Meet our team
Therapists
All HOH music therapists are nationally board-certified through the Certification Board of Music Therapists, meeting rigorous, ongoing continuing education guidelines following degree and certification. Our variety of therapist backgrounds exceed required degrees/certifications to practice in Arizona (trainings in CPR, First Aid, Article 9, HealthRHYTHMS, GIM, and NMT.)
Shelbe White, MM, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Chief Executive Officer
Shelbe has a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy and a master’s degree in Clarinet Performance, both from Arizona State University. She has worked for Higher Octave Healing since 2015, serving the organization in various capacities. Shelbe’s clinical work has touched several fields including developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, early intervention, and addiction recovery. Shelbe became Executive Director of HOH in 2023. In this role, she leads the organization’s team of talented music therapists in continuing its legacy of empowering people in our community through music therapy. She has a particular passion for program development and community partnership. In addition to her work at HOH, Shelbe serves on the Executive Board for the Western Region of the American Music Therapy Association. She also has a passion for teaching adaptive music lessons for those with a variety of needs.
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Program Specialist
Sarah Melton, MA, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Neurologic Music Therapist, Fellow | Clinical Director
Sarah has her undergraduate degree in music therapy and a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. She also has a Master of Arts degree in music therapy from Berklee College of Music with thesis work on the impact of music on sensory integration in the brain. Sarah completed her neurologic music therapy (NMT) fellowship process in 2018 and remains actively engaged in the NMT community. She also enjoys supervising other music therapists and music therapy interns. Sarah’s clinical work has included an emphasis in autism and developmental disabilities, consulting experience training special education staff, an internship in hospice, and work with individuals with traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and rare genetic conditions. Sarah loves staying active in her free time by dancing, hiking, and practicing yoga.
K.C. Bradham, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Program Coordinator
K.C. holds bachelor’s degrees in music therapy and computer information systems, as well as a master’s in business administration. In his former life, he worked as a software engineer until he decided to pursue a career in music therapy so he could fulfill his two biggest passions in life; music and helping people. He earned his music therapy degree from ASU in 2018 studying classical guitar and jazz drumming. Since becoming board certified he has enjoyed working with individuals with developmental disabilities as well as military veterans with post traumatic stress and is thrilled to be part of the Higher Octave team.
Kayla Neuberger, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Program Coordinator
Carly Jacobs, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Communications Specialist
Carly received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from ASU in May of 2023. She completed her internship with Higher Octave Healing in December of 2023. Carly has experience working with many different populations such as hospice, children with developmental disabilities, addiction recovery, and many more. Carly is excited to meet and work with many individuals to help them achieve their goals through music therapy. In her free time, Carly enjoys making crafts, building Legos, and spending time with her dogs.
Julia Legler, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Tristyn Baum, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Program Coordinator
Tristyn graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy at Arizona State University in 2022 and completed her internship with Higher Octave Healing in July 2023 in which she worked with adults in addiction recovery, individuals with developmental disabilities, and hospice. Since becoming certified in October 2023, Tristyn has worked with children and adults with varying disabilities in a school and 1:1 setting. She is delighted to continue working with many more populations through HOH. With her primary instrument being violin, Tristyn is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience as she provides violin coaching for a local fiddle group for students grades 6-12. In her spare time, Tristyn can be found taking on countless DIY projects and listening to her favorite band Big Time Rush.
Rachel Michels, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University in December of 2023. Rachel has experience working with clients in early childhood development as well as children, adolescents and adults with varying disabilities. She is eager to work with new populations with HOH. In her free time, Rachel loves to read, build Legos, travel, and spend time with family.
Sam Klein, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from Concordia University, Sam moved to Arizona in 2019 to pursue her master’s degree in music therapy at ASU. Since receiving her master’s in 2022, Sam has been working with a variety of populations in the community such as addiction recovery, developmental disabilities, early intervention, psychiatric disorders, and hospice care. Her passion lies in mental health/substance abuse care and has experience working in a level 1 psychiatric facility. At this facility, Sam developed a music therapy program for children ages 5-12 to promote emotional regulation and self-expression. Recently, Sam received her NICU-MT certification, in which she hopes to blend her passions for addiction recovery and children. In her spare time, Sam enjoys taking care of her houseplants, listening to Taylor Swift, and doing puzzles.
our
Interns
Seth Morton
Music Therapy Intern
Seth graduated with his degree in Music Therapy from Arizona State University in May of 2024. Through his practicum experience, Seth has had the opportunity to work with elementary aged children with developmental disabilities, children, teens, and adults in a mental health facility, and a geriatric population in a mental health unit. Seth has previously volunteered with HOH as part of their Rock Band program. His main instrument is voice, and enjoys using it in a variety of genres and styles! As a private music teacher, Seth has had the opportunity to teach piano, guitar, and voice to both children and adults and shares his passion of music in everything he does. In their free time, Seth enjoys working out, Dungeons and Dragons, and enjoying music in its many capacities!
Karen Hernandez
Music Therapy Intern
Karen graduated from Arizona State University in May 2024 with a bachelor’s in music therapy. Through her practicum experience, Karen gained experience working with pediatric hospice, adolescent behavioral health unit, dementia day center, and adults with developmental disabilities. She previously collaborated with HOH as a student and realized this would be a top choice for her internship completion. Her primary instrument is piano and is also proficient as a drummer and guitarist. Karen enjoys volunteering through youth programs and various food pantries/kitchen serving communities across the valley. In her free time, she enjoys anything that is outdoors from hiking to skydiving. Karen moved here from Texas and enjoys all the beautiful scenery that Arizona has to offer and is looking forward to working alongside the staff at HOH.