The Oregon Association for Music Therapy

President

ANGIE KOPSHY, MM, MT-BC

Angie Kopshy, MM, MT-BC, is the founder and CEO of The Global Music Therapy Project (GMTP), an organization that utilizes music to achieve non-musical goals. Through the GMTP, she partners with colleges and hospitals to build heart-centered programs, supporting diverse populations.

Angie holds a Master of Music degree in piano and is specialized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) music therapy, working in the NICU at PeaceHealth Southwest. Her clinical work extends to:

• Neurodivergent Children (18 months - 11 years old)

• Hospital Settings

• Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Patients

• Individuals with Dementia

She hosts the "Make Your Life a Musical" podcast and is looking forward to the 2026 launch of GMTP's primary fundraiser, Bingo. Angie also contributes to accessible music education by creating songs and videos for children on GMTP's YouTube channel. Her work reflects a dedication to music therapy's power to impact lives across the lifespan. Angie actively writes and performs with her indie-pop band, Stoneface Honey.

PRESIDENt-elect

melissa gabel, MME, MT-BC

Melissa Gabel, MME, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapists as well as the clinical coordinator and a professor of the Pacific University Music Therapy program.

Melissa grew up near Dallas, TX then moved to Lawrence, KS, where she received her bachelor's and master's in music therapy from the University of Kansas and held positions as a graduate teaching assistant and clinical supervisor for the KU music therapy clinic.

Her clinical background is in community mental health, women's corrections, child/adolescent residential psych, private practice (former owner/entrepreneur), and hospice. She has a passion for working with adults and older adults with mental health needs and integrating psychotherapy approaches into music therapy clinical practice - her master’s thesis topic!

Melissa’s primary instrument is the flute/piccolo with additional formal instruction and competency in piano, guitar, ukulele, harp, general percussion, West African drumming, and Brazilian steel pan/drumming.

When Melissa is not teaching or supervising students, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three kitties, training in aerial arts and a variety of forms of movement, paddle boarding, exploring nature, crocheting, and reading.

Vice PRESIDENT

carolyn thibodeau, MT-BC

Carolyn Thibodeau, MT-BC, is a Board Certified Music Therapist with over 25 years of experience working with elders.

Carolyn has a deep rooted passion for lifting the spirits of others through music. Over the many years that she has worked with the elder population she has gained a great amount of respect and compassion for elders. Her main focus is her work is Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

She has recently began working in hospice as well. It is very important to Carolyn that our beloved elders be honored and celebrated. It is Carolyn’s desire to get to know each and every client and to be able to enhance their lives through music.

Carolyn is an Oregon native, having grown up in the Portland Metro area. She had a love for music from a very young age, studying piano, voice, dance and being involved in numerous shows on Portland stages. Upon graduating in 1991 from Rex Putnam High School located in Milwaukie Oregon, Carolyn received a scholarship to attend George Fox University in Newberg Oregon. She graduated in 1994 with a BA in Vocal Performance. Carolyn continued her studies to become a Music Therapist at Willamette University in Salem Oregon. Once she completed her Music Therapy internship and received her BA in Music Therapy in 1998, she began her private practice Thibodeau Music.

Carolyn is loving and very kind. She puts an abundance of time and effort into everything that she does, always putting the concern of others before herself. Carolyn is married to Scott Thibodeau and has 2 children, Amanda 20 and Zack 18. Carolyn loves to sing, play the guitar and the piano, work in her garden, sew, knit, and spend time visiting with her family and friends.

Secretary

CJ Arnce, MT-BC

CJ Arnce, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist.

My name is CJ Arnce and I am the 2026 OAMT secretary!

I'm a recently certified music therapist working in hospice in Portland, Oregon. I graduated from Pacific University as a voice primary in 2025 while working at TopGolf to put myself through school  I currently live with my partner in Hillsboro, OR where we are ruled by our two cats Kali and Tucker. I recently joined a band called The New Analog where we (will eventually) perform songs from the 60s-2000s. I also enjoy horror movies, cooking/nutrition, animals, and reality TV. I aim to build connections with many music therapists and "bridge" connections between others through "The Bridge" newsletter and social media to unify Oregon and SW Washington music therapists!

Treasurer

Mikelia Wallace, MT-BC

Mikelia Wallace, MT-BC, specializes in Neurologic Music Therapy and child development.

Originally from Florida, Mikelia brings insight to Oregon music therapy from her time working on medicaid waiver programs and other service models. She strives to make Oregon music therapy sustainable, high quality, and accessible to all Oregonians who would benefit. When not actively practicing music therapy and engaged with advocacy efforts, you can find her exploring trails, snuggling with her cats, or searching for the best falafel in Portland. 

Public Relations 

Kaelin Mcclure, MM, MTL, MT-BC

Kaelin McClure, MM, MTL, MT-BC, is a licensed, board-certified music therapist, and owner of Supporting Tones Music Therapy LLC, in southwest Washington.

She earned her master’s degree in music therapy in 2024 from Colorado State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in business in 2007 from Washington State University. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and after years away, she is excited to be back and support the music therapy community in Oregon and southwest Washington.

Kaelin practices person centered therapy, informed by trauma and neurological care. She empowers clients to collaborate and direct areas of focus. She uses music with intention to provide support and resources to clients to enhance their overall health and well-being. Kaelin is especially passionate about supporting clients with mental health concerns, working with adolescents, and supporting neurodiverse individuals.

Kaelin’s love for music started at an early age, shaping and defining her as a musician. Music has supported Kaelin through her own mental health journey, neurodiversity and helped her navigate being the mother of multiple children that are neurodiverse. She advocates for services that allow clients to accept and celebrate strengths and differences and show up in the world authentically.

Media Coordinator

austin johnson, MT-BC

Austin Johnson, MT-BC, is a hospice music therapist.

My name is Austin Johnson and I am a hospice music therapist. I have served on the OAMT board a few years as the student representative, and am excited to join the board again as the media relations coordinator. I have served a media coordinator position before on the WRAMTAS board and loved it. My goal while serving on the board is to get more community engagement on the facebook page as well as improve communication between the board and the music therapy community. I have a cat name Elvira and she is polydactyl, and I like to crochet. 

Student Representative

kendall guiney, Student Music Therapist

Kendall Guiney and I am studying in order to get my MT-BC at Pacific University.

Kendall is the founder and president of the Pacific University Songwriting Club and is the CORE Representative for the Pacific University Music Therapy Club. This is her first year on the OAMT Board. She hopes to advocate for music therapy and help students with network opportunities as well as provide support for their academic journey to becoming a professional MT-BC.