Joanne’s Music is good for the soul.
reviews
“Gifted at Connecting”
“Joanne demonstrated exceptional facilitation skills and a warm rapport with participants… She is extremely gifted at connecting with people through community music-making, and has years of experience facilitating music programs in community settings, particularly long-term care and programs for people living with dementia.”
~Catherine McInnes, (former/retired) Specialist, London Arts Council
“Caring, Non-Judgmental”
“Joanne has been matched with several palliative clients in the community…. She has established trusting relationships with these individuals and their family members when applicable. She shows a very caring, non-judgmental attitude towards our clients… [she] provides an atmosphere where palliative clients can relax and enjoy the experience.”
~Carla McDonald, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London
“Environment of Calm”
“Joanne is especially focused on the effects that music has on our Alzheimer clientele. The benefits of music in relation to this specific population have long been recognized to involve increased socialization, cognitive recall and emotional reaction. The music can create an environment of calm and reduced agitation among the residents allowing for a greater sense of well being.”
~Marion Hutchinson, Woodingford Lodge
“Beneficial to Residents and Caregivers”
“We attend all these singalongs with the other residents and visitors and really enjoy them, live music and song have a profound effect on people with dementia… ‘Down Memory Lane’ musical visits are very beneficial to both residents and caregivers.”
~Ron R., from Woodingford Lodge, Woodstock
“Incredible Musical Stories”
“McCormick Dementia Services has been fortunate to collaborate with Joanne Does on two initiatives. Our clients, caregivers and staff immediately feel comfortable in a group by Joanne’s patient, pleasant, and personal approach. This encourages clients with dementia to work with her to write songs that are meaningful to them. Joanne’s musical abilities are the cherry on top of our client created works of art. We look forward to continuing to work with Joanne to help us create these incredible musical stories.”
~Becky Clark, Day Program Manager, McCormick Dementia Services https://www.mccormickcaregroup.ca/mccormick-dementia-services-2-2/caregiverscorner/
“We Sing and Dance and Share Our Love of Music Together”
“Joanne Does has been providing many years of therapeutic music to our Adult Day Program. Our clients look forward to her visits. She is able to engage a whole room of clients for the hour she is here. We sing and dance and share our love of music together. She possesses such a caring and therapeutic spirit and is an important part of our Adult Day Program. It wouldn’t be the same without her. She would be a great addition to any program.”
~Paula Henderson, Recreation Therapist, Valleyview Adult Day Program
“Community Where Everybody Belongs”
“[Joanne’s] enthusiasm and ability to reach out to those who cannot easily express themselves is commendable… Joanne supports our vision of “community where everybody belongs” through her commitment to people with developmental disabilities to have lifelong opportunities to grow and develop to their maximum potential.”
~Shannon Lang, Manager of Day Programs, Woodstock & District Developmental Services
“Patience and Uplifting Spirit”
“Joanne’s musical talent, flexibility, patience, calm demeanor, uplifting spirit, and musical talent are a gift to the people she has played for at the Alzheimer Society of Oxford.”
~Rhonda Crouse, Alzheimer Society Oxford
zoom
testimonials
“A way to continue providing comfort & joy”
“With all the challenges we are facing right now, having Joanne Does provide us with her wonderful, live Zoom shows is such a treat! Her amazing voice brings our staff and residents such pleasure and her ability to interact through this media platform is the next best thing to having her right here with us again. Thank you Joanne, for finding a way to continue providing comfort and joy to our residents and staff!”
~Patricia Godfrey, Coordinator of Programs, Woodingford Lodge, Woodstock, ON
“Thank you for sharing your talents”
“Thank you for your series of videos. Our families consistently enjoy your wonderful work. I have sent your videos to families, used them for programs, and even as a reference for other performers so they have a better idea of how to position themselves, choose appropriate music, engage with our clients, etc. Thank you for sharing your talents with our clients and their families.”
~Allison Roberts, MSW, LCSW Martha’s Vineyard Centre For Living, Vineyard Haven MA
Joanne Does has been entertaining clients with dementia since August 2020 via zoom. She has done several Province-wide sing-alongs as well as local sing-alongs for just the Alzheimer Society of Oxford. Several clients email me their song requests and often share why they have chosen certain songs for Joanne to sing. Music often brings back memories and that is what is so very special to people living with dementia. Every memory is sacred. Joanne is a very professional artist as she adapts to each group and connects with every audience member. Her caring spirit is very evident as she gifts us with her talent. We are very honoured to have her perform for us on a regular basis.
~Anita Dahl, Social Recreation Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Oxford https://alzheimer.ca/oxford/en/home
Joanne Does Music 