Nikki Belshe Lanza, MNLM, MT-BC, is the founder and Clinical Director of Heart and Harmony Music Therapy. She is also founder and current President of the Board for Music Therapy Access Fund, a nonprofit founded in 2019 to increase access to music therapy. 

Nikki has a Masters of Nonprofit Leadership and Management degree from Arizona State University, and Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy with a minor in Vocal Studies from Sam Houston State University. Nikki is a board-certified music therapist (#08938) and was recognized as one of Fort Worth’s Forty Under Forty in 2020. She currently serves on the board of directors for Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Nikki has worked primarily with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2009. She was a participant in The Arc of Texas Partners in Disability Leadership 2021. Nikki is passionate about autonomy and human rights.

Nikki cares deeply about professional sustainability and is invested not only in creating a healthy work environment for her staff members, but in empowering her colleagues to be aware of healthy and sustainable professional practices so that they can thrive. She cares about a whole slew of things including private practice ethics; racial, gender, and disability equity; and reimbursement, funding, and accessibility of music therapy. When she’s not making music, you’ll find Nikki hiking, tending plants, watching birds, reading in the hammock, or – most likely – being chased by her kiddos.

Josephine Briseño-Ruiz, MT-BC, is a first generation Latinx who was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in choral music education at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville, and received her Master’s in Music Therapy at Texas Woman’s University.

Josephine’s clinical experience includes working with children with Autism, adolescents in behavioral health, adults in memory care, and children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Josephine is passionate about autonomy and human rights.

When she is not making music or sharing music with clients, she can be found spending time with her loved ones, traveling, reading, or doing something creative. Josephine is thrilled to join the team at Heart and Harmony and to serve the community of DFW.

Taylor Cockrum, MT-BC graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University with her primary instrument as voice. She completed her internship with Heart and Harmony in Summer 2020. 

Taylor’s clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and adults with a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and people of all ages in a range of mental health settings including trauma, substance abuse, and behavioral disorders. 

Additionally, she became a Sound Birthing Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth Specialist in August 2020, and hopes to pursue further education and training to help support mothers and their babies through music throughout pre- and post-natal stages of pregnancy. 

When she is not singing or playing music, Taylor loves traveling around the world, musical theatre, sunflowers, drinking lots of coffee, and petting lots of dogs! She is passionate about inclusivity, representation, learning new things, and providing access to music (therapy AND education) services. Taylor is beyond excited to be able to serve clients with the Heart and Harmony team!

Madison Michel, MM, MT-BC, Neonatal ICU Music Therapist, graduated from The University of Alabama with her BM in Music Therapy with a principle in voice in 2015, interned with Heart and Harmony Music Therapy. While working as a therapist for Heart and Harmony, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her MM in Music Therapy from Colorado State University (distance) in December 2020. In addition, she has been honored as a DFW Child Magazine Mom-Approved Therapist two years in a row (2019-2020). Madison has been supervising interns since July 2017 and is now the Heart and Harmony Education Director with a vision to create a dynamic, supportive, and challenging environment that pushes each intern and practicum student to develop into a passionate and competent professional.

Madison specializes in a neurodevelopmental sensory-based treatment approach that uses the puzzle pieces of music, research, and therapeutic experience to target the individual needs of each client. She believes in lifelong learning and is currently independently studying the neurodevelopmental impacts of stress.

In addition to her work at Heart and Harmony, Madison has presented at both regional and national music therapy conferences and enjoys presenting in her community. She has worked for Adam’s Camp Colorado and Adam’s Camp Alaska on a multidisciplinary therapy team for both children with ASD and genetic disorders. Madison is proud to be a third generation music therapist and is currently pursuing historical research on her grandfather, Dr. Donald E. Michel, a pioneer in music therapy who began practicing in 1950.

Outside of music therapy, Madison enjoys spending time with her fiance and pets, board game nights, and hiking trips.

Madison was interviewed for Thrive, part of DFW Child Magazine.

Annie Roberson, MT-BC, Neonatal ICU Music Therapist, Sound Birthing Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth Specialist, completed her music therapy coursework at the University of Alabama with a primary instrument of trumpet. Annie completed her internship with Heart and Harmony in the fall of 2018. She is a professional member of Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN).

Annie’s clinical experience includes NICU infants, children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, children and teens with emotional and behavioral disorders, adults in oncology units, and adults with dementia in memory care units. Annie completed her Sound Birthing Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth Specialist in July 2019 and is excited to support parents and babies in the DFW area.

In her free time, Annie enjoys watching the Nashville Predators play hockey, the Alabama Crimson Tide win national championships, crocheting, and being in the great outdoors.

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Annie is thrilled to serve the DFW community with the incredible team of Heart and Harmony therapists!

Margaret Richter, Music Therapy Intern, grew up near Kansas City and has lived in Texas for over 20 years. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Geology and a Minor in Music, and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Music Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. As a bassoonist, she has played with the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra, Richardson Community Band, Manhattan Municipal Band, as well as many collegiate ensembles. Margaret also enjoys singing with her church choir. Her clinical experience includes working with older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, adolescents experiencing incarceration, and children with ASD. She is very excited to gain music therapy experience while serving the DFW community with Heart and Harmony. 

When not making music, Margaret enjoys camping with scouts, board games with friends, video games, comics, and spending time with her husband and sons – although she is often making music while doing those things as well.