Music Therapy

Tracie Sandheinrich, MA, LPC, MT-BC received her Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 2008 and her MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University in Belleville,IL in 2018. Board certified in Music Therapy since 2008 and owner, lead music therapist and Director of Clinical Services/Development for Music Therapy St. Louis, a private music therapy practice based in St. Louis, serving both MO and IL counties. Tracie has vast experience working with children facing life-altering medical conditions (pioneered Maryville University’s Kids Rock Cancer, est. 2009), neurological rehabilitation (NMT trained), stroke support, geriatrics (Alzheimer’s and dementia), palliative/hospice care, mental health, and grief/loss/bereavement. While Tracie manages and oversees clinical programming at Music Therapy St. Louis, she is also a Professional Licensed Counselor where she enjoys combining a creative arts approach to wellness for her private clients. Tracie has been a long-time “roadie” for The Angel Band Project and is humbled to join the team of therapists to support survivors.

Katie Down, (MT-BC, LCAT) is a licensed creative arts therapist, sound meditation teacher and facilitator, certified Reiki practitioner and performing musician offering listening and sound meditation classes, and training programs in music therapy and sound as well as clinical supervision. Katie received her master's degree in Music Psychotherapy at New York University with additional trauma training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy and with Laurel Parnell in EMDR. Incorporating Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction techniques, EMDR for trauma, and creative visualization, Katie provides a nurturing, grounded and open environment for opening the heart and letting go of blockages and negative patterns that hold us back from feeling connected to our higher selves and each other.  She has also worked internationally in the Balkans, South Africa, and Ecuador, offering workshops in improvisation and song writing and has trained to work with immigrants and refugees with Musicians Without Borders in the Netherlands. www.soundwellcenter.com

Katie was inspired to hear of the work of The Angel Band Project and has been honored to be asked to facilitate music therapy for them. Her interest and belief in the power of music and sound to tap into our consciousness and provide a healing and grounding force for letting go of trauma has brought her to work for The Angel Band Project. 

Recently regarded as “one of New York's more interesting and original artists” (New York MusicDaily), Noa Fort is an Israeli born, Brooklyn based music therapist and musician. In her work as a music therapist at the Brooklyn Conservatory ofMusic, she integrates improvisation, songwriting, song analyzing, active listening and body awareness. Fort works with a variety of populations in different settings. As a pianist/vocalist/songwriter/improviser, she is active in the Jazz and improvised music scenes in NYC and regularly performs in the US as well as internationally. 

Fort is excited to join The Angel Band Project as she believes in the power of music to support one’s journey to health, as well as its power to promote social change.  

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Nadine Cadesky, PhD, MTA, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist with 26 years of clinical experience. She received her PhD in music therapy from Temple University and is a Fellow in the Bonny method of guided imagery and music. Nadine has extensive experience doing music therapy with a wide variety of clients, including those living with acute and chronic mental health issues, complex grief, a history of intimate partner and sexual violence and other forms of trauma, vicarious trauma and workplace stressors, substance use, and homelessness; persons dealing with gender and identity issues; persons with HIV/AIDs, ALS, Huntington’s disease, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses; and persons at end of life. She also facilitates support groups for staff working with survivors, incarcerated people, and ex-prisoners. She is honored to be a part of the Angel Band Project, and to walk the path of healing with survivors in crisis and the staff who support them.

Jasmine Edwards (she/her) is a doctoral fellow within the Steinhardt Music Education program with a focus in music therapy at New York University. Jasmine holds a BM and MA in music therapy from Florida State University and NYU, respectively. Her clinical experiences include private practice, outpatient, school-based, and medical pediatric settings, and she is trained inNICU-MT, First Sounds: RBL, and Austin Vocal Psychotherapy. Jasmine has a vested interest in elevating dialogues about cultural humility within music therapy education and clinical practice. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the music therapy departments at Howard University, New York University, Montclair State University, Nazareth College, and Duquesne University. Jasmine identifies as a Black woman.

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Barbara received her Bachelors in Music Education from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS and her Masters in Music Education, Major in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She has extensive experience working with a wide variety of populations, ranging from early childhood through older adults. Barbara's thesis work utilized songwriting and lyric analysis to foster empowerment and self-confidence among homeless LGBTQ+adolescents. She has also led music therapy sessions with domestic violence survivors, incarcerated adults, and runaway, homeless, and/or vulnerable community youth. Barbara looks forward to continuing to use the profound power of music to improve quality outcomes for her clients.

