Music therapy strikes a chord at the Dempsey Center Cancer survivor Marie Davis, left, plays an ocean drum while Kate Beever performs vocals and guitar during a recent music therapy session at Central Maine Medical Center. LEWISTON - The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of music therapy to its growing list of wellness services for cancer patients and caregivers. Kate Beever, a 24-year-old Cornish resident currently pursuing her master’s degree in music therapy at New York University, will volunteer her talents throughout the summer. The growing popularity of music therapy stems from its contribution to patient quality of life. Among other benefits, it has been shown to manage stress, improve communication, alleviate pain and counteract depression. Patients do not need any musical ability to benefit, but are welcome to participate on any level. Some prefer to have Beever sing and play her guitar in the doorway of their room while others invite her in and eagerly sing along. Those looking for a more interactive approach are invited to play maracas or an ocean drum, which simulates soothing ocean sounds by rolling hundreds of tiny beads across the bottom of a drum. Some of the lesser known methods of music therapy include songwriting, vocal toning, music education, lyric discussion and breathing exercises. After graduation, Beever hopes to find full-time employment in a hospital, preferably working with oncology patients. "Cancer patients don't get to make a lot of choices about what's happening to them," she said. "Music can be familiar and you can really make a connection. The patients can choose whether they want music or not, or if they want to sing or participate." One such choice occurred recently when Beever performed for a patient who had been withdrawn and non-verbal. Following Beever's rendition of Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World', the patient became emotional and spoke a single word - 'Beautiful'. Beever then played an ocean drum which lulled the patient to sleep. Beever brings music therapy to CMMC on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. She will primarily work bedside with oncology patients and will also be available on an outpatient basis. Under her direction, a three-week drumming group and two-week music therapy workshop will be available through the Dempsey Center.