What is USUMTSA and what do we do?
The Utah State University Music Therapy Student Association is a nonprofit organization that helps students connect with fellow classmates, faculty, professionals, and the community as a whole as they progress through their music therapy education. Our students strive for excellence as they develop their clinical and therapeutic music therapy skills. For example, each year Utah State University's Music Therapy Forum is organized and presented entirely by students to advocate for the benefits of music therapy within the community. We host lots of activities, social events, fundraising opportunities, and special events throughout the academic year. Students in USUMTSA are also actively involved in collaboration with other music therapy professional affiliations such as the Utah Association for Music Therapists, Western Region of Music Therapy Association Students, and we encourage participation in American Music Therapy Association events and conferences.
USUMTSA students strive to develop a wide variety of musical skills through composing and/or performing songs which are showcased in bi-annual music therapy concerts held at the Caine College of the Arts. Our annual Fall concert, Muses, offers students the opportunity to share what inspires them musically and culturally through meaningful performances that are intended to showcase our growing clinical musicianship skills. In the Spring, we have a chance to develop and showcase our unique songwriting skills through various songwriting opportunities and events that culminate in a showcase of our original songs.
USUMTSA looks forward to continuing to support our students in their journey to become an exceptional music therapist and change the world for the better.
USUMTSA students strive to develop a wide variety of musical skills through composing and/or performing songs which are showcased in bi-annual music therapy concerts held at the Caine College of the Arts. Our annual Fall concert, Muses, offers students the opportunity to share what inspires them musically and culturally through meaningful performances that are intended to showcase our growing clinical musicianship skills. In the Spring, we have a chance to develop and showcase our unique songwriting skills through various songwriting opportunities and events that culminate in a showcase of our original songs.
USUMTSA looks forward to continuing to support our students in their journey to become an exceptional music therapist and change the world for the better.
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Who represents USUMTSA?
Meet the 2024-2025 Academic Year USUMTSA Executive Board
President: Madison Black
Hey everyone! My name is Madison Black, and I am beyond thrilled to be serving as the USUMTSA President this year! I am from Meridian, Idaho and am the oldest of 6 kids. Some of my favorite things in life are being on the front row at concerts and spending as much time out in nature as possible! I’m also extremely passionate about music therapy (no surprise there) and my ultimate goal is to be able to work with teenagers with various mental health diagnoses. I’m so excited for the incredible year we have ahead of us! |
President-Elect: Mallory Mcalister
Hey I’m Mallory, and I’m a Junior in the music therapy program. I’m from California, I love swimming, being outside, sports, and of course music! My end goal is to work as a music therapist with children. As President-Elect, my job is to assist the President and learn from them. This year, I will be increasing my knowledge of the music therapy field and of our program here at Utah State. Next year as the President, I will use what I’ve learned this year to continue to create an uplifting and productive community for our students! |
Treasurer: Whitney Waite
Hey! My name is Whitney Waite, and I’m a senior in the Music Therapy program. I am from Colorado, and moved to Logan to attend Utah State. I love the outdoors, baking bread, spending time with friends, and of course music therapy! One of my favorite parts about our program has been the consistent opportunities for advocacy. I love telling family and friends and everyone who asks about what music therapy is and what we get to do! |
Community Outreach Chair: Savanah Cook
My name is Savanah Cook and I fulfill the community outreach position for USUMTSA! I’m originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. I love reading on my kindle and baking in my free time. My favorite part about playing piano is writing and arranging my own music! It’s my senior year in the program, so I’m really excited to serve on the board this year and help the program best I can! |
Special Events Coordinator: Ben Teeples
Hi! I'm Ben Teeples, and I'm excited to be your Activities Coordinator for the 2024-25 school year! I'm a senior in the Music Therapy program, and once I'm graduated, I hope to work with kids with autism and go on to get a Masters of Social Work and LCSW. Outside of music, my hobbies include running, hiking, spending time outside, and putting puzzles together. If you have any ideas for activities or want to be involved in planning, feel free to reach out! |

Publicity/Social Media Coordinator: Bailey Oleson
Hey y'all!! My name is Bailey Oleson, and I’m a sophomore in the Music Therapy program. The majority of my school years were spent in Northern Nevada keeping busy with a packed schedule of sports, music, clubs, and other academic endeavors. However, in May of 2020, my world shifted when my family moved to Utah just before starting my senior year. With an added measure of time from the global pandemic, I started teaching myself some basic guitar skills, which proved helpful in gaining proficiency and being accepted into USU's Music Therapy program. Formerly studying Early Childhood Education at BYU, I have a love of and passion for working with and helping people. So, when I later found out about Music Therapy, I was hooked to say the least! Music has been the focal point of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am more than excited to be able to share the holistic healing and connectedness that music brings with everyone I possibly can!
