President: Dana TonkinsonDana Tonkinson is currently a music therapy intern at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Western Psychiatric Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is so excited to be serving as the GLR-AMTAS President for the 2023-2024 year with this incredible board of student leaders!
Dana completed her undergraduate coursework in music therapy and communication sciences and disorders at Cleveland State University. She played principal oboe and English horn in the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble and had served as President of the student music therapy organization. After completing her internship, she would like to work in a pediatric medical setting and receive training in utilizing AAC devices in music therapy to incorporate her education in communication sciences and disorders. She is also very passionate about supporting and amplifying adoptee voices and advocating for adoption education. In her free time, Dana enjoys rock climbing, roller-skating, reading, and being with friends. |
President-Elect: Mindy ChinMindy Chin is starting her senior year at Western Michigan University this fall. Mindy served as President of the Student Music Therapy Association (SMTA) of WMU last year and is very excited to be on this board to work with a group of awesome music therapy students as she serves as the GLR-AMTAS President-Elect for the 2023-24 term.
Mindy’s primary instrument is the piano, but she also loves playing guitar, violin, and organ. Post-graduation, Mindy would like to work in a Psychiatric Hospital or other hospital settings. She is interested in the population because she has witnessed the power and magic of music, especially with people who close up emotionally. Hence, she wants to be the tool that helps clients open up their doors and heal. On the fun side, Mindy is a passionate hip-hop dancer and loves to cook! |
Vice President: Amanda BurschHi! My name is Amanda Bursch, I'm a 2023 graduate of the University of Dayton with my bachelors in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology. While at Dayton I studied my primary instrument, percussion, and also pursed lessons in guitar, voice, piano, and harp. I completed an undergraduate thesis through the university honors program on Alternative and Augmented Communication with Non-Speaking clients supplemented by studies at the University of Oxford (see aacforall.com). Next, I'm excited to continue my education with a Minneapolis based internship, starting in October, with Park Nicollet Health Services. I'm serving as the Vice President of the GLR-AMTAS board this year, and I look forward to advance the field of music therapy and support my fellow students! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
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Treasurer: Courtney JohnsonCourtney has completed her coursework at Eastern Michigan University. She is interning at the Monroe County Intermediate School District. Courtney was treasurer for GLR-AMTAS in 2022-23 and is serving again as 2023-24 treasurer. Courtney is a vocal primary who also enjoys playing piano, guitar, and ukulele. In the future, Courtney hopes to work as a music therapist with children in a school setting. In her free time Courtney enjoys baking, exploring, and hanging out with her cats! She is looking forward to serving again as treasurer and working with some lovely people!
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Secretary: Molly ObergefellMolly Obergefell recently completed her undergraduate music therapy studies at the University of Dayton. She is preparing for her music therapy internship which begins in August at New Avenues to Independence. During her internship, she will be working with older adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and she is very excited to begin this next step in her education. At UD, Molly’s primary instrument was piano. She also enjoys playing guitar, clarinet, bass clarinet, a bit of percussion, and singing.
She will be serving as the GLR-AMTAS secretary for the 2023-2024 school year. Molly is looking forward to working with this wonderful group of people on the GLR-AMTAS executive board! Molly also enjoys reading, bike riding, making and listening to way too many Spotify playlists, and spending time with her family and friends. |
Parliamentarian: Valeria Alvarado BerriosValeria N. Alvarado Berrios (she/her) is from Las Piedras, Puerto Rico. She walked graduation last May at the University of Dayton, and is currently completing her internship at University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. Valeria's hobbies include cooking, chatting with friends, and playing Fortnite.
She is very excited to work as Parlamentarian and how many great projects will come from this great Exec Board! |
Webmaster: Jaylee SowdersJaylee Sowders (she/they) is excited to be serving as Webmaster for the GLR-AMTAS e-board! She plans to graduate from the University of Dayton in 2024 with a BA in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology. While at Dayton, she is pursuing an honors thesis on music therapy treatment with adolescents with attachment trauma. To support their research, Jaylee just completed a summer term at the University of Oxford in England. Along with their studies, Jaylee also serves as the AMTA DEI Committee Student Representative, a team member of the @musictherapyednow platform, and Vice President of her school's music therapy club. She will soon begin applying for internships, and looks forward to engaging more with the student and professional community!
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Student Advisor: Bernadette Skodack
Bernadette Skodack received her bachelor’s in music from Furman University in Greenville, SC; her bachelor’s in music therapy from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI; and her master’s in music therapy from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. She has been the music therapist at Eisenhower Center in Ann Arbor, where she started the music therapy program in 2011. Bernadette currently works with adults who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, Veterans, retired NFL players, autistic adults, and individuals from CMH. She has completed training in Neurologic Music Therapy and the Sport Social Work Certificate from the University of Michigan. Bernadette has presented for the regional and national music therapy associations, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and the NFL Players Association Former Players Summer Getaway. She has been a guest lecturer at Alverno College, Lourdes University, and the University of Michigan. Bernadette is a co-chair of the Michigan Music Therapy Task Force, Student Advisor for the GLR-AMTA, President of the Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter for Sigma Alpha Iota, and Social Media Coordinator for the Dekers Blue Line Club supporting the University of Michigan men’s varsity hockey team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cross stitching, and playing trivia and strategy games with friends. Bernadette lives in Ypsilanti with her husband Josh and husky Loki. They can often be found enthusiastically supporting the University of Michigan Wolverines and Furman Paladins.
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