Music Thanatology:  When a person is approaching the end of life, prescriptive music played live at the bedside using voice and musical instruments can assist the dying person in a peaceful transition.  The music is individualized to meet the patients needs, it assists the patient with pain relief, acceptance, comfort and release.

Tristan Adair has a long background and training in classical music, starting classical piano at age three, then violin, viola and string bass.  She received a degree in Applied Music and performed professionally with chamber groups and symphonies, as well as doing some recording work.  While volunteering in patient care at a hospice in Oregon, she learned that trained individuals use the harp and sing at the bedside of the dying.  Tristan graduated in 1998 from a school based in St. Patrick Hospital in Montana that focused on the use of harp and voice for palliative, end of life care. Tristan has 10 years experience with playing at the beside of the dying in Oregon and Utah.  She currently is employed at Utah Hospice Specialists.