Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor Maine is a non-profit retirement community as well a member of the Mount Desert Island Hospital Organization.

Mount Desert Island Hospital (MDIHO) is a highly awarded rural critical access hospital serving the Mount Desert Island and surrounding communities through a 25-bed critical access facility in Bar Harbor and a network of area health centers—all designed to provide comprehensive healthcare for residents and visitors.


Birch Bay Retirement Village is comprised of Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and the Don & Beth Straus Adult Day Program. Individual and group music therapy reaches all levels of care within Birch Bay Village, with a focus on utilizing a variety of expressive therapies to maximize the quality of life of clients with dementia and related diagnoses.

Training Information

MDIHO’s internship includes both group and individual music therapy experiences with a strong focus on dementia care. Interns will learn about all aspects of the management and implementation of a comprehensive music therapy program.

Clinical experiences are complemented by a series of assignments, presentations, creative projects and readings designed to further the student’s theoretical and practical application of music therapy. The most important aspect of the music therapy internship at MDIHO is the individualized approach we take with each student. Interns set personal professional development goals throughout internship while also focusing on emerging professional skills and competencies.

Applicants must demonstrate strong music skills, independence, and initiative. Practicum experience in both group and individual sessions in a healthcare related setting is preferred. A valid US driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

October 2023 Music Therapy Internship deadline is
April 7, 2023

January 2024 Music Therapy Internship deadline is
July 7, 2023

April 2024 Music Therapy Internship deadline is
October 6, 2023

July 2024 Music Therapy Internship deadline is
January 5, 2024

October 2024 Music Therapy Internship deadline is
April 5, 202
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Housing available at no cost and lunches are provided for interns. No stipend is available.
Application submissions can be submitted digitally to mviolette@birchbayvillage.us or by hard copy through the mail.

DOWNLOAD OUR INTERNSHIP APPLICATION (WORD DOC)
DOWNLOAD OUR INTERNSHIP APPLICATION (PDF)

Birch Bay was the perfect fit for my music therapy internship. I have always had a passion for serving older adults and my time at BBRV affirmed that. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than connecting with someone -regardless of age, ability, or background- through music. We get that opportunity every single day in our music therapy sessions at Birch Bay. I have grown as a musician and clinician in more ways than I could have imagined. I am so grateful to Melissa Violette, the Music Therapy Program Director, for all she does to make this internship such an incredible experience, as well as to everyone else at BBRV who sees the value of music therapy and supports our work. I will miss Birch Bay and the special residents who live here, but I'm holding on tight to the many lessons and memories I gathered as I go.

Anna B. 2018 Music Therapy Intern April 24, 2018


For more information, please contact: Melissa Violette MT-BC,  NMT, Music Therapy Program Director 207-288-8014 ext. 5110 or mviolette@birchbayvillage.us

Learn more about Birch Bay Retirement Village

For more information or to arrange a tour, call 207-288-8014 or complete our contact form