Shawna Vernisie is a recent graduate of Marywood University (Scranton, PA) who received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy, with a minor in Psychology. Upon graduation, she received the Sister Davidica Kildea Medal for Excellence in Voice, which represents outstanding achievements in her vocal studies. Shawna is also proficient on guitar and piano, and is currently a graduate student at New York University. Upon graduation, she will receive her MA in Music Therapy, which fulfills the New York State educational requirements to receive the Licensure for Creative Arts Therapy (LCAT).

She successfully completed an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC, which fulfilled her educational requirements to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist. While at Beth Israel, Shawna studied under Dr. Joanne Loewy, MT-BC, LCAT, John Mondanaro, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, CCLS, Ronit Azoulay, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, and Melanie Acosta, MA, MT-BC, and learned the fundamentals of medical music psychotherapy, a subculture of music therapy which concentrates on the “mind, body, spirit” connection of the individual. She focused on working in Pediatrics, NICU, Maternity, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Palliative Care/Pain Management, and also participated in conducting research studying the effects of Music Therapy for children with Asthma. Shawna plans to begin directing the Cherub Choir at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lindenhurst, NY in October, where she will coordinate musical performances for children aged two through five.

While at Marywood, Shawna studied directly under Sr. Mariam Pfeifer, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, who recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Music Therapy Association. Shawna has clinical experience working within geriatric facilities, early intervention/day-care settings, both acute and chronic psychiatric settings, special education facilities, and has extensively worked one-on-one with children who have special needs including Autism, PDD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disabilities, and Developmental Delays. Shawna has also written a case study summarizing the effects of song-writing with a child who has a developmental delay. She has experience incorporating Music Therapy into Individualized Educational Programs (IEP), which is an important aspect of the child’s educational success.

Through her studies, Shawna has found that her passion includes helping children create positive experiences through music, and allowing the musical child to evolve.