Dear Residents, Families, and Friends,
My name is Marie Garner, and I am honored to be joining the wonderful Kensington Park team as a music therapist!
A little bit about my background: I grew up on a farm in Greenville, NC. My whole family is musical, and I grew up singing and playing the violin and trumpet in many different ensembles. When I was a little girl, some of my favorite memories were of my family and I performing in senior living communities in our area. The response to music was always so heartwarming and began my passion for sharing music with others.
I studied music therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am a board-certified (MT-BC) and licensed (LPMT) music therapist. I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of populations in group and one-on-one formats, including children and teens with developmental disabilities, older adults in memory care, grief support groups, and hospice care. After two and a half years in Florida working as a music therapist in hospice, I was a memory care coordinator in Northern Virginia creating and implementing multi-sensory programming for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking and spending time outdoors. I am excited to begin creating meaningful and enjoyable experiences through music for our Kensington Park residents!
For more information on Music Therapy or Brain Wellness, contact Julia McCarren at jmccarren@kensingtonsl.com.