Renowned music therapy program attracts Melita Belgrave to ASU School of Music faculty

The ASU School of Music is pleased to welcome Melita Belgrave to the position of professor of music therapy, beginning in August 2016. Belgrave is currently an associate professor of music therapy at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

“We are thrilled that Melita Belgrave will join our faculty in fall 2016,” says Heather Landes, director of the ASU School of Music. “Dr. Belgrave brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that aligns well with our current faculty and promises to enhance the educational experience for our music therapy students.”

Belgrave received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Michigan State University, and her master’s in music therapy, a certification in aging studies, and a PhD in music education with an emphasis in music therapy from Florida State University.

“My undergraduate degree was completed where there was an on-campus music therapy clinic for student training and faculty clinical work and research,” Belgrave says. “I believe in that model of training, and I’m excited to see that ASU has a similar model. I look forward to being involved with the music therapy clinic and community through implementing intergenerational and wellness-based music therapy programs for older adults.”

Belgrave has worked as a music therapist in special education, mental health, rehabilitation, hospice, geriatric and intergenerational settings throughout Texas and Florida. Her research interests are music therapy with older adults and intergenerational programming.

“The music therapy program at ASU is well-recognized in our field, and I am looking forward to contributing to the program through my teaching, research, and service,” Belgrave says. “There is also a large population of older adults in the Tempe and Phoenix area — my research population — and an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute connected to ASU, which I look forward to potentially collaborating with in the future.”

Belgrave has presented at regional, national and international conferences, and her research has been published in both the Journal of Music Therapy and Journal of Music Therapy Perspectives. She currently serves on the Public Information and Outreach Committee for the Certification Board for Music Therapists.