224 Westinghouse Boulevard, suite 608
Charlotte, NC 28273
-Halifax Square Business Complex-
Photo of staff - November 2021, Gabby Jones and Matrisha Stafford not included.
Rodneya Hall, MT-BC completed her undergraduate music therapy degree at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania and her music therapy internship at Somerset Academy Early Learning Center in Philadelphia, PA. In her free time, she enjoys roller skating, bouldering, arts and crafts, social (distance) dancing, and most things related to the outdoors. She joins the Piedmont Music Therapy team with enthusiasm for the music and the people she hopes to help. Rodneya’s enjoys working with people from all walks of life, with a special interest in children under the age of 6!
Gabby Jones, MT-BC completed her undergraduate coursework for her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy and Minor in Psychology from Queens University of Charlotte in the spring of 2021. She then completed her internship at Piedmont Music Therapy in December 2021. Gabby's primary instrument is the trombone. She loves working with individuals of all abilities and is passionate about encouraging and promoting self-care and mental well being within the community she serves. Gabby has lived in the Charlotte area for most of her life and is excited to continue to share meaningful musical experiences with the members of the PMT community!
Melissa Reinhardt, MSEd, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist has been a board-certified music therapist since 1994. She completed her undergraduate music therapy degree at Ohio University and her music therapy internship at the Fort Wayne State Developmental Center in Fort Wayne, IN working with adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, she earned a Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Saint Francis in 2002.
After completing her internship, Melissa was hired to work full time in the music therapy department at the Fort Wayne State Developmental Center. She was employed there for 8 years and served in a variety of capacities including Rehabilitation Therapist IV, Music Therapy Internship Supervisor, Music Therapy Clinical Training Director and Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor VI.
In 2001, Melissa accepted the position of Continuing Lecturer in Music Therapy at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in Fort Wayne, IN. She taught all levels of music therapy courses and both on-site and off-site practicum experiences. In addition, she was appointed Acting Director of Music Therapy for a colleague’s sabbatical plus three additional semesters.
Melissa and her family relocated to Fort Mill, SC in 2009. At this time, Melissa decided to focus on her family and was a stay at home mom until 2014 when her youngest entered kindergarten. At that time, she was hired as a part time Adjunct Professor at Queens University of Charlotte (QUC). Melissa taught music therapy courses for 2 semesters and then moved to a Music Therapy Clinical Supervisor position for all levels of practicum. These practicum supervision experiences included off-campus placements at a variety of schools & facilities in the Greater Charlotte Area, ranging from pre-K children to older adults, and working with clients at the QUC Music Therapy Clinic.
In the fall of 2016, Melissa resigned from her position at QUC to spend more time with family and to pursue employment as a contract music therapist. Throughout her professional career, Melissa has dedicated her service to the music therapy profession through serving as President of Indiana Music Therapists, Secretary of Indiana Music Therapists and currently serves the role of Secretary of the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association. Melissa has also conducted music therapy presentations at state and regional music therapy meetings and conferences. Melissa is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
In addition to serving a clinical role at Piedmont Music Therapy with clientele, Mrs. Reinhardt is the Internship Director at PMT.
Miriam Tart, MMT, MT-BC completed her undergraduate degree in Music Performance at Corban University in Salem, OR. Her primary instrument is piano. Prior to receiving an equivalency/Master of Music Therapy Degree at Appalachian State University, Miriam worked in the audio/visual industry as an analyst and project manager for five years.
Miriam completed her music therapy internship training at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC. She views the opportunity to work with her clients as a gift and finds joy in being with clients as they move towards their goals. Her clinical experience includes working with children with communication and developmental delays, older adults in a rehabilitative center, adults in acute psychiatric care, and at-risk youth in the community. Miriam is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
Miriam completed her music therapy internship training at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC. She views the opportunity to work with her clients as a gift and finds joy in being with clients as they move towards their goals. Her clinical experience includes working with children with communication and developmental delays, older adults in a rehabilitative center, adults in acute psychiatric care, and at-risk youth in the community. Miriam is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
Ashley Tisdale, MT-BC is a nationally board certified music therapist who earned her bachelor of art degree in Music Therapy and Minor in Psychology from Queens University of Charlotte. Her primary instrument is percussion.
She completed her music therapy internship training at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, NC. Her greatest experience is working with clients who have intellectual & developmental delays and disabilities. You may see Ashley around town with her involvement volunteering for DrumSTRONG, singing in the choir at Our Lady of The Assumption Church and participating in the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (DCFG). Ashley is also a member of the Music Therapy Association of South Carolina (MTASC) and Music Therapy Association of North Carolina (MTANC).
Notable accomplishments include presenting at the Southeastern Region of American Music Therapy Association Conferences and receiving a scholarship for the DCFG Conference in 2016. She is also a HealthRHYTHMS Facilitator and loves to work with clients and students of various ages to make music together! Ashley is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
She completed her music therapy internship training at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, NC. Her greatest experience is working with clients who have intellectual & developmental delays and disabilities. You may see Ashley around town with her involvement volunteering for DrumSTRONG, singing in the choir at Our Lady of The Assumption Church and participating in the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (DCFG). Ashley is also a member of the Music Therapy Association of South Carolina (MTASC) and Music Therapy Association of North Carolina (MTANC).