Hey y'all!! My name is Bailey Oleson, and I’m a sophomore in the Music Therapy program. The majority of my school years were spent in Northern Nevada keeping busy with a packed schedule of sports, music, clubs, and other academic endeavors. However, in May of 2020, my world shifted when my family moved to Utah just before starting my senior year. With an added measure of time from the global pandemic, I started teaching myself some basic guitar skills, which proved helpful in gaining proficiency and being accepted into USU's Music Therapy program. Formerly studying Early Childhood Education at BYU, I have a love of and passion for working with and helping people. So, when I later found out about Music Therapy, I was hooked to say the least! Music has been the focal point of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am more than excited to be able to share the holistic healing and connectedness that music brings with everyone I possibly can!

Freshman Representative: Josh Dew
My name is Josh Dew. I grew up in Cache Valley and returned as an ex-cello performance major to pursue music therapy. I play piano and am currently learning the guitar. I come from a family of 9 that taught me to dream. With the belief that nearly everyone can benefit from it, I aim to increase community awareness of music therapy. Aside from practicing, I love running, comedy, and food.
My name is Josh Dew. I grew up in Cache Valley and returned as an ex-cello performance major to pursue music therapy. I play piano and am currently learning the guitar. I come from a family of 9 that taught me to dream. With the belief that nearly everyone can benefit from it, I aim to increase community awareness of music therapy. Aside from practicing, I love running, comedy, and food.
Want to join USUMTSA?
Membership is open to any current or prospective music therapy student at Utah State. You can join at any time by paying a nominal annual membership fee. For current rates and additional information on how to join, please email us at [email protected].
Interested in running for a leadership position?
Elections for USUMTSA happen every academic year at the start of the Fall semester. Information about the various board positions and eligibility requirements can be found by clicking here.
Still unsure about the advantages of joining?
In addition to gaining access to a passionate community of like-minded students and faculty mentors, joining USUMTSA provides you with full access to all of our activities, socials, and events that might otherwise have an admission fee. We also provide access to unique networking opportunities, fun free giveaways and music therapy swag, and members-only scholarship opportunities based on our fundraising efforts. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, USUMTSA gives students a chance to amplify our voices and advocate for ourselves and our future profession.
Membership is open to any current or prospective music therapy student at Utah State. You can join at any time by paying a nominal annual membership fee. For current rates and additional information on how to join, please email us at [email protected].
Interested in running for a leadership position?
Elections for USUMTSA happen every academic year at the start of the Fall semester. Information about the various board positions and eligibility requirements can be found by clicking here.
Still unsure about the advantages of joining?
In addition to gaining access to a passionate community of like-minded students and faculty mentors, joining USUMTSA provides you with full access to all of our activities, socials, and events that might otherwise have an admission fee. We also provide access to unique networking opportunities, fun free giveaways and music therapy swag, and members-only scholarship opportunities based on our fundraising efforts. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, USUMTSA gives students a chance to amplify our voices and advocate for ourselves and our future profession.