Merging music with recreation and leisure studies in the aging, health, and well-being program
From the moment Taylor picked up a guitar at age 16, music became both her passion and her path. As a young singer/songwriter, she quickly made her mark in the Canadian music scene, even winning the Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist Mentorship Prize at 19. But while the music industry offered her success, she felt a deeper calling—one that would connect her love for music with her desire to support others through health and well-being. This led her to the field of music therapy and, ultimately, to a transformative journey in the PhD Recreation and Leisure Studies - Aging, Health, and Well-being program at the University of Waterloo.
While working at a long-term care home in Toronto, Taylor developed a music therapy room and studio for residents to create and record music, focusing on the therapeutic potential of songwriting for people living with dementia. Through this work, she saw firsthand the significant role that leisure activities like music could play in improving quality of life.
However, she soon realized that many dementia care programs and specifically research on this topic, approached music and other creative activities from a medicalized, functional perspective—focusing mainly on memory recall or behavior management. This limited the true potential of music to enrich lives. Seeking a different approach, Taylor reached out to Sherry L. Dupuis. The conversation became the turning point in Taylor’s academic journey, leading her to pursue a PhD in the program.
Taylor’s research challenges the biomedical framing of music therapy in the dementia context, instead emphasizing approaches to music therapy which focus on the nurturing of relationships and community. Her work integrates a broader, more inclusive perspective of music therapy in dementia care—one that values creativity, joy, and meaningful connection over purely functional outcomes. “Music can be a tool for better quality of life in ways that go beyond memory recall,” she explains. “It’s about fostering community, building relationships, and creating spaces where people feel valued.”
Her dissertation research includes a collaboration with Metalworks Studios to give people living with dementia the opportunity to record music professionally, offering them a platform to share their stories and defy stereotypes. “We’re not just supporting participants in making music; we’re supporting them in being seen and heard as individuals with complex identities,” she says.
Taylor’s work with Reimagining Dementia, a creative coalition for justice has also been transformative. During the pandemic, the coalition came together to write, and record Let’s Reimagine, a song highlighting the voices of people living with dementia and emphasizing the possibilities for joy and growth. As a songwriter and coalition member, Taylor helped lead the project, which has sparked conversations about dementia and stigma. “This project showed how the arts, and specifically music, can be a powerful tool for social change,” she says.
Throughout her research and practice, Taylor remains committed to the core principles of Recreation and Leisure Studies: creating spaces for joy, meaning, and community, regardless of age or health condition. Her academic journey has empowered her to merge creative passions with rigorous research, challenging traditional ideas about aging, health, and well-being.
Looking ahead to her graduation in 2025, Taylor feels fulfilled knowing her work will continue to inspire and create more inclusive, compassionate communities for all ages. She says, “If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, especially on older adults, and want to approach it from a creative, relationship-centered perspective, this program is a perfect fit. It embraces innovation, encourages bold ideas, and challenges traditional thinking. It’s about creating opportunities for transformation and making a real difference.”
When I started the program, it felt like I was learning a new language. Coming from a neuroscience background, I had never done qualitative research before, so this program was a big shift. But the focus on aging, health, and well-being, particularly within the context of recreation and leisure, challenged me to think about the holistic needs of individuals—not just as patients or clients, but as people with unique experiences, needs, and desires.