About

Melissa Ward

Owner, LPMT, MT-BC

Melissa received her degree from Elizabethtown College and went on to complete her internship at Kennedy Krieger School in Baltimore. She obtained her credentials, MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified) from the Certification Board for Music Therapists which upholds standards that are equal to or above state licensure standards.  Melissa also upholds requirements related to state licensure and is a Licensed Professional Music Therapist through the Maryland Department of Health Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists.   An active member of the Maryland Association of Music Therapy, Melissa keeps involved in her profession and continues her education to keep her skills fresh. Melissa is also a registered Music Together teacher and directs a program at Honey Bee Music, LLC in addition to her work with her private practice, Augmenting Ability, LLC. When not involved with work, Melissa, her husband, and young boys enjoy spending time with their animals. She also continues to enjoy playing the piano. 

Jennifer Sanders

Clinical Manager, LPMT, MT-BC

Our clinical manager, Jenny, is a native of the Richmond, Virginia area.  She attended Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology.  There, she developed her love of working with the developmental disabilities population. Jenny went on to complete her internship at the Ann Storck Center, a non-profit organization serving infants through adults with various developmental disabilities in southern Florida. She received her credentials as a Board Certified Music Therapist from the Certification Board for Music Therapists and is an active member of the American Music Therapy Association, both on the national and regional levels.  Jenny is also licensed in the state of Maryland as a LPMT.   In her spare time, Jenny enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and cooking.

Brian “Rusty” Miller

LPMT, MT-BC, Internship Supervisor

Brian “Rusty” Miller is a music therapist who enjoys working in a variety of settings in addition to being an internship supervisor.  He is a 2018 alumni of Slippery Rock University (SRU) who completed his internship at Richards Music Therapy Services in El Paso, TX.  During his time in Texas, Rusty worked with a variety of adults in multiple settings. When Rusty is not working he enjoys attending sporting events, playing violin/viola, volunteering and fostering with a dog rescue, and spending time with friends and family.

Monica Caluda

LPMT, MT-BC

Monica is a board certified music therapist and licensed music therapist in the state of Maryland. Monica received her music therapy degree from Elizabethtown College and went on to complete her teaching certification through Notre Dame of Maryland University. Monica taught programmatic music therapy for several years in Fairfax County Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools. She also has experience working at an outpatient pediatric clinic where she co-treated with other disciplines. Currently, Monica is pursuing her masters in psychology through the University of Baltimore. In her free time, Monica can often be found in the dance studio and is part of the ladies salsa team.

Erin Keenan

LPMT, MT-BC

Erin Keenan is state licensed and board certified music therapist practicing in the Baltimore region. Erin is originally from southern Anne Arundel County and graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in Music Therapy. Erin moved back to Baltimore and completed her internship at Augmenting Ability before joining the team permanently. Erin has enjoyed working with a variety of ages and populations focusing on neurodivergent children and teens. Erin often volunteers for community choirs, plays and musicals as well as providing music for hospitalized children. When she’s not playing music, she loves reading, cooking, hiking with her dogs and spending time with family. 

Natasha Montgomery

MEd, LPMT, MT-BC,

Internship Supervisor

Natasha is a Licensed and Board-Certified Music Therapist with a Master’s in Special Education. Natasha has 10 years of experience in the school system. They specialize in the Disabled population in an affirming care philosophy and decolonizing practice space. Coming from Virginia, Maryland has been a home away from home for them. When not working in the music therapy, you can find Natasha DJ-ing in the DMV area, taking care of their 2 dogs (Ripley & Frankie), and working part-time on a local, organic practicing farm.

Emily Sidelnikov

LPMT, MT-BC

Emily is a board-certified music therapist from Sparks, Maryland. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy, with a minor in Psychology from Montclair State University. Emily completed her internship at Levine Music in Montgomery County, where she discovered her passion for working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings.
Throughout her time in the music therapy field, Emily has worked with diverse populations across a wide range of settings, including special education schools, private clinics, and. psychiatric hospitals. Her experience spans individuals of all ages, and she is passionate about using her love of music to guide her clients towards gradual progress and improvement.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys traveling, exercising, reading, and cheering on the Baltimore Ravens.

Krystal Clarke

LPMT, MT-BC

Krystal is originally from Dickerson, Maryland and graduated from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA with her Bachelor’s in Music Therapy. Through her studies at Shenandoah University, Krystal has worked with clients of all ages, and gained experience working in nursing homes, special needs schools, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities. Krystal also spent several summers co-developing a music program for children with asthma at a summer camp run by the Winchester Medical Center. In March of 2015, Krystal completed her six month internship at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. There, Krystal trained as both a music therapist and child life specialist, working with doctors, nurses, and staff throughout the hospital to ensure a positive experience for children in any ward. She also spent time developing her program implementation skills by designing and providing music therapy services for adults in the Oncology and Pulmonary ward. During her internship, Krystal gained experience in pediatrics, palliative care, hospice, medical and rehabilitative care, as well as psychiatrics. In her spare time Krystal enjoys hiking, swimming, painting, traveling and cooking.

Hannah Donohue

LPMT, MT-BC

Hannah Donohue grew up in Fallston, Maryland, and now resides in Baltimore. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Elizabethtown College (Etown), Pennsylvania, and graduated summa cum laude. She has been playing the violin since age 9, and enjoyed leading Etown’s orchestra as concertmaster. Though violin is her primary instrument, she enjoys playing a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar, and even a little bit of ukulele, electric violin, and harmonica! Hannah has experience working with clients of all ages in public and special education, pediatric medical hospitals, senior living centers, private clinic spaces, and client homes. Her music therapy sessions take on an eclectic orientation, wherein multiple approaches are used to suit clients’ unique needs. Hannah is passionate about providing a supportive and empowering environment for her clients and adaptive lesson students. Outside of music therapy, her hobbies include assembling jigsaw puzzles, playing games, making art, attending concerts, and going on hikes.