Shenandoah University Music Therapy Program

12/18/2025

Congratulations to our undergraduate and graduate music therapy students on an outstanding fall semester! 🎶

We wrapped up the semester with our end-of-semester colloquium, where the percussion skills class showcased their work by leading an engaging drum circle. We also celebrated our graduate students as they completed their coursework and move on to their internships—best of luck in this next chapter!

Additionally, our junior and senior music therapy majors received their practicum badges after successfully passing sophomore screening. Congratulations on reaching this important milestone!

We were proud to recognize this year’s scholarship and award recipients:
• Barbara and Lucy — Building Musical Bridges Scholarship
• Caitlin — Rhonda Lineburg Rinker Scholarship
• Brooklyn and Tanya — Ben-Dov Luminescence Foundation Scholarship (A Place To Be)

Congratulations to everyone on a successful semester—we can’t wait for what’s next!

12/17/2025

Congratulations to SU graduate student Nicole Stroh, who was awarded the Angelina's Song Scholarship to support her graduate education. The Angelina's Song Scholarship is inspired by Angelina Miele, who relied on music therapy during her cancer treatments, and inspired by her family who took comfort in music, this foundation supports students striving to provide the same care and support for others that Angelina and her family received from music therapy.

12/14/2025

Another wonderful NW Works Chimers Concert yesterday celebrating community music making

12/11/2025

It's Chimers time! Join us this Saturday at 2:30pm for the Fall NW Works Chimers concert in Armstrong Recital Hall.

12/09/2025

We are excited to announce and post the search for our new Assistant Professor of Music Therapy, starting in August 2026. Applications are currently being accepted, with the review process beginning in mid January.

https://jobs.silkroad.com/ShenandoahUniversity/EmploymentPortal/jobs/2787?embedded=true

Please feel free to share and to reach out with any questions - anthony.meadows@su.edu

12/08/2025

Meet our talented music therapy faculty! Passionate about healing through sound, they inspire creativity and connection in every class they teach. Get to know the heart behind our program, meet our next faculty member: Fredrica “Freddie” Dooley-Brown, MMT, MT-BC, NMT!

Pronouns:
She/Her

Courses you teach:
Clinical Voice 1, Clinical Voice 2, and Music Therapy Practicum 1 (NW Works Chimers)

When you aren't teaching, what do you do in your clinical work?:
I work clinically at a therapeutic day school, where I provide trauma-informed, strengths-based music therapy services for children and adolescents with complex emotional and behavioral needs. I also serve as the Director of the NW Works Chimers, a performing ensemble for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and SU students.

What drew you to teaching future music therapists?:
What I love most about teaching MUTH students is watching their confidence blossom and getting to know each of them individually along the way. It’s incredible to see how they support one another and share in moments of laughter and growth.

What is the most rewarding part of being on the SU Music Therapy Faculty?:
I truly value/enjoy connecting with my fellow MT colleagues; they are the best! I also LOVE when students have that “aha” moment and push themselves to try new things they didn't think possible. Witnessing them grow into the best versions of themselves is truly inspiring!

What is your favorite instrument in the clinic?:
Ohhhh... The sub-contrabass xylophone! It gives me all the warm feels. :)

12/06/2025

Meet our talented music therapy faculty! Passionate about healing through sound, they inspire creativity and connection in every class they teach. Get to know the heart behind our program, meet our next faculty member: Zoe Simon-Levine.

Pronouns: she/they

Courses you teach: This semester, it's Didactic Practices and Telehealth

When you aren't teaching, what do you do in your clinical work?: I have a small private practice and provide services with a focus on young children through young adults.

What drew you to teaching future music therapists?: I had a teaching assistantship at SU during my master's, and it showed me just how special it was to be in community with such curious, adventurous learners.

What is the most rewarding part of being on the SU Music Therapy Faculty?: Seeing each student settle into their confidence and unique approach to practice during their time in the program.

What is your favorite instrument in the clinic?: Hm... It's not really an instrument most of the time, but I'm a big yoga ball fan.

12/04/2025

Meet our talented music therapy faculty! Passionate about healing through sound, they inspire creativity and connection in every class they teach. Get to know the heart behind our program, meet our next faculty member: Leigh Williams!

Pronouns: She/her

Courses you teach: Music Therapy in Rehab, Music Therapy Practicum Seminar, and Music Therapy Internship I and II.

When you aren't teaching, what do you do in your clinical work?: I am a hospice music therapist full-time. Twenty-three years ago, I created the music therapy program at Blue Ridge Care (formerly Blue Ridge Hospice) and have been practicing there ever since.

What drew you to teaching future music therapists?: I was looking for something to balance my clinical work, which involves constant death, dying, and grief. I have always enjoyed mentoring others and decided to extend my work in the community into the classroom setting. Although my specialty is hospice, the generalization and overarching themes and topics are similar across populations and settings.
What is the most rewarding part of being on the SU Music Therapy Faculty?: There are several rewarding parts of being on the SU Music Therapy Faculty. One, is that SU is where I got my bachelor's and master's of music therapy, and by teaching there, it comes full circle. Two, I get to know some amazing students who teach me each and every day. Lastly, the moment that "the light bulb goes off" makes it all worth it to me. Especially when students reach out years later to tell me how they are doing and what they took from our classes that is making a difference now.

What is your favorite instrument in the clinic?: My favorite instrument in the clinic is and always will be the ocean drum.

11/06/2025

NW Works Chimers celebrated Halloween in style last week.

11/04/2025

Sharing on behalf of Melody Music Therapy.

08/29/2025

Please consider supporting the wonderful music therapy program at Johns Hopkins Hospital and their goal to expand services in the Children's Hospital.

08/12/2025

We are excited to announce that Maevon Gumble, MMT, MT-BC, LP, will join the music therapy faculty this Fall as a visiting Assistant Professor of Music Therapy. They bring a wealth of clinical and professional experiences to the program and their work with students in the classroom. Welcome Maevon!

Shenandoah Conservatory announces the appointment of Maevon Gumble ’27 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Pedagogy – Voice), M.M.T., MT-BC, LP, as visiting