbergen
BMT, MTA / Business Operations Manager
Pam brings experience in relationship management and systems development, along with a deep understanding of the national music therapy landscape gained through her tenure with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT). She plays an integral role in advancing projects and integrating digital platforms to strengthen operations at JBMT. Outside of work, Pam is active in her local trail running and fitness communities and has served as Race Co-Director for Phoenix Trail Races in London, Ontario for the past five years, demonstrating a strong commitment to community involvement and personal well-being.

Andrea Lifton
Designer

Felicia Lifton
Research Assistant
Felicia is entering her final year of a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Alberta. She also served as a significant proofreader for Wellness, Wellplayed — the book that inspired the creation of the Wellplayed app (currently in development).

Emma Mabley
BMT, NMT, MTA / CARE Relations
Emma graduated from Capilano University with her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She is grateful to join the JB Music Therapy team in serving the Alberta community. Motivated by her belief in the connective power of music, Emma holds inclusivity and collaboration at the heart of her music therapy practice. She aims to support the empowerment and unique expression of each person she has the opportunity to work with.

Patrick McIntosh
MMT, NMT, MTA / Digital Exploration
Patrick McIntosh, originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Master of Music Therapy program after completing a Master of Vocal Performance at the University of Calgary. Through his work, Patrick strives to create meaningful connections with every one of his clients while providing a safe space to be themselves. He also aspires to continue his work with the various populations JBMT serves, and further his research into the uses of Digital Audio Workstations in clinical songwriting.

James Milne
Technical Director
James Milne brings over 30 years of experience in technology leadership, product development, and digital innovation to his role as Technical Director for the Wellplayed app. With a background spanning healthcare, education, and enterprise software, James specializes in building user-centered platforms that are both scalable and secure. His strategic insight and hands-on expertise ensure that Wellplayed’s tech foundation is strong, adaptable, and built for real-world impact.

Jessica Pereversoff
MMT, MTA
Jessica is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Master of Music Therapy program. She is an innovative and supportive music therapist known for her warmth, sensitivity, and professionalism. With experience in palliative care, bereavement, and women’s support, Jessica skillfully integrates psychotherapy with music, employing her violin, voice, and guitar.

Kate Pereversoff
BMT, MTA
Kate is glad to be part of the JB Music Therapy Team. She believes that within each music therapy session there is an opportunity to connect with others, learn something new, reminisce, and express oneself. Kate enjoys using familiar songs, improvisation and the violin to facilitate sessions. This Acadia University graduate likes the ocean, but the mountains are where she would call home.

Laurie Perez
BA, NMT, MTA / Internship Supervisor and Clinical Support
Laurie has completed the graduate certificate music therapy program at Concordia University. Laurie is thrilled and grateful to be a part of the JBMT team. She is dedicated to influencing others through the healing power of music. Laurie’s gift to create an environment of freedom using music creates a warm, nurturing environment for all ages and abilities.

Ruoyan (Renee) Pi
B.A., BMus / Research Coordinator
Renee recently graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts (First-Class Honours) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance, with Distinction). She has now started her Master of Public Policy in Digital Society at McMaster University.

Shannon Robinson
BMT, MTA / Head of Operations - Clinical Services
As a Music Therapist since 1999, Shannon brings decades of experience working with children, adults, and seniors. She believes in the power of music to connect, heal, and inspire growth. Shannon is passionate about creating services that are responsive, relationship-centred, and grounded in strong clinical practice. In her role as Head of Operations – Clinical Services, she is committed to mentoring a team that shares her passion for this work, while focusing on fostering meaningful connections and effective engagement with every client.

Emma Rose
MA, NMT, MTA / Hospital Lead
Emma was born and raised in Alberta. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance at McGill University, Emma completed her Masters of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies – Music Therapy at Concordia University. Emma is honoured to be settled at home working with the JB Music Therapy team and sharing her passion for music to promote wellness and empowerment.

Satoki Shirosaka
Full Stack Developer
Satoshi is a Full Stack Developer focused on building efficient and scalable applications, with a strong passion for problem-solving and continuously learning new technologies. He has extensive experience working on large-scale open-source projects. Outside of development, he enjoys playing musical instruments such as the classical guitar, keyboard, and more.

Sarah Van Peteghen
BMT, MTA / Clinical Supervision
Sarah is a certified music therapist and a born and bred Métis and Albertan. After travelling extensively, she completed her music therapy degree at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. In addition to serving clients at home, in hospitals and in long-term care, she also offers professional supervision to the JB Music Therapy team.

Lauren Vocioni
BMT, NMT, MTA
Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Capilano University after completing a Music Diploma with a major in Vocal Performance at MacEwan University. Guided by a deep passion for fostering human connection through music, she brings a warm and empathetic approach to her music therapy practice. Lauren is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all ages and abilities, where clients feel supported to express themselves freely and authentically.

Rebecca Woodruff
BSc, MTA
Rebecca graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy and completed further training in Neurologic Music Therapy ®. In her practice, Rebecca utilizes: voice, guitar, piano, and harp. She employs warmth and a tailored approach to build on the strengths of each client. Rebecca greatly enjoys working with individuals from the diverse populations served by JB Music Therapy.
