Live through Music
Learn to Play
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Music Therapy, Lessons, and More in Bloomington, Indiana
It is my hope to enhance the lives of those I work with through a lifetime committed to music-making, playing, learning, healing & educating.
Otis Cantrell
My Approach
My approach begins with checking in each session to see how music has been serving my clients in their lives since I last saw them. Music theory and history often get intertwined with lessons and music therapy plans. Songwriting, arranging, and covering favorite songs of my clients’ occur in sessions, as well.
I have a passion for improvisation (my initial degree is in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, which sort of makes sense)... It is a joy to me to facilitate playing freely in music sessions regularly with clients. As humans, we all learn and enjoy ourselves through play. Improvising music in real-time provides an auditory playground to explore and experience music for the self and with others.
Populations Served
Music therapy and music lessons can benefit anyone of any background at any point in their life. Throughout my path as an instructor, music therapy student, and board-certified music therapist, I have worked with a wide variety of clients who seek services for early childhood development, depression, anxiety, ADHD, cerebral palsy, motor skill engagement, autism spectrum disorder, dementia/Alzheimer’s, intellectual disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, learning disabilities, eating disorders, aging populations, trauma, pain management, grief/bereavement, navigating transitions in life, and more.
Person-Centered
Every music therapy session and music lesson is client-directed. The music used, the instruments played, the order of events…everything is guided by the people taking lessons or receiving therapy.
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Music Therapy
Using music to work on health-related goals
Individualized music therapy sessions; clients may use any instrument(s) of their choosing including singing or none at all
Direction and focus of sessions are decided by the client and Otis together
Collaboration with healthcare, education, and care providers when applicable
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Music Lessons
Using chosen instrument(s) to work on musical skills
Individualized music lessons; guitar, drum set, ukulele, bass, music theory, improvising, and recording/producing lessons available
Direction and focus of sessions are decided by the client and Otis together
Custom video, audio, and written materials for practice outside of lessons
About
Otis Cantrell is a board-certified music therapist and active musician in Bloomington, IN. Originally from Anderson, IN, Otis began playing drums at the age of 11 and eventually expanded his interests to include guitar, bass and piano. From the age of 13 until he arrived at Indiana University, he was virtually self-taught on what became his primary instrument in college, the guitar, as well as any other instruments he could get his hands on. In addition to playing music, recording music has flourished from interest to passion over the years. From tinkering with a 4-track cassette tape recorder to today's use of DAW's, Otis has been exploring the use of recording equipment since he began playing the guitar.
Otis began teaching privately in 2009 at Downham Music in his hometown of Anderson while studying sociology at IUPUI and living in Indianapolis. In 2010 Otis worked alongside staff from Downham Music to open up a new location called The Slick Music Studio. He taught there until the fall of 2010 when he moved to Bloomington to pursue a major in jazz guitar. In his time at IU he studied with world-renowned guitarists Corey Christiansen and Dave Stryker. He also worked with and studied under directors Michael Spiro and Dr. Wayne Wallace as a guitarist in the IU Latin Jazz Collective as well as countless other incredible professors, teaching assistants, and visiting lecturers. In the fall of 2013 Otis began teaching privately at Vance Music Center, and he graduated with a BM in Jazz Studies (Guitar) in the spring of 2014. Otis taught at Melody Music Shop from 2015 to 2016 and has been teaching at Stafford Music Academy since 2017.
As a music therapy student, Otis gained experience at Dynamic Music Services in Indianapolis, IN when in practicum. He completed additional pre-internship work through Frontera Music Therapy based in El Paso, TX, and he finished his remaining practicum and internship hours at the Great Lakes Music Company in Northwest Indiana. Upon successful completion of his educational requirements and passing the CBMT’s board-certification exam, Otis earned the credential MT-BC in 2021.
Otis's professional endeavors have shifted toward music therapy and teaching in recent years; however, performing and recording music will always be passions of his whenever time allows. Otis’s unique performance and recording experiences as a player, engineer, and producer provide insight into his music lessons and music therapy practice.
Education and Accreditation
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (Guitar)
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
May 2014
Music Therapy Equivalency Distance
(MTED)
Saint Mary of the Woods College
December 2021
Music Therapist Board Certified
(MT-BC)
Certification Board of Music Therapists
Since December 2021
