About
Meraki
Meraki (meh-rah-kee) is a Greek adjective used to describe doing something with "soul, creativity, or love" and to put one's self into whatever you do. I started this company because I love helping people through music. I create music with my clients with soul, creativity, and love. This is music therapy with meraki.
Music Therapy
The American Music Therapy Association describes music therapy as the clinical and evidence-based practice of using music to work on various non-musical goals. Common goal areas include improving language development, coping skills, fine and gross motor skills, increasing sustained and divided attention, improving social skills, and other areas. People of all ages and abilities can benefit from music therapy.
Music Enrichment
Music enrichment groups and classes are aimed at teaching children ukulele and guitar. The goal with these lessons is to instill an interest and love for music. Children will learn chords, basic theory, and basic songwriting during these sessions. My belief is that if you make music fun, children will naturally gravitate towards playing and learning. Music enrichment is viewed through a therapeutic lens with goals focused on improving social skills and self-expression.
Nicole Westerfield, MT-BC
About Nicole
Nicole is a born and raised New Orleans gal who received her bachelors in music therapy from Loyola New Orleans. During her training she completed a six month internship in Florida working with hospice before settling in Houston after passing her board certification exam. Nicole enjoys working with a wide range of people from children to older adults. Nicole uses a people-centered, collaborative approach to music therapy when working with clients.
Mincai hu, MM, mt-bc
About Mincai
Mincai started playing piano at five and began voice training in high school. She earned a Bachelor's in Piano Performance in 2013, winning scholarships and competing in piano contests. She completed Orff certification in Hong Kong and participated in music therapy workshops during college, starting her journey in 2017. In 2022, she received a Master's in music therapy from Ohio University, focusing on surveying music therapists working with clients with Huntington's disease in her thesis.
During her master's practicum, Mincai showcased her adaptability by teaching students with diverse needs, including special needs and hearing impairments. She excels at recognizing individual strengths and seamlessly integrating her expertise into music therapy sessions, crafting personalized plans for each client with patience and skill. Mincai’s philosophies are client-centered, multicultural/culture-centered, and holistic. To develop better treatment for the client, Mincai tailor approaches to meet the client’s needs.
Mincai, a lifelong learner, enjoys practicing yoga and fingerpicking on the guitar.
Ryan pennington, Mt-bc
About Ryan
Ryan grew up here in Houston and attend HSPVA before moving to New Orleans to pursue his bachelors in Music Therapy from Loyola New Orleans (same school and year as Nicole!). Ryan also studied Jazz while at Loyola and excels at improvisation on both guitar and piano. He completed his internship at the New Orleans Veterans Hospital. Ryan has recently completed the Neurological Music Therapy training to be an NMT certified music therapist. In his free time he is enjoying rediscovering Houston.