Your resource for music therapy information
and services in the Utah Cache Valley Area
Jennifer Birchell
Jennifer Birchell, NMT, MT-BC, has been working with the Sunshine Terrace Foundation for over 20 years as a music therapist, USU practicum supervisor, and National Roster Internship Director. She specializes in neurologic music therapy and works with those that have neurologic impairments in a rehabilitation setting. Jennifer co-treats with other physical, occupational, and speech therapists in the rehabilitation setting, enhancing their therapies with music therapy for the betterment of the patients. Goals include strengthening, increasing endurance and range of motion, re-training gait patterns, re-training speech, cognitive stimulation, decreasing agitation and anxiety, stress management, and end of life care.
Natalie Burningham*
As long as I can remember I've had a passion for music and helping people. When I moved to Colorado, I discovered the Music Therapy program at Colorado State University and felt the degree was a perfect fit. I graduated from CSU in 2009 with a second Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy with a certification in Neurologic Music Therapy.
In 2010 I began my own private practice called Health Beat Music Therapy. I have served children, adults, and the elderly with diagnosis ranging from behavioral disorders to traumatic brain injuries. I started supervising for the Utah State University Music Therapy Program in 2015. I am a member of the UAMT and am registered with the CBMT and am Eden Certified. I am accepting pediatric clients and geriatric groups. My website is www.healthbeatmusictherapy.com, my email is healthbeatmusictherapy@gmail.com.
Kristen Carpenter
Kristen Carpenter, MT-BC, RBT, works for Affinity Behavior and Mental Health Services. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Utah State University for Music Therapy in 2011. She also received her RBT certification in 2014, and will complete her Master's with Arizona State University doing the "Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis MEd" in April 2018. She is dedicated to helping her clients reach and maintain the best quality of life possible. She strives to provide a pathway of healing, personal growth, and self empowerment, through the services, and experiences, gained in the therapeutic process. Kristen believes in helping every individual with accomplishing their therapeutic goals, and truly wishes to see each and every one of her clients succeed!
Karen Carter
Karen Carter has a BS degree in Music Therapy from USU. Board-certified music therapist since 1988. Currently employed by Intermountain Health at Logan Regional Hospital.
Maureen Hearns
Maureen Hearns, MA, SCMT, MT-BC is the director of music therapy at Utah State University, having received this appointment in 2005. Professor Hearns holds Bachelor’s degrees in Music Therapy (Utah State University), Music Theory and Composition, and Biological Sciences (University of Nevada, Las Vegas). She earned a Master of Arts in Diverse Education from the University of Phoenix, and is currently completing a doctoral degree in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. Her doctoral study investigates the phenomenon of vicarious traumatization.
Heather Overly*
Heather T. Overly, MT-BC, received her BS in Music Therapy at Utah State University in 2001. She has her own music therapy practice where she serves children with special needs in Cache County School District, subcontracts at assisted living centers, hospice, and an addiction recovery center. She teaches music therapy based music development classes for parents and children ages 0-5 years old in Smithfield and Logan. She owned and operated her own music based preschool Music Train Preschool for 6 years. Heather loves music therapy and believes music can aid many people towards healing and peace. She also has seen children with all abilities learn and grow through music in fun and creative ways. She is currently growing her music therapy practice, OverlyMusical LLC and is looking to add groups and individuals of all populations. For more information on her practice please visit www.overlymusical.com
Questions: overlymusical@gmail.com
Chelsea Vause*
I currently teach private piano lessons and run a music based preschool in my home called "Music Train Preschool." I have been teaching piano for eight years. I also worked for three years as a full time music therapist. I feel my experience as a music therapist greatly expands my teaching abilities because it has helped me develop a higher level of empathy and given me an increased ability to read and respond to people. I love teaching both adults and children. In the past, I have served as the graduate assistant for the keyboard harmony program at USU, where I oversaw the teaching of between 80 and 100 students in any given semester by teaching, developing curriculum and lesson plans, and supervising student instructors.
I have completed graduate work in piano pedagogy and performance at USU. I hold a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, and am a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC).
To register for preschool or piano lessons e-mail Chelsea: vausepiano@gmail.com
Tracy Wagner*
Tracy Wagner, SCMT, MT-BC
435-890-0885
is a mother of five children. She has been interested in music for as long as she can remember. A talented musician and vocalist, Tracy was introduced to Music Therapy her freshman year of college, which allowed her to integrate her two scholarly interests, psychology and music, into one common pursuit. In 1996 she graduated Cum Laude from Utah State University with a B. S. degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Music Education. Previously she completed an internship at the U of U Neuorpsychiatric Institute under the direction of an internationally renowned music therapist, Ada Mae Crouse. Since then she has been President and Vice President of the Utah Association of Music Therapists, developed music therapy programs for the Utah State Developmental Center, Utah State Hospital, various nursing homes and adult day center. She is currently contracted through Rocky Mountain Hospice providing music therapy to patients and USU to supervise music therapy students doing their practicum work. Tracy is also working in private practice and accepting new clients.
Letha Winger*
Letha Winger, M.Ed., SCMT, MT-BC
Letha.winger@yahoo.com
Letha has been a resident of Cache Valley since 2006. She graduated with a bachelor of music therapy degree from Marylhurst University and completed her internship on three acute psychiatric units at Adventist Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Prior to her music therapy work, she operated a private piano studio from her home for 17 years. She has been involved in training music therapy students in the Utah State University music therapy program for the past 11 years, serving as the clinical instructor of music therapy and clinical training coordinator. Currently, she is contracting in Cache Valley with a specialty in hospice, senior populations, and mental health
Melinda Barnes*
Melinda Barnes, MT-BC
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Melinda Barnes has always had a unique bond with individuals with special needs and a passion for music. She studied music and received her Associate of Science from Snow College. Melinda continued her education in music therapy at Utah State University. She completed her internship at Hartvigsen School in Taylorsville, Utah, working with around 200 students, ages 5 to 22 years, with severe to profound disabilities. In December of 2017, Melinda graduated and became a Board Certified Music Therapist. She has worked with the students in Special Education at Logan City School District; worked alongside and co-treated with multiple disciplines at Adam's Camp in Colorado, a summer therapy camp for children with special needs; and is enjoying her work as a paraprofessional with students at Canyon View School. One of Melinda's many joys is working with individuals with special needs by helping them find their voice and discover their strengths.