Lisa Rue is a lifelong advocate, clinician & educator, performing artist, gardening enthusiast, photography buff and antique home renovator.

For over 25 years she was self employed dba 'Sound Expression' - providing clinical music therapy services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She has advocated for and with a wide range of ages and developmental challenges - contracted to numerous school, day hab, private home and senior sites. Lisa continues to be inspired by the people she works with - currently with students and their families through PACES (Pilgrim Area Collaborative Extended Services).

Ms. Rue is an avid supporter of self expression for all, and honors the power of the human voice - believing that we all have a voice (even with a laryngectomy and esophageal speech!). With a background in speech and language pathology that was informed by her earlier years with a deaf grandfather, she is an ongoing student of American Sign Language, and drawn to the varied means of expression that exist through the arts and throughout world cultures.

As an accomplished singer, choreographer and performing artist, Lisa spent over 30 years on the stage, in a studio, coffeehouse and club venues, or in front of a camera - while also inspired to take pictures of others, moving moments, and striking sea or land scapes. "I Love Niantic" photo note cards is her current photo endeavor. Lisa’s musical projects - which aren’t done yet - draw on her folk roots of the 1970s, broadway shows and classical music in the 80s, and alternative rock music of the 90s and later. Her BareBones Health CD series of the 2000s includes all of this; but she is always drawn back to her favorite 'golden oldie' jazz standards.

With a Masters of Education in Health Promotion, Lisa lives by the time tested adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." As a co-founder of the Central School Gardeners and co-founding chair of the East Bridgewater Community Gardens, Lisa has brought enthusiasm and guidance to new and experienced gardeners of all ages. Her home gardens continue to provide good health and satisfaction each spring through autumn.

In addition to daily vocal chant and meditation, Lisa can often be seen walking, and dreams of retirement at a beach or in the mountains. She is a survivor of Chronic Persistent Post Lyme Disease. Please visit lisarue.blogspot.com to see her blog, ‘Surviving Lyme: One Chronic Experience’, or message her at her FaceBook page for more information.

Education:

Northwestern University (IL), BS ’85, Interdepartmental Major/School of Communication
Emmanuel College (MA), Undergraduate Music Therapy Certification '91
Bridgewater State University (MA), M.Ed., Health Promotion ’01

Graduate Research Thesis: The Use of Music for Management of Chronic Pain (Brockton Hospital)

*Music Therapy is the use of music to reach nonmusical goals and objectives.   Music Therapy is a client centered process that is intended to improve quality of life and advance skills and abilities.  Music Therapists work in a variety of educational, arts-based, community, rehabilitative, psychiatric and medical facilities.  Those who work with special needs often have primary goal areas that include self- expression, behavior modification, social skills, cognitive processes and motor ability.  For more information, visit www.musictherapy.org.

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
(Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World)

email: lisarue242@gmail.com