ABOUT ME

Nice to meet you!

While studying music therapy in college in Dayton, Ohio, I fell in love with the elder population. My very first practicum round as a new music therapy student was at a local nursing home where I eventually attained my very first music therapist job after completing my internship in Cleveland. I loved the stories, the wisdom and the energy that this population brought to my groups. Their connection to music and not only the memories that it elicited, but the emotions and personality that music was able to bring out in the residents fascinated me.

I was especially drawn to those individuals living with dementia. For them, music was not just entertainment, it was a means to bring them back to life. I still tear up every time I think about some of my favorite stories; residents who couldn't speak their own name, who never made eye contact, who were called "non-verbal" or "combative", and I got to watch them light up when their favorite songs were played. I was honored to create a moment of connection for them and I am so thankful that I was allowed to witness their transformation. They turned from someone unrecognizable to themselves and to their loved ones, to an energized, dancing, singing version of who they once were.

Since that first practicum in college I have worked in several different long-term care communities, doing everything from aide work to being a Life Enrichment Director for many years, Music Therapist and eventually Memory Care Program Manager. Upon moving to Rochester, I also spent several years working for the Alzheimer's Association as their Health Care Professional Education Coordinator. In that role I was able to educate staff at nearly 100 elder-care facilities in our chapter’s 10- county region. I had the privilege of training over 5,000 healthcare professionals in long-term care settings, hospitals and several senior-focused conferences. It was in this role that I truly saw the vast and serious need for proper dementia training in our eldercare workforce. I had staff in my trainings who had worked with this population for 20+years and would tell me after class that this was the first time they truly understood dementia and felt like they could now relate to their residents and finally understand their needs.

While working mostly with professionals, I also taught many caregiver trainings for the community, learning that the need for this information was not solely for professionals but that it was vital for all caregivers. Since then I received my certifications as a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer with the National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) so I can continue to teach and support all those struggling to care for someone with dementia.

I am honored to work with our elder population, especially those bravely living with a dementia diagnosis and their caregivers, both professional and personal. I passionately support the independence of a person for as long as possible and want to teach all caregivers how to put supports in place so this can be a reality in every setting and every situation.

"The power of music to integrate and cure is quite fundamental.

It's the most profound non-chemical medication."

- Oliver Sacks

EDUCATION

Trying my best to learn

Education

University of Dayton

Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy

Clark State College

MEPAP 1 - Activity Professional Certification

Certifications

MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified), 2010

CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner) with the NCCDP 2016

CADDCT (Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer) with the NCCDP 2016

Experience

Friendship Village Assisted Living -

Dayton, OH

HCR ManorCare Nurisng Home -

Cleveland, OH

Triple Creek Retirement Community -

Cincinnati, OH

Acclaim Hospice -

Dayton, OH

Bethany Luther Village -

Dayton, OH

Alzheimer's Association -

Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter

Legacy at Maiden Park -

Rochester, NY