Music Institute of Chicago

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VP of Creative Arts Therapy; Clinical Director, ITA; Drama Therapist

ITA Clinical Director, received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, his Master of Fine Arts degree from DePaul University and his Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University. Ted is an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology in the Child and Adolescent Track at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is a professional actor, director, and playwright with TV, stage, and radio credits; a former dramaturg and faculty member for the Raven Theatre; the Director of Project START; and Director for Eclipse Theatre. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Illinois Psychological Association, and the Central Region representative to the Board of the National Association of Drama Therapy.

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Founding Director, ITA; Clinical Consultant

Founding Director of ITA, founding board member of the National Association of Drama Therapy, and current Clinical Consultant to the ITA staff. Toddy received her M.Ed from National College of Education, and completed the Teacher Education Program at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. For many years she was an actress on stage and TV, and has taught drama therapy courses at Columbia College and National-Lewis University.

Practice Director; Art Therapist

Leslee received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is certified to teach art, kindergarten to grade 12, and completed the Teacher Education Program at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. A member of the American Art Therapy Association and the Illinois Art Therapy Association, Leslee has been practicing art therapy for over 25 years.

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ITA Operations Manager

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ITA Reception & Facility Rentals

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ITA Reception & Facility Rentals

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Art Therapy Consultant

Therapeutic Aid

atalie received her BFA at Columbia College, Chicago, in Fine Arts, concentrating in Ceramics. She has worked with young adults at the Conway Achievement Project, assisting students with disabilities.

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Therapeutic Aid

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VP of Creative Arts Therapy; Clinical Director, ITA; Drama Therapist

ITA Clinical Director, received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, his Master of Fine Arts degree from DePaul University and his Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University. Ted is an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology in the Child and Adolescent Track at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is a professional actor, director, and playwright with TV, stage, and radio credits; a former dramaturg and faculty member for the Raven Theatre; the Director of Project START; and Director for Eclipse Theatre. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Illinois Psychological Association, and the Central Region representative to the Board of the National Association of Drama Therapy.

Practice Director; Art Therapist

Leslee received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is certified to teach art, kindergarten to grade 12, and completed the Teacher Education Program at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. A member of the American Art Therapy Association and the Illinois Art Therapy Association, Leslee has been practicing art therapy for over 25 years.

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Music Therapist

Jenni received her BA in Music Therapy from Western Illinois University; she completed her clinical internship at Giant Steps Illinois, Inc., a therapeutic day school for children with Autism. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School for Professional Psychology. Before coming to ITA, she facilitated music therapy groups at the Friend Center in Deerfield, Illinois for adults with early stage Alzheimer’s Disease and led groups for adolescents with disabilities at the Hanson Center in Burr Ridge, IL. Jenni is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Illinois Association for Music Therapy.

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Director, Drama & Dance Movement Therapy; Dance/Movement Therapist

Luv received her Masters Degree from Columbia College, and her BA from Emory University. She has experience working with children and adults in various settings, including therapeutic schools, nursing homes, and adult day centers. Luv is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association, and has presented at local and national conferences. She is a professional actor and dancer, and founder and artistic co-director of SHE Performance Collective.

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Director of Art Therapy

Mollie received her Bachelor degree in art and psychology from Montana State University and her Master degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has extensive experience working with special needs adolescents and chronically mentally ill adults, and recently qualified for Licensed Professional Counselor certification.

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Drama Therapist

Keith graduated from DePaul University’s Theater School with a BFA in Acting, and completed his Masters degree in Therapeutic and Educational Drama from Lesley College. He performed and conducted drama workshops in correctional institutions throughout North America, England, Scotland and Ireland with Geese Theater Company, and has used theatre techniques to work with Chicago’s immigrant population. Keith completed training at the Psychodrama Training Institute of Chicago and interned at Columbia Lakeshore Hospital. He is a veteran stage actor who performs and teaches improvisation at Chicago’s ComedySportz Theatre.

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Assistant Director of Music Therapy

Alana holds a Bachelor of Music, Music Therapy and Vocal Performance, Ohio University with further study at Centro Studi Italiani, Urbania, Italy. Student of Raymond Feener; coaching with Natalia Rivera; master classes with Benton Hess, Jerrold Pope. Following her studies, Alana completed a music therapy clinical internship at Children's Mercy Hospital working primarily with children diagnosed with cancer and undergoing rehabilitation. She has experience teaching private voice and as a choir accompanist, and served as the Contemporary Worship Leader and Director of Children's Music for Red Bridge United Methodist Church, Kansas City. Alana is a member of the American Music Therapy Association.

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Music Therapist

Justina is a graduate of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  There she received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy in 2006 and is furthering her education by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.  She completed her clinical internship at Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospitals & Clinics – University of California San Francisco, where she worked with adults with mental illness.  Justina is a member of the American Music Therapy Association.  

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Music Therapist

Christy graduated from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, and completed her music therapy training at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A former ITA intern, Christy is trained in Neurologic Music Therapy, and is in the process of completing her Masters of Music in music therapy, also from Western Michigan University.

Music Therapist

Yayoi’s Music Therapy Masters is from Western Michigan University (WMU) as his her Bachelors. She also has Bachelor’s degree of Social Welfare from Yamaguchi Prefectural University (Japan) At WMU, she served as a music therapy graduate assistant (clinical supervisor) and as a Japanese language instructor. She was also a presenter at 2006 Great Lakes Region music therapy conference.

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Music Therapist

Kim received her Bachelor of Music Therapy from the University of Evansville in Indiana. She has previously worked at the Fort Wayne State Developmental Center with adults diagnosed with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and had a private practice working with adults and children. Kim is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Illinois Association for Music Therapy.

Music Therapist; Evanston Reception

Katy received her bachelor of fine arts from The University of Kansas. Katy specializes in geriatric populations but has worked with a variety of populations; TBI, deaf children, adults and children with MR, and many school children with various disabilities. She was the dementia unit coordinator at a long-term care facility and worked as a music therapist at the Highland Park Hospital Alternative Adult Day program. Katy performs throughout Chicago and is a member of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago. Katy is also a member of the American Music Therapy Association.