Nadya Dereskavich
BM, MT-BC
she/they
Music Therapist
Nadya Dereskavich, a board-certified music therapist, has been working for Colors of Music since 2024. Nadya strives to create a safe space for clients by bringing humanistic, queer, and client-led approaches to unique music experiences centered on clients' varying needs. Through music, Nadya hopes to help clients feel confident and comfortable expressing themselves creatively and emotionally.
Who have you worked with as a creative arts therapist and for how long?
I have been practicing as a music therapist since 2023. I have worked with clients in various clinical groups with different needs, such as older adults in assisted living facilities and on hospice services, adults and children with different developmental needs, and adults with psychiatric needs.
Where did you go to school, and what was one of your biggest takeaways from your education there?
I went to Temple University in North Philadelphia! My biggest takeaway was to focus on client's individual life experiences and spirits rather than placing them into a box with a diagnosis. By focusing on trauma informed and person centered care, we can make meaningful music together!
What's your favorite internship or practicum experience?
I interned at Holisticare Hospice for my 1,000 hour internship. Working with patients at the end of life not only changed how I work with all clients, but also how I view my own life.
What are some activities you do during your sessions?
Experiences I facilitate are singing and music making, music based mindfulness experiences such as deep breathing and meditation, art making to music, songwriting, adaptive lessons, and many, many more!
What's a meaningful professional experience that you've had?
I presented my talk "Queering Hospice Music Therapy: A Discourse on Queer informed Considerations in Music Therapy" at several conferences, but my favorite was presenting in Wellington at the 50th Anniversary of Music Therapy New Zealand in 2024!
What brings you joy outside of your professional life?
Outside of professional life I enjoy cuddling with my cats Benji, Cheeseburger and Chunk, making music with friends, and crafting.
More About Nadya
Nadya Dereskavich is a board-certified music therapist currently residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nadya obtained her undergraduate degree in music therapy at Temple University in 2023 and has been practicing professionally since then. Nadya has worked with a large variety of clinical groups, ranging from hospice, assisted living, developmental facilities, and psychiatric facilities. She currently works full time at a long term forensic psychiatric hospital as well as part time for Colors of Music, LLC.
Nadya’s approach to music therapy is humanistic, person-centered, and feministic. They offer a wide variety of musical interventions to clients to suit various clinical needs. Upon completing her internship with Holisticare Hospice in 2023, Nadya completed her internship final project “Queering Hospice Music Therapy: A Discourse on Queer informed Considerations in Music Therapy.” As a nonbinary woman, Nadya believes that honoring every client’s individuality is the key to a successful therapeutic relationship. Nadya has presented her final project for AMTA sponsored regional conferences, student conferences, at universities, and most notably at the 50th Anniversary of Music Therapy New Zealand in Wellington, New Zealand. Nadya has also presented other talks on social justice and person-centered care in music therapy, two other passions of hers.
Besides being a music therapist, Nadya is also a cat parent to three lovely boys, Benjamin, Cheeseburger, and Chunk.
