(314) 730-5313
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Meet the Team
TRACIE SANDHEINRICH, MA, LPC, MT-BC
Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board-Certified Music Therapist,
Director of Clinical Services & Development
SPECIALIZATION:
Adult, geriatric, hospice/palliative care, neurologic rehabilitation, pediatric medical, chronic illness, grief/bereavement support, sexual assault/IPV, personal-centered/strength-based theories, trauma-informed care (all ages), mental health counseling
Tracie has been a music therapist for over 16 years. She grew up in a musical family, singing and playing music at her church and the nursing home where her grandmother lived for many years. After being introduced to music therapy, she pursued it as a professional career. She graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO with a bachelor's degree in music therapy in 2008. Following her clinical internship, she worked at BJC Hospice in Farmington, MO from 2007 to 2009, providing music therapy to patients with terminal illnesses. In 2009, she started her own music therapy company called Through Melody (Illinois), which later merged into Music Therapy St. Louis (originally founded in 2018), where she now serves as Owner and Director of Clinical Services & Development. Also, in November 2009, Tracie helped pioneer Kids Rock Cancer, a community outreach/non-profit program affiliated with Maryville University. The program aims to support children and families dealing with cancer and blood disorders through the therapeutic process of songwriting and recording. For 13 years, Tracie supported patients, supervised additional music therapists, oversaw practicum and internship students, and engaged in supportive performances, community engagement, and fundraising. She found ongoing inspiration from the participants and their families and continually encouraged each individual to write their own story, firmly believing that everyone has a song to sing. Apart from her work in music therapy, Tracie completed a master’s in professional counseling at Lindenwood University. Tracie has vast experience working with various populations and program development (for-profit & non-profit), including those with chronic illnesses, geriatrics, trauma, cancer, grief/bereavement, and survivors of sexual assault/intimate partner violence (Angel Band Project). Her therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, strength-based, trauma-informed care, humanistic, and person-centered theories. Tracie strives to create a space where clients feel understood and valued and work with them to explore their strengths, build resilience, and achieve their personal goals. She also thoroughly enjoys collaboration with her rock-star team of therapists!
DESTINY BUSHWAY, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children and adults of varying abilities, mental health, medical, hospice, geriatric + palliative care
Music has been a part of Destiny’s life since she can remember. Her family is very musical and her father taught music when she was a child. This made music a part of everyday life for her. She began singing and taking piano lessons at a very young age and her desire to be involved with music continued to grow. All through her early education, she was involved in choirs and bands. It was in her teens that she joined her first contemporary band and fell in love with performing and songwriting. She has continued to write songs and play in bands as well as being involved in the direction of a church band for nearly a decade. Her desire to use music in a career that would serve others continued to nudge her through her twenties when she learned about music therapy through her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was intrigued by how music affected her so positively through one of the most difficult times of her family’s lives. This is where she learned that her love for music and for helping others could be combined in the use of music therapy. Since that point, she knew that’s where she belonged and has been pursuing that dream ever since. She received her Bachelors in Music Therapy at Maryville University.
ANNA M. DREXELIUS, MMT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children, teens, and adults of varying abilities + memory care + trauma
Anna has been specializing in mental health care since 2011, working in long-term inpatient settings, acute inpatient psychiatric care, and community-based services. She is passionate about using music to help others heal from trauma, overcome obstacles, and build the lives they want. Anna believes in creating safe, inclusive environments for therapy participants to express, explore, and transform their thoughts and feelings. She also encourages the use of practical strategies to meet personal goals and enhance unique perspectives on health and wellness. In addition to mental health concerns, Anna enjoys working with children and adults of all abilities, using music to create opportunities for success, autonomy, joy, and individual authenticity. When working with people receiving hospice care, Anna focuses on helping them live fully while dying, building a legacy, and processing painful feelings associated with end-of-life care. Anna earned a Bachelor of Music Performance (viola) degree from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music Therapy degree at Maryville University. Her master's specialization project explored opportunities for integrating music therapy into the practice of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
SARAH BERNSTEIN, MMT, MT-BC, NMT
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Neurologic Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children, pediatric medical/hospital, pre and peri natal families + neurologic rehabilitation
Sarah is a passionate music enthusiast dedicated to helping others. She designed her undergraduate program at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, integrating music, psychology, and pre-med courses, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2014. She went on to earn a Master of Music Therapy degree from Maryville University and has been a practicing Board-Certified Music Therapist since 2017. Throughout her career, Sarah has worked in various settings, such as the Special School District, Lafayette Industries, Pujols Family Foundation, The Angel Band Project, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, providing assessment and treatment plans for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. In her free time, Sarah cherishes moments with her family and friends and enjoys singing with the St. Louis Women’s Chorale. She is married, adores her dogs, and has a strong affection for sushi. Sarah is excited to be part of the Music Therapy St. Louis team!
