Alison Kenny-Gardhouse 

I believe in the power of music to heal and inspire, and know, without any hesitation, that music helps to build the strong bonds of community that sustain us as human beings. I have witnessed this power many times through my work as an arts consultant, educator and program developer.

I am honored to lend my support to the thoughtful work that Room 217 Music Care is undertaking and particularly love that Music Care programs are developed using evidence-based research and follow a feedback loop of reflection and refinement. 

Mostly though, I love the JOY that emanates from the Room 217 team and the groups they are training in the use of that superpower…music!

Alison is founder and president of Connexionarts, an arts consulting firm noted for its leadership in the development of education models, teacher and artist training and arts-based education resources. She has worked with major arts organizations across Canada and the US, including GRAMMY Foundation, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco’s Word for Word, Cleveland Orchestra, Opera Lyra Ottawa, and Tafelmusik. She has authored numerous study guides, guidelines and professional development for teaching artists (e.g. for the NAC's Music Alive Program), and online multi-media learning collections (Virtual Museum of Canada). Most recently,