Notable accomplishments include presenting at the Southeastern Region of American Music Therapy Association Conferences and receiving a scholarship for the DCFG Conference in 2016. She is also a HealthRHYTHMS Facilitator and loves to work with clients and students of various ages to make music together! Ashley is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
Gretchen Chardos Benner is a nationally board certified music therapist and licensed social worker who earned her bachelor of science and arts degrees with honors in Music Therapy and Viola Performance, in addition to a Psychology minor from Duquesne University. She completed her certification board test after an intensive, ten-month music therapy internship in Cleveland, OH. Training locations included Shaker Heights Middle & High Schools,The Cleveland Music School Settlement, and The Cleveland Clinic: Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Care.
Her master’s degree in social work was earned from the University of Pittsburgh with a direct practice concentration. In 2012, Gretchen became a licensed social worker for the state of Pennsylvania and a year later, she became licensed in South Carolina.
Prior to establishing Piedmont Music Therapy, Gretchen worked for more than four years at a community hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serving adults with mental health and dependency issues. In addition to facilitating group therapy sessions, she developed and coordinated volunteer performers for an ongoing Live Lobby Music Program benefitting patients, visitors, staff and doctors. Gretchen Chardos Benner returned to the Piedmont Region in order to live closer to family.
Research interests include Professional Development within the field of music therapy, and the Sociological Considerations of Individuals Transitioning through Educational and Professional Roles. She continues to perform on the viola in a variety of venues.
She recently worked as adjunct faculty at Queens University of Charlotte as a Music Therapy Practicum Supervisor and served as Past President of The Music Therapy Association of South Carolina. Gretchen is grateful to serve the Carolinas with her talented team of music therapists and support access to creative and expressive arts. Gretchen is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
Her master’s degree in social work was earned from the University of Pittsburgh with a direct practice concentration. In 2012, Gretchen became a licensed social worker for the state of Pennsylvania and a year later, she became licensed in South Carolina.
Prior to establishing Piedmont Music Therapy, Gretchen worked for more than four years at a community hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serving adults with mental health and dependency issues. In addition to facilitating group therapy sessions, she developed and coordinated volunteer performers for an ongoing Live Lobby Music Program benefitting patients, visitors, staff and doctors. Gretchen Chardos Benner returned to the Piedmont Region in order to live closer to family.
Research interests include Professional Development within the field of music therapy, and the Sociological Considerations of Individuals Transitioning through Educational and Professional Roles. She continues to perform on the viola in a variety of venues.
She recently worked as adjunct faculty at Queens University of Charlotte as a Music Therapy Practicum Supervisor and served as Past President of The Music Therapy Association of South Carolina. Gretchen is grateful to serve the Carolinas with her talented team of music therapists and support access to creative and expressive arts. Gretchen is First Aid and CPR Certified by American Red Cross for children and adults.
MEDIA/Press
"Charlotte Music Connection Club is inviting neighbors with disabilities" QC Life - WBTV News, April 2022
"The Beat Goes On" Fort Mill Now, April 2020
"Music Therapy at Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC" CN2 News - Renee O'Neil, January 2020
"Event To Spotlight Music Therapy" QC Life - WBTV News, December 2019
"Music Therapy Relatively New to North Carolinas Lacks Licensing Laws" Daily Tar Heel - Karen Stahl, November 2018
Alumni News: "Gretchen Benner - Duquesne University" - May 2018
"Siskey YMCA Camp Reaches New Heights" WCCB Charlotte - Will Kennedy, July 2017
"Healing Powers: Music Therapy Alumnae Use Degrees To Make A Difference" Duquesne University Tempo Magazine 2012-2013
"Live Lobby Music: Alumna creates hospital performance program at hospital" Duquesne University Tempo Magazine - 2011
"Moody Music: How Music Affects Moods" Interview by University Prep Students, Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show - June 2011
"Soothing Sounds: Hospitals' Hallways Filled with Live Music" by Deborah Deasy, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Newspaper, March 2011
"Ocean Adventures: Exploring Music and Creative Play" in the imagine 2012 Magazine, p. 64.
"The Beat Goes On" Fort Mill Now, April 2020
"Music Therapy at Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC" CN2 News - Renee O'Neil, January 2020
"Event To Spotlight Music Therapy" QC Life - WBTV News, December 2019
"Music Therapy Relatively New to North Carolinas Lacks Licensing Laws" Daily Tar Heel - Karen Stahl, November 2018
Alumni News: "Gretchen Benner - Duquesne University" - May 2018
"Siskey YMCA Camp Reaches New Heights" WCCB Charlotte - Will Kennedy, July 2017
"Healing Powers: Music Therapy Alumnae Use Degrees To Make A Difference" Duquesne University Tempo Magazine 2012-2013
"Live Lobby Music: Alumna creates hospital performance program at hospital" Duquesne University Tempo Magazine - 2011
"Moody Music: How Music Affects Moods" Interview by University Prep Students, Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show - June 2011
"Soothing Sounds: Hospitals' Hallways Filled with Live Music" by Deborah Deasy, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Newspaper, March 2011
"Ocean Adventures: Exploring Music and Creative Play" in the imagine 2012 Magazine, p. 64.
