Music Therapy Brings Comfort to NICU Families in Edmonton Hospital

A music therapy program at Edmonton’s Grey Nuns Community Hospital has brought comfort to families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The initiative, led by a local therapist, aims to ease stress and strengthen bonds between parents and premature babies. Now, the hospital is exploring ways to keep the program running long-term. Rebecca Lappa, a music therapist and master’s student, launched Edmonton’s first NICU music therapy program. For four months, she worked with families, using live music to soothe infants and support parents. One of those families was Gypsy Bendoy’s, whose son Timothy has spent over a month in the NICU since his premature birth.

During a session with Lappa, Timothy’s heart rate dropped, and his mother felt a deep sense of joy. Music has always been part of his life—his father is a musician—and the therapy provided a moment of connection. Bendoy now hopes other NICU families can experience the same relief she did.

The program’s impact has been clear. Karlee Conway, director of marketing and communications for the Covenant Foundation, believes it will leave a lasting mark on families. With an estimated cost of up to $70,000 over two years, the hospital is seeking community funding to make the initiative permanent. The therapy program has shown real benefits for mental health and parent-baby bonding. If funding is secured, it could become a regular part of NICU care at Grey Nuns Hospital. For now, families like Bendoy’s are grateful for the moments of comfort it has already provided.