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Born and raised in Hong Kong, China, Jenny Hoi Yan Fu is a licensed creative arts therapist (LCAT) and board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) practicing in New York City. She received her Master of Arts in music therapy from New York University and her post-master’s certificates in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and in Austin Vocal Psychotherapy. Jenny uses talk, music, and other creative mediums in her practice. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults to address their anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and other developmental challenges. Jenny is passionate about helping her clients recognize their resources and reach their potential through play and creativity. Her expertise in musical improvisation allows her to connect with her clients and accompany them on a journey of expression and exploration at their level of comfort. Combined with the practice of mindfulness, Jenny works with her clients in a supportive environment to promote a sense of connection between mind and body, and between self and others.

Jenny is excited to join The Angel Band Project and feels honored for the opportunity to partner up with survivors on their journey towards healing.

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Kaela Funke-Stahlhut, MT-BC, graduated from Drury University with a bachelor of arts in music therapy and Spanish in May 2020. Kaela has worked with a variety of populations including children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities, older adults (dementia and Alzheimer's), early childhood, medically fragile children, and mental health. Kaela finds the work of music therapy incredibly rewarding and is honored to be one of the music therapists supporting survivors through Angel Band.

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Allison Reynolds, LCSW-R, LCAT, MT-BC is alicensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) and a licensed creative arts therapist(LCAT), maintaining a private practice in New York City. She received herMaster of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University and her Master ofSocial Work from Hunter College. She is an Adjunct Faculty at NYU in the Master’sin Music Therapy program, teaching courses as well as supervising internship students. She specializes in trauma work, including developmental/complex trauma, as well as anxiety and depression. As a certified Nordoff Robbins MusicTherapist and an Austin Vocal Psychotherapist, she uses verbal processing, music/vocal improvisation, movement and other creative arts modalities in her practice. For the past 16 years, she has worked in various capacities with the HIV/AIDS population, as a music therapist, clinical social worker and as the Director ofBehavioral Health at St. Mary’s Center in Harlem. Allison has facilitated workshops nationally and internationally. Learn more about her work from her website: www.musicislifenyc.com and her zencare profile: https://zencare.co/provider/therapist/allison-reynolds

Allison is excited tojoin The Angel Band Project to help empower survivors’ voices and strengthen connectionsthrough music and creative expression.

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Anna Drexelius, MMT, MT-BC graduated from MaryvilleUniversity with a Master of Music Therapy degree in 2013 and has specialized in mental health treatment since 2011. She also earned a Bachelor of MusicPerformance from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. Anna is passionate about using music to help others heal from trauma, overcome obstacles, and build the lives they want and deserve. She believes in bringing her authentic self into sessions and creating safe, inclusive environments in which therapy participants can express, explore, and transform how they think and feel. Anna also encourages the use of practical strategies to meet personal goals and enhance unique perspectives on health and wellness.

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Rose Ritter, MMT, MT-BC received her Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy from Maryville University of St. Louis, MO in 2017 and her Masters of Music Therapy degree from Alverno College in 2023. Board certified in Music Therapy since 2017, Rose has diverse experience working for early childhood centers, schools nonprofits, in-home and in a private practice clinic. Rose specializes in working with children and adults who have experienced trauma in many different forms, including but not limited to foster/adoptive family placements, intimate partner violence, as well as children and adults with neurodivergent diagnoses and intellectual and developmental disabilities. She approaches her work with a trauma-informed lens using the philosophy of critical humanism and a neurodiversity-affirming, person-centered framework. The work of The Angel Band Project is very near and dear to her heart as she volunteered with them during her time at Maryville University, worked with the organization on the admin side as well as facilitating workshops in the Greater St. Louis, MO area. She is so excited to be returning to work with The Angel Band through their pilot expansion to Florida!

Audrey Hausig has been practicing music therapy in and around Philadelphia since 2000.She completed Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Temple University. Audrey works from humanistic, resource oriented, anti-oppressive frameworks. She is adjunct faculty at Drexel University and does continuing education and clinical supervision through her company, Philadelphia Music Therapy. She plays violin, bass, guitar, drums, and she sings. In her free time, Audrey plays in a punk rock band, is part of the treatment not trauma coalition, is president of theMidAtlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association, and engages in activism for liberation with her family and community.

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Sarah Bernstein, MMT, MT-BC graduated from Maryville University with a Master of Music Therapy degree in 2017. The bulk of Sarah’s clinical experience over the last 10 years is with children and their families. Sarah specializes in working with children who have experienced different forms of trauma (specifically medical and foster/adoptive family placements) as well as children with genetic or neurodivergent diagnoses and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Though passionate about Music Therapy and its many forms, Sarah especially loves using music to alter the brain in neurorehabilitation and utilizing therapeutic songwriting to aid in self-expression. While Sarah loves working with young people, the Angel Band Project and its mission have always had a special place in her heart. Sarah is a long-time member of the band as she volunteered with Angel Band while in graduate school at Maryville. Sarah is humbled and honored to work with groups of survivors, helping them to explore and express themselves safely through the container of music.