Dawn Emrick Heads ACEF’s Music Therapy and Pediatric Cancer Program
Dawn Emrick, MT-BC, graduated from Michigan State University, with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree after completing a 9-month internship with Detroit Public Schools. Upon earning board certification in 2003, she opened Lakeshore Music Therapy Services in Holland, Michigan.
Ms. Emrick primarily contracts with schools, providing music therapy to students in the special education setting. Much of her work is with students who are non-verbal, non-ambulatory, and may have severe autism, behavioral disorders, or multiple impairments. As part of an interdisciplinary team, she enjoys using music to aid students in identifying and communicating their personal preferences and true inner voice. Private services offered through Lakeshore Music Therapy include adapted instrument and dance instruction for children and adults with special needs.
Over the course of her career Dawn has provided music therapy in skilled-nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation units, as well as short term music therapy in retreat settings such as youth-bereavement for Visiting Nurses of Ingham County, and music relaxation for persons with body-focused repetitive behaviors for the Trichotillomania Learning Center.
Dawn completed Level I training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery in Music through St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. She served on the board of Michigan Music Therapists from 2004-2010 as treasurer and Vice President.
Professional presentations include workshops for the American Music Therapy Association (Picking, Pulling, Strumming: Music Therapy and Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders), Michigan Music Therapists (Marketing and Self-Publishing for Small Business), and Anxiety Resource Center (Music Listening for at-home Anxiety Management).
Dawn is also trained as a disaster response volunteer for Children’s Disaster Services, providing emergency child care services after hurricanes, tornadoes, and other mass disasters. She leads service based work-camps throughout the eastern U.S. for middle and senior high youth as a part of the Church of the Brethren. Dawn enjoys ballet, classical singing, cake decorating, sewing, & walking outdoors.