We are so excited and grateful to welcome Tara Jenkins to the podcast! Thank you so much to Tara for sharing some of your wealth of knowledge with us. In this episode, Dannielle and Tara talk about opening up your own private practice, collaboration vs competition, and ageism in music therapy.

Tara Jenkins, MT-BC, CDP, CMDCP, is a board-certified music therapist, certified dementia practitioner, and Montessori dementia care professional with nearly two decades of experience supporting older adults and people living with dementia.

As the founder of Harmony in Dementia, she is recognized as an expert in her field, providing music therapy services, caregiver support, consultation, and educational programs for students, professionals, and caregivers. Tara’s commitment to dementia care is grounded in extensive training and experience, and she partners closely with caregivers to share the transformative power of music and co-create meaningful experiences that foster connection and well-being.

She is also a co-author of Music, Memory, and Meaning and a national speaker on music therapy, dementia care, ageism, and caregiver wellness. Tara is currently pursuing her Master’s in Gerontology at UNCW.

In this episode, hear Madeline talk about the spiritual domain of music therapy. How can we use music to support the soul? And how is that different than supporting emotions?

Madeline Mary Lockeby is a board-certified music therapist based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Music Therapy, she has built a career integrating music and spiritual care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Madeline served as Director of Worship Arts at a local church before joining Baton Rouge General Medical Center in 2022 for her music therapy internship. Following her internship, she earned 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education while working as a residential hospital chaplain, and is currently working towards an Associate Board Certified Chaplain certification. Madeline now serves as a part-time worship leader at a local church and a full-time music therapist at Baton Rouge General, where she specializes in behavioral health, oncology, intensive care, and palliative care. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the soul-keeping power of music and to offering compassionate support to those facing life's most challenging yet beautiful moments.

#musictherapy #therapist #music #therapy #pediatricmusictherapy #chaplain #Chaplaincy #chaplainlife #spirituality

We are SO excited to welcome Sally Hatfield — music therapy intern, soon-to-be MT-BC, and our incredible Music Therapy Now media intern! Sally is a true ray of sunshine whose creativity, warmth, and dedication shine through everything she does.

In this episode, Sally shares her journey into music therapy, her passion for supporting others through music, and what it’s been like stepping into the field with enthusiasm, curiosity, and heart. You’ll love hearing her story, her insights, and her bright energy!

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth VanSant, MTL, MT-BC, owner of Eastside Music Therapy in Bellevue, WA. We discuss starting a private practice, advocating for a livable wage, and the supportive community within music therapy. Elizabeth shares her neurodiversity-affirming, client-led approach to working with Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals, as well as her experiences mentoring future music therapists and building a sustainable career.

In this episode, Morgan and Dannielle are thrilled to welcome a few of the incredible music therapists working in pediatric hospitals across the U.S. through Sophie’s Place.

Founded in loving memory of singer-songwriter Sophie Barton, Sophie’s Place creates dedicated music therapy rooms within children’s hospitals—safe, creative spaces designed to support young patients facing pain, chronic illness, and serious injury. These rooms are more than just spaces for music—they represent an evidence-based, integrative medical approach that enhances healing through movement, reduces pain, and supports brain function and emotional wellbeing.

Tune in for this powerful conversation with Matthew, Eliana, Lainey, and Mackenzie as they share the heart behind their work, the impact of Sophie’s Place, and the incredible power of music therapy.

Join Dannielle Caldwell of Music Therapy Now and Allyson Rodgers of Music and Miracles as they give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Music Therapy Miracles NOW Retreat, happening Saturday, July 19th!

This one-day virtual retreat is designed for music therapists who are ready to start or scale their private practice with confidence. You’ll walk away with:

✔️ 10 CMTEs

✔️ A step-by-step workbook

✔️ Business templates

✔️ One year of access to our exclusive community group

✔️ And a renewed sense of clarity, purpose, and momentum!

Tune in to hear what you can expect, how this retreat came to life, and why this event could be a game changer for your music therapy career.

DISCOUNT CODE IN THIS EPISODE!!!

🎧 Register now at www.musictherapynow.net – space is limited!

Welcome back to Music Till Proven Therapy! We’re kicking off Season 3 with a deeply personal and inspiring episode. Join your host, Dannielle Caldwell, MT-BC, as she reflects on the last 6 months of building and transitioning into full-time private practice ownership. From walking away from traditional roles to launching multiple new programs, Dannielle shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.

You’ll hear:

• Why she made the leap to full-time entrepreneurship
• How she navigated financial planning, client acquisition, and self-doubt
• The power of community, clarity, and creative risk-taking
• Honest answers to listener-submitted questions about business, burnout, and bold moves

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own practice or just need a reminder that big shifts are possible, this episode is packed with encouragement, insight, and real talk from someone who's living it.

🎧 Hit play, and let’s dive in.

Nikki Belshe Lanza is the owner of Heart and Harmony in Fort Worth, TX and founder of the fantastic non-profit, the Music Therapy Access Fund.

Dannielle is thrilled to be joined by the lovely Nikki who is an unstoppable force in the music therapy field. Hear their conversation about Nikki's experience, private practice, non-profit, and balancing career and family.

https://www.heartandharmony.com/

https://mtaf.org/