Meet Beverlee Nelson, Wellness House Music Therapist

Beverlee Nelson teaches piano in her home—among many other musical endeavors: She currently leads music therapy for cancer patients at the Wellness House in Hinsdale and for seniors at the King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge; works as a composer, arranger and recording artist for the Congregation of St. Joseph Ministry of the Arts; and remains self-employed as a professional pianist and piano instructor.

She gave me a tour of music's role in her life journey, pointing out what she has accomplished through her love of music.

Love of music is the operative phrase: Nelson's mother was a wonderful singer and an inspiration to her family—she was so talented and encouraged her children to get involved in music. Always the life of the party, she sang around the house and also appeared in community theatre. When her sister was taking piano lessons, Nelson learned all of her sister's songs and told the piano teacher she, too, could take lessons.

That was the start of what would become the basis of her life. She played piano, trombone, viola—whatever was needed—she learned to play. She and a dear friend wrote music in high school and performed on stage at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, a now-closed school that was in Chicago. 

"I was totally involved in music," she said.

About the only thing one could do with a music major at the time was go into education. Nelson graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in music education and as a piano major. She knew at the time she was not interested in performance music and after a few years of teaching, Nelson got her certification in music therapy from DePaul University in 1976.

Music therapy is the intentional use of music for the purpose of promoting health and healing. Music therapy can ease pain, elevate your mood and connect patients with their families in a way that verbal communication cannot.

Working with the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute in Chicago from 1976 to 1982 convinced Nelson working in the adjunctive therapies—music, art, etc.—was something she really wanted to do.

Since that time, she has worked at Loyola University Children's Hospital, St. Thomas Hospice, Lyons Township Youth Organization and Buddy's Place.

Nelson said she feels so fortunate to have worked with the families of children who are ill at Loyola Children's Hospital, and recounted a story where the family members were having difficulty talking to one another: Nelson suggested singing a few familiar songs with them and then passed out some percussion instruments that each person could play. Soon, the family was singing together, the mother singing harmony, a gospel sound emanated from the room and people were stopping by to listen to the joy coming from the child's room.

"The children are happy to see me, because I am not performing a medical procedure. The parents love to see their children happy and engaged in activity," recalled Nelson.

Nowadays, at King Bruwaert House, the time Nelson spends there is simply called, "Music with Beverlee." She plays music from different eras—1920's, classical, whatever they would like to hear. Through this listening exercise, the folks are able to share their feelings, lyrics, talk through a theme, and even share some of their own writings or poetry. With that group, though some people come with their walkers or canes, no one ever misses the class.

We all know how music has touched our lives. A song can trigger memories, feelings, bring us back to a time in our past. Through music imagery, people often can express their emotions—drumming helps gets aggression out and it is also very effective in addiction therapy.

Nelson gives people license to get in touch with their feelings and express sentiments using music as the vehicle to get to their soul. Music helps relax, reflect, inspire and heal. The inspiration that Nelson brings to a group is reciprocal:  she is so inspired by what she has learned from her various groups, individual people and families. "It is truly what I always wanted to do:  combine music, psychology and spirituality." 

If you enjoyed this story and would like to reach out to Beverlee Nelson, feel free to e-mail her: bnelson579 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net