Annette Longhurst
Annette O. Longhurst, MT-BC, is currently employed as the music therapist at The Sunshine Terrace Adult Day Center in Logan, UT, where she works with adults who have a wide range of diagnoses. Annette is also an adjunct faculty member of Utah State University serving as a practicum field supervisor for music therapy students.
Annette entered the field of music therapy after raising a family of six children. During the years of child-raising she was active in supporting and promoting the fine arts in the community. She provided music/art appreciation seminars in elementary classrooms, authored and presented educational music programs for senior citizens, volunteered in the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and the Tacoma Opera Volunteer Corps, and served as the Tacoma area liaison for the Utah Festival Opera Company. She also sang in the Tacoma Opera Association Chorus and regional and local church
choruses in the state of Washington.
Annette taught piano lessons for 16 years, including teaching children with mental and neurological challenges. She worked as a teacher’s aide in the Washington State Head Start program with children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and emotional disturbances. One of her greatest challenges came when she became the primary care provider for her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. All of these experiences with persons who had disabilities of various kinds influenced her to consider a career in music therapy.
After moving to Utah, Annette did volunteer work for Utah Festival Opera Company, The Sunshine Terrace Adult Day Center, and Hospice of Cache Valley. She became a certified nurse’s aide and worked at the Sunshine Terrace Rehabilitation Center and Adult Day Center until her mother’s death. As her father became increasingly incapacitated with age she became the care provider for him also. These experiences deepened her desire to become a music therapist and further prepare herself for work with elderly individuals
by pursing a gerontology certificate as well.
Annette was the recipient of many scholarships which enabled her to return to school and complete her academic training. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Utah State University wit a Bachelor of Science degree in music therapy and a gerontology certificate. She considers it a great honor to use music (which is such a vital part of who she is) to serve elderly individuals and others with special needs.
Annette’s interests outside of music include literature, poetry,
camping, and interacting with her eleven grandchildren.
annettel6@sunshineterrace.com
< Return to Therapists List |
