About Badgerland Music Therapy services

Music Therapy works to improve or maintain health, wellbeing and functioning skills for individuals within their community. At Badgerland Music Therapy, services are provided in the client’s home or as a community-based services. Services are for one-on-one individuals or small groups. Badgerland Music Therapy is an approved Wisconsin Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) Waiver provider via the Department of Health Services in Dane County and soon to be Iowa County.

Badgerland Music Therapy services are guided by a humanities framework that is person-centered and relationship-based. An emphasis is placed on being a resource-oriented practice. Badgerland strives to provide both evidence-based and neuroscience informed music therapy services.

Background: sunset over Blue Mounds hill. March 2024, Melissa Cole

Melissa Cole, MMT, MT-BC, WMTR

Badgerland Music Therapy, LLC is a private practice owned and directed by Melissa Cole. She has been practicing professionally in Wisconsin as a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) and has been on the Wisconsin Music Therapy Registry (WMTR) for nearly twenty years. She additionally completed the Master of Music Therapy (MMT) degree from Alverno College in 2023.

White flowering bushes at Oakwood Village University Woods, Madison. 2018, Melissa Cole.

Endorsements for the owner & director of Badgerland Music Therapy

  • David P. Perrodin, PhD CCC-SLP

    I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Cole at the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where I witnessed her extraordinary talent as a Neurologic Music Therapist. Melissa skillfully engaged students with musical instruments, rhythms, and songs, fostering meaningful connections, developing motor skills, enhancing attention, and improving communication, all while providing novel avenues for expression. Her dedication culminated in an outstanding recital that was cherished by students, staff, and parents alike. Melissa is a genuine, hardworking individual who takes the time to learn about her clients and tailors her services to match their unique needs. It is essential to recognize the incredible asset that music therapy offers, and Melissa is a shining example of its profound impact.

  • Julia Amstutz, Educational Assistant at the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    “Music therapy is where students shine. Melissa’s hard work and creativity expresses how much she cares about the students.”

  • A compilation of endorsements from the Life Enrichment Department (former co-workers) at Oakwood Village Retirement Community - University Woods

    “Melissa has a passion for connecting with residents though music. She has a kind, caring, appreciative and genuine nature. She is creative, driven, and great at developing new programs. She has enthusiasm, always look happy and is helpful to everyone.”

  • Annonymous Co-worker from the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    “Ms. Melissa is an advocate for student needs. Her patience, grace, flexibility and care are a perfect Badger fit. We are grateful for her work.“

Water Lily/Dahlia, Rotary Gardens near WSBVI. Melissa Cole, Aug. 2022

Recent Awards

  • 2023 awarded the Master of Music Therapy degree from Alverno College

  • 2021 Alverno College Graduate Council awarded Melissa a Graduate Fellowship Pilot Grant

  • 2021 PRIDE award (P—Prepared, R—Respectful, I—Independent, D—Dedicated, E—Excellence) at the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WSBVI)

  • 2020 Music Therapist of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Chapter for Music Therapy

  • 2019 Certificate of Achievement in “Conceptualization” from the Alverno College Graduate in Music Therapy

  • Click on the three digital badges below to learn more