Music therapy graduate helps patients heal with hope and harmony

Kathleen Montes began her career as a music teacher, but when her father passed away from cancer, she realized music therapy was her true calling.

While in hospice care, her father’s ability to speak declined, but his love of music persisted. During his final days, when language evaded him, he was still humming along to anything with a tune 一 from ringtones to TV show theme songs.

While pursuing her Master of Music Therapy degree at TWU, Kathleen advocated for her own clinical training path in hospice care. She spent her last few semesters completing an internship at Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas, and she has since been offered a full-time job there as a music therapist.

The pandemic wasn’t the only challenge Kathleen faced this year. In the midst of patient facility closures and financial hardship, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 

When she graduates this December, Kathleen will begin her new career as a source of comfort, joy and positive memories for her patients and their families. In times of great need, we all hope to have someone like Kathleen and the power of music by our side.

Page last updated 6:23 PM, December 7, 2020