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 | Executive Director
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.
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.
Amy Berggren, MM, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Program Coordinator
Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in music, psychology, and Spanish from North Central College in Illinois in 2018. She completed her music therapy internship with HOH in 2019, became board certified in 2020, and has worked for HOH ever since! Amy specializes in working with early childhood intervention with particular interest in the relationship between music, child development, and literacy. She also has experience working with a variety of populations including individuals with developmental disabilities, addiction recovery, behavioral health, and hospice. In addition to her clinical work, Amy also oversees Higher Octave’s media accounts, website, and supervises interns and practicum students. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with her dog, going to weekly trivia nights with friends, and traveling.
Taylor Angilletta, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Julia Legler, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Kayla Neuberger, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Carly Jacobs, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
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.
our
Interns
Jihyeon Ryu
Music Therapy Intern
Jihyeon holds an undergraduate degree in piano performance from Korea. Her desire to utilize her musical talent to help people led her to pursue music therapy. Through her practicum experiences, Jihyeon gained valuable insights working with children with autism, young adults with developmental disabilities, and in a geriatric setting. She previously collaborated with HOH as a student and is excited to return to the company as an intern. Her primary instrument is the piano, and she has a passion for learning new instruments. Additionally, Jihyeon volunteers to teach Korean to second-generation children at the Korean school. In her free time, she enjoys going for coffee with friends, as well as taking walks or going for runs.
Tessa Burger
Music Therapy Intern
Tessa graduated from Wartburg College in May 2023 with a double major in Music Therapy and Music Education. Through her practicum experience, Tessa gained knowledge in working with elementary aged children with developmental disabilities, children with autism, and adults with developmental disabilities. In addition to this experience, she completed her student teaching in Iowa and has experience teaching K-8 general music and choir. Tessa is very excited for her new journey with HOH as an intern from a different state and institution! Her main instrument is voice, and she was honored to be in both of Wartburg College’s touring choirs during her four years. In her free time, Tessa enjoys puzzles, reading, and making resin crafts. She also looks forward to exploring all of the beautiful hiking and other outdoor activities that Arizona has to offer during her six months here. Tessa is looking forward to working with many different populations in her time at HOH to see where her career may be calling her in the future!