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AboutKirstie Gallacher-Ang, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist and the owner of Rubato Music Therapy, where she provides music therapy services and lessons for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She previously worked at a day program for 7 years, and completed music therapy fieldwork in after-school arts organizations, memory care, and outpatient rehabilitation for substance abuse.
Kirstie holds her MA in Teaching - Special Education from Western Governors University. She earned her Music Therapy Equivalency Degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.A. in Music Industry Studies. Kirstie is trained in Person Centered Thinking through The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices. In her free time, Kirstie enjoys reading, crafting, and cuddling with her hairless guinea pigs, Fred and George. |
Why Music Therapy?
"I became a music therapist because of the ways that music has touched my life. During high school, I played flute in a wind ensemble. On our annual tours, we would visit schools, hospitals, day programs, soup kitchens, churches - you name it! I saw firsthand how music could bring joy and establish a connection between complete strangers. On a more personal level, I used to play my flute and sing to my Grandad, who had Alzheimer's. I noticed that he would still move his feet to the music, even when he no longer spoke. Music helped me to communicate with him. Around that time, I also began playing guitar and writing my own songs to express myself. Like other teenagers, I was constantly listening to music. I found that music could either reflect my current mood or influence my mood. As a board-certified music therapist, I'm trained to use music experiences like these to help others in a positive and meaningful way."
~ Kirstie Gallacher-Ang, MT-BC, owner
"I became a music therapist because of the ways that music has touched my life. During high school, I played flute in a wind ensemble. On our annual tours, we would visit schools, hospitals, day programs, soup kitchens, churches - you name it! I saw firsthand how music could bring joy and establish a connection between complete strangers. On a more personal level, I used to play my flute and sing to my Grandad, who had Alzheimer's. I noticed that he would still move his feet to the music, even when he no longer spoke. Music helped me to communicate with him. Around that time, I also began playing guitar and writing my own songs to express myself. Like other teenagers, I was constantly listening to music. I found that music could either reflect my current mood or influence my mood. As a board-certified music therapist, I'm trained to use music experiences like these to help others in a positive and meaningful way."
~ Kirstie Gallacher-Ang, MT-BC, owner