Our Story Begins with Mella
Mary Louise (Mella) Udall Palmer used the power of music to lift and inspire. Her life was filled with service to others, and often that service was centered in music, whether at the organ, piano, or in a choral group. With grace she endured a long struggle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
But the memory of her life and character live on through this company.
At Mella Music Therapy, we focus on using Neurologic Music Therapy techniques to provide a supportive and welcoming environment where individuals and families can thrive.
Whether you are coming to us for your child, yourself or for an older loved one struggling with brain functioning we can work with them to improve speech, focus, socialization and so much more.
Our Team
Meet our team of experienced, board-certified music therapists
Charlotte Stewart, MT-BC, NMT Fellow
Charlotte Palmer Stewart, MT-BC, is the Founder and Director of Mella Music Therapy, LLC, a music therapy agency which focuses on serving people of all ages with social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, physical, and communication needs. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and later graduated from Arizona State University with a Clinical Masters in Music Therapy.
Charlotte received advanced training at the Neurologic Music Therapy Training Institute through the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University to earn her Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) certificate and is currently an NMT fellow.
Charlotte enjoys working with a variety of populations from toddlers, teens, and adults, using evidenced-based music therapy techniques to enhance well-being and to remediate and rehabilitate. She strives to make her clinic a respite for her clients and their parents and caregivers. She believes in being a team player with parents, caregivers, and other therapists and professionals to give each client the best care possible.
Sandra Zamora- MT-BC
Sandra graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She completed the first half of her internship in Michigan at a hospice before the pandemic hit, and completed the second half at Mella Music Therapy. She is excited to be back at Mella Music Therapy as a board certified music therapist. Sandra strives to create a comforting and encouraging environment for everyone. She has experience working with a broad range of populations, and wants to continue exploring the bounds of music therapy and learning from those around her.
Liz – Administrative Assistant
Liz is our administrative assistant. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton in Molecular Biology and a PhD in Genetics from Harvard. She left research behind long ago for her family life with her 3 kids – 2 college age boys and a girl in high school.
In her free time, Liz plays keyboards and bass guitar in a classic rock band. She loves music, she’s very interested in music therapy, and is very eager to assist our clients and their families in any way possible.
Ashley Love – Music Therapy Intern
Ashley graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She aspires to create an environment of openness and respect, always with the goal of making her clients feel heard in every interaction she has with them. Ashley has worked with a wide range of populations, but wants to one day open a 501(c)(3) charity center where active-duty military members and their families, as well as veterans, can experience not only music therapy, but other beneficial creative arts therapies without having to worry about the cost.
In her free time, she writes and records music, plays the electric guitar, and enjoys keeping herself active by country swing dancing.
Affiliations and Partnerships
