Mei-Ling Tan

Mei-Ling Tan serves as Scientific Associate at the Research Institute for Creative Arts Therapies (RIArT) within Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, concurrently working as Music Therapist at Diakonissen Seniorenstift Bürgerhospital Speyer since late 2024. Her dual roles bridge clinical practice with academic research in creative arts therapies.

Her academic credentials include:

• M.A. Music Therapy from SRH University Heidelberg (Germany)
• P.G.D.E. (Secondary) in Music and English from National Institute of Education (Singapore)
• B.Mus. (Hons) Music Composition from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore)

Tan's research specializes in community-based therapeutic applications for vulnerable populations, with dual focus on elderly care through group singing interventions and youth mental health through songwriting. Her master's thesis pioneered activity theory applications in aging research, while current work addresses trauma recovery for Ahr Valley flood survivors through the kreARTiv project. She actively contributes to evidence-based practice through systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Her notable recognition includes:

• Young Arts Therapies Research Award from Scientific Society for Artistic Therapies (2023)

Tan collaborates on high-impact research initiatives including dementia symptom management through music interventions (with Martina de Witte) and vocal therapy guidelines development (with Sylka Uhlig), while supporting WHO-aligned projects through the International Research Alliance for Creative Arts Therapies. Her professional engagement spans multiple international organizations advancing therapeutic practice standards.

She maintains active membership in four professional associations: Association of Music Therapy Association Singapore, German Music Therapy Society, Scientific Society for Artistic Therapies, and International Association for Music and Medicine.