Alee’s story

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When patients come into music therapy they might be expecting to just learn to play guitar, but it’s much much deeper than that

— Erin Blanchette

Alee Domingue could not naturally express emotion.

Domingue lost a close aunt at a young age. She kept the emotions that came with this loss bottled up inside for the next two years. 

Then, one day, she sat down at the piano. Her fingers began playing the notes to her aunt’s favorite song, and soon emotion flowed out of her, releasing all that had been held inside. Words, sentences, and stories turned into melodies. 

Within five minutes, Domingue had composed a piece filled with all of the feelings surrounding the loss of her family member. 

“It was my first time experiencing something like that, where I could just write how I was feeling,” Domingue said. “Since then, I’ve never stopped writing [music].”

Later, Domingue joined Blanchette’s music therapy group. Some days, the music therapy group participates in a drum circle. Other days, they analyze different genres of music. 

Domingue loves music. She plays the guitar, piano, and even ukulele. However, Domingue recently received arm surgery and cannot play music for months. Still, that doesn’t stop her passion for music, and she now spends time listening to songs to analyze the deeper meanings within them.

“I feel like I’m in a different world. Music is very interesting to me, and I like to go all in,” Domingue said. “Listening to other people’s songs, understanding their music, is just an amazing experience.”

Blanchette’s music therapy sessions have greatly benefited Domingue. Now, Domingue is studying at college to become a music therapist herself.