KAELA STAHLHUT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist, Creative Director
SPECIALIZATION:
Children, teens, and adults of varying abilities, geriatric
Kaela started her musical journey in fourth grade when her elementary school had a visit from the high school orchestra teacher. She fell in love with the violin and played it until she had to have her fingers bandaged! Kaela continued her violin studies through school and into college, participating in school and university symphonies, district and state competitions, and community ensembles. Kaela first learned about music therapy at a workshop for ILMEA solo & ensemble. This piqued her interest and she decided to research it further. She then pursued a bachelor's degree in music therapy from Drury University and graduated in May 2020. Following her internship at Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC in St. Petersburg, FL, she accepted a position at an assisted living and memory care facility in Ladue, MO. During the pandemic, she continued working with Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC through telehealth and in person from 2021 until the spring of 2022. While she enjoyed her time in Florida, Kaela and her husband ultimately decided to move back to the St. Louis area to be closer to friends and family. Kaela has developed a love for working with diverse populations. Kaela, who is also the Creative Director for MTSTL, brings her creative vision to online presence and community outreach.
MADELEINE ECKERT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children and adults of varying abilities, hospice, geriatric
+ palliative care
Madeleine has always had a passion for music. From taking dance, piano, and voice lessons to participating in various choirs from elementary school through college, music has always been a significant part of her life. Alongside her love for music, Madeleine has always had a strong desire to serve others. When she discovered music therapy at a summer music camp, Madeleine knew that this would be her lifelong career. While studying at the University of Miami, Madeleine completed her practicum requirements in various medical settings in the Miami area. To broaden her music therapy experience, Madeleine did her internship with a private practice in Louisville, KY. During her time there, she worked mainly at an inpatient psychiatric facility but also with adults of varying abilities and children in an inclusive school setting. In August of 2021, Madeleine earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a double major in Psychology. After a short break, during which she got married and moved to rural Iowa, Madeleine started working as a contractor for a private practice called the Joy of Music, LLC. There, she worked with hospice patients and children with disabilities in the southeastern Iowa region. It was in this role that she discovered her passion for working with the hospice and geriatric populations. After nearly a year in Iowa, Madeleine and her husband decided to move to the St. Louis area to be closer to family. Madeleine is enthusiastic about her work with MTSTL and is grateful for the opportunity to provide music therapy for populations who may not typically have access to such services.
GRACE BURNS, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
hospice, geriatrics, children and adult all abilities
Grace Burns, MT-BC, graduated from the University of Evansville with her Bachelor of Music Therapy in 2021. After completing her internship with a hospice and palliative care company in Indianapolis, Grace accepted a music therapy role with a hospice company in Evansville, IN. Grace transitioned back to St. Louis (STL) this year for her dream career with MTSTL. Grace has always been heavily involved in music, with her parents claiming that she was singing before she was speaking. Music Therapy allows Grace to combine her love of music and helping people into one incredible role. She enjoys working with all populations but finds hospice and memory care to be extra special. In her free time, Grace enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her husband, reading a good book, and cuddling with her cats and dogs. Grace cannot wait to continue to grow with MTSTL and is so excited to watch her career blossom.
ROSALIE STARKWEATHER, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
geriatric, psychiatric, developmental, and medicine & rehabilitation
"Rosalie was born in Wisconsin, where her love for music was fostered through singing and songwriting, as it gave her a means to process her emotions and life events. This fueled her passion to go on to study music therapy. Rosalie graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her bachelor’s in
music therapy. Rosalie has experience in geriatric, psychiatric, developmental,
and medicine & rehabilitation. Rosalie is a neurologic music therapist, using this specialization to help clients in cognitive, speech, motor goals. Rosalie has a strong passion for work in behavior, trauma, and self-management using music therapy.
In December 2024, Rosalie will have completed her master’s in special education & applied behavior analysis. Rosalie believes music is the strongest motivator and reinforcer for positive change. Rosalie's working experience ranges from ID/DD to early childhood development and trauma all the way to forensic psychiatric."
