Chantise exudes humility and grace while demonstrating a posture of learning and growth towards music therapy.  This unique combination allows her to work with children with high medical needs, older adults, and patients with varying abilities, while also meeting them where they are at in their homes.  Chantise demonstrates patience in the process but is not afraid to fiercely advocate for her patients, families, and the Alliance Music Therapy team. 

​

Chantise Hunt joined the Alliance Music Therapy team in August 2019 as an independent contractor to assist in furthering our team’s reach and expand the populations we provide services for.  Chantise grew up in the Twin Cities but attended the University of Denver, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance.  Upon graduation, Chantise knew that she wanted to attend graduate school but moved back to the Twin Cities and took a few years off in order to discover which career path to take.  After exploring different career fields, Chantise knew that she wanted both music and helping people to be central parts of her career.  Chantise then attended the University of Minnesota where she began the music therapy master’s equivalency program.  While a graduate student, Chantise had the opportunity to do music therapy related research with adult medical populations and complete a six-month internship at Children’s Minnesota where she worked with children, ages birth to young adult, on various units throughout the hospital.  Chantise then completed her thesis and graduated with a Master of Arts in Music Therapy in 2019. 

 

Chantise has provided music therapy in a variety of settings including adult and pediatric hospitals, long-term care facilities, client homes, group homes, daycares, adolescent inpatient psychiatric units, and adult and adolescent outpatient psychiatric units.  Chantise has had the opportunity to work with diverse populations including individuals with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, development disabilities, dementia, epilepsy, communication disorders, eating disorders, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease, anxiety, depression, end of life needs, and complex medical needs.  With each and every client, Chantise strives to build rapport and create strong therapeutic relationships.  She is also passionate about helping clients to work towards long-term goals while also being adaptable to meet clients where they are at each session. 

 

Music has always been a part of Chantise’s life as well as a source of expression and communication for her.  One of the most rewarding parts of being a music therapist for Chantise is being able to help clients express themselves and find success through music.  Chantise’s primary instrument is percussion but she also enjoys playing guitar, ukulele, and piano. 

 

In her free time, Chantise enjoys crafty endeavors such as knitting and sewing.  She also enjoys baking, checking out new restaurants, watching TV, reading, being outside, spending time with family and friends, and dancing.  Chantise also loves to attend Broadway musicals and classical music concerts around the Twin Cities.