معرفی
Melissa A. Reed serves as a Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Manager/Coordinator for the Music Therapy Program at Nazareth University's School of Music. She joined the institution in 2007 as adjunct faculty in music education before transitioning to full-time music therapy faculty in 2016. Reed manages the Lipson Music Therapy Clinic, co-founded the InterProfessional Animal-assisted Wellness (IPAW) Collaborative in 2021, and advises AMTAS-Naz (American Music Therapy Association Student Chapter).
Education
- Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and Music Education from Nazareth University
- Master of Science in Education from Nazareth University
Research Interests
Her clinical and scholarly work centers on Music Therapy interventions for children with diverse needs, bridging Special Education and developmental psychology. Reed pioneers Animal-Assisted Therapy integration through the IPAW Collaborative, exploring canine-facilitated wellness models. Her expertise spans Interprofessional Education frameworks and evidence-based practices in Classroom Music Education, with national recognition for therapeutic applications in neurodiverse populations.
Scientific Awards
- Outstanding Music Educator Award in Classroom Music (Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 2010)
Advising and Professional Activities
As faculty advisor for AMTAS-Naz, Reed mentors music therapy students while maintaining active clinical practice. Her 15-year pre-university career as a board-certified music therapist in Rochester informs her pedagogy. She is a sought-after presenter at national, regional, and state conferences on pediatric therapeutic techniques, with her Pet Partners-registered therapy dog Rosie enabling hands-on animal-assisted wellness research.
Labs and Teams
Reed directs the Lipson Music Therapy Clinic for clinical training and patient services. She co-founded the InterProfessional Animal-assisted Wellness (IPAW) Collaborative to develop cross-disciplinary wellness protocols. Her registered Pet Partners therapy team with Rosie operationalizes animal-human interaction studies in educational settings.
