Aaron Lightstone is an MTA (Music Therapist Accredited) who is regarded as an innovator and expert in the field of music therapy.  He is a graduate of both the Bachelor and Master of Music Therapy programs at Wilfrid Laurier University (www.wlu.ca).  He completed his 1000 hour clinical internship in psychiatric music therapy in 1998 at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

Upon graduation in 2004 from the Master of Music Therapy program, Aaron won the faculty of music's prestigious Gold Medal for Academic Exellence for his research that was  based on his cutting edge clinical work involving the recording of original Hip Hop music with high-risk youth.   Aaron has  been called upon by the department of Music Therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University to teach music therapy courses and to supervise students in their music therapy practica. He has also been a frequent presenter  at national conferences, and association meetings.  Aaron brings a wealth of clinical experiences to his current work.   He has worked with individuals of all ages from 2-102 years old.   Participants in his sessions have presented a wide variety of clinical issues including; Autism spectrum disorders, addictions, acquired brain injury, ADHD, personality disorders, leaning disabilities, dementia, mental illness, and trauma.

 Aaron has studied various models and techniques of music therapy with internationally regarded clinicians.  In addition to his experience playing in rock, reggae, folk, and world music bands,  Aaron has studied  a variety of music traditions with master musicians from across the globe including; classical guitar, jazz, Arabic lute (oud), Hindustani (Indian) sitar, West African drumming, and Jewish folk music. In 1998  he spent almost a year as the Ethnomusicologist in Residence at The St. Lucia School of Music at Castries, St. Lucia, West Indes (www.lcmusicschool.com).  In St. Lucia he was responsible for collecting,recording, and transcribing over 50 of the Island's unique and endangered, Creole folk songs.     Aaron also works as a composer, bandleader and performing musician.

Most of Aaron's music therapy practice is done as contract work and consulting for various facilities and organizations.  For information about arranging music therapy services in your facility please click here, or call Aaron at 416 702 1797.    Current contract work includes a special education elementary school (www.shearim.ca) and a theraputic boarding school for youth recovering from addictions and other challenges (www.pineriverinstitute.com). Past contracts have included work for group homes, addictions treatment centres, shelters, and children's aid.   In these settings Aaron has woked with hundreds of people, helping them to realize their latent music skills,  build self-esteem, realize a higher quality of life, improve self control, gain insight, and many other life changing therapeutic goals. 

Aaron also maintains a private practice at The Music Therapy Centre in Toronto where he rents clinic space from the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund.  (www.musictherapytrustfund.com).    The Music Therapy Centre is a facility specially designed for music therapy sessions.  It is a centrally located, wheelchair accessible site, equipped with a variety of standard and adapted instruments that invite musical participation for people at every level of ability.  Aaron has been awarded with grants from The Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund for a number of music therapy projects that he has been involved with.

 When Aaron is working at the music therapy centre he supplements the Centre’s eclectic instrument collection with his own electric and flamenco guitars, electronic effects, percussion instruments such as Middle-Eastern hand drums, oriental gongs, synthesizers, drum machines,  and professional recording equipment..

 Aaron brings a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity to his work.  He has  worked in seven different countries in the fields of  ethnomusicology, humanitarian relief, cross-cultural education and in outdoor / experiential education.  

 Aaron has been a member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (www.musictherapy.ca ) for over ten years.

In addition to his work as a music therapist, Aaron also writes music for and performs with his world music groups Shakshuka , and The Huppah Project.      For more information on Aaron's work as a musician please see his myspace page at www.myspace/aaronlightstone.com