Melissa Gleason was hired onto SSAL’s team of Board Certified Music Therapists in June 2019. Melissa graduated with her Associates Degree in Vocal Performance from Grand Rapids Community College and received her Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy from Western Michigan University. Upon completing an internship at Marwood Nursing and Rehab in Port Huron, MI, Melissa took a part time professional position with Marwood, where she planned and facilitated daily music therapy sessions and acted as supervisor for an intern. She has experience working with a rehabilitation team, long-term care residents, and in the memory care unit, and has focused her career and continuing education in working with memory care and seniors. Melissa experienced first-hand the qualitative, evidence-based impact that Music Therapy has with an ever-growing geriatric population and is excited to share and build on what she has learned.

Melissa’s love for music permeates her life. She performs regularly with Opera Grand Rapids, is a section leader at Mayflower Congregational Church, and has performed in various bands throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Madison March graduated with her Associates Degree in Bassoon Performance from Grand Rapids Community College before continuing her education at Western Michigan University where she completed her Bachelors in Music Therapy and Psychology. Madison went on to do her internship with Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital where she worked primarily with men with psychiatric and mood disorders. She has 6 years of experience as an in-home caregiver supporting seniors aging in their homes.

Madison started her professional career working in life enrichment at StoryPoint with their Assisted Living and Memory Care neighborhoods. She provided programming to meet resident needs and bring them joy through music as well as other mediums. She also provided end-of-life services to residents when a music therapist was needed and not offered by their hospice agency. She has experience with an interdisciplinary team, residential and in-home care, and memory care needs. She continues to pursue education that focuses on seniors and music, Alzheimer’s care, hospice, and has an interest in education regarding Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and the possible benefits of using those skills with seniors living with dementia.

Madison practices self care by making music with her friends, baking various breads, reading manga and romantasy books, and finding bars and breweries where live, local artists are performing.