tammon@beckcenter.org

Tracy holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Baldwin-Wallace University and has been with Beck Center in various roles and capacities since 2008. In addition to overseeing Creative Arts Therapies, she teaches several

classes and provides services to individuals at Beck Center, as well as representing the department in the community providing music therapy, adapted music, and early childhood programming. Her philosophy is grounded

not only in behaviorally based theory but also the premise that the arts belong to us all. She has always loved the emphasis Beck Center has on bringing the arts to the community and immersing itself in the people it represents.

Jocelynn Mejstrik - Adaptive Art Specialist

Jocelynn lives in Fairview Park, Ohio with her husband, two German Shepherds, and two cats. She is currently working on a master's in counseling and art therapy at Ursuline College. Jocelynn loves working with children and providing a creative and safe place for self-expression.

Sarah Heffner– Adapted Dance

Sarah is a native Clevelander who holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Dance from Baldwin Wallace University and is currently working towards her Master’s as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy at Lesley University. Sarah has been trained in multiple dance forms for the past seventeen years and loves to share her passion with others. Sarah also choreographs at local community theaters and well as St. Edward High School, while still finding time to perform for herself

Sarah Link – Music Specialist

Sarah has a BM in Music Therapy from the University of Dayton. Practiced music therapy at Riverside Academy of Music for four years and The Far Conservatory in Birmingham, MI for three years. Early childhood music instructor at the Beck Center since 2005. Enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband.

Michael Simile, LPMT, MT-BC, earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in May of 2016. Following graduation, Michael completed a 6-month music therapy internship at Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, Ohio, where he served primarily in the skilled nursing and hospice unit. He has been on faculty at Beck Center for the Arts since January 2018, and teaches guitar there in addition to his duties as a music therapist. Michael is also employed by the Dover Congregational United Church of Christ Chancel Choir in Westlake. He maintains an active performance schedule with regional pit orchestras and with his two bands, The Branches and Flight 619.

Randee Stroud – Adapted Theater Specialist

Randee Jo Stroud is a multi-interdisciplinary artist who holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a focus on the intersection of education, creative arts, and their ability to create social change. Randee has created, performed, taught, consulted, and ran programming and ventures in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. She is an alumni of the Second City Training Center (SCTC) where she studied improvisational theater, storytelling, and sketch writing. Upon graduation from SCTC, Randee studied Viola Spolin’s (creator of theater games) teaching method with her granddaughter, Aretha Sills (daughter of SCTC co-founder, Paul Sills) and completed an intensive Spolin teaching practicum under Aretha’s mentorship. Randee has been a community educator and teaching artist for almost 20 years, serving folks across lifespans, with and without special needs. From her service as a Literacy Tutor with AmeriCorps in Ohio, to her experience as an Art Director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Georgia, and everything in between, Randee has an informed understanding of the needs of diverse communities and stakeholders. She feels honored to meet her students and clients where they are and get the opportunity to create together whether 1-1, or in a group.  Randee loves to empower people by helping them find new ways to express themselves through creativity in order to discover their potential, foster pride in who they are, and uncover their talents, strengths, and abilities. Randee loves spending time with her family, and believes in being a good steward, playing hard, creating, learning, and exploring—preferably outdoors; laughing.

Gavin Dorsey MT-BC, LPMT

Gavin holds a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University. Following graduation, he completed his music therapy internship at Mobile Music Therapy Services of Orange County in Garden Grove, California. He has a range of experience working with individuals and groups in early childhood, clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and older adults in senior living facilities. His instruments include guitar, piano, and voice. He is also a classically trained clarinetist and was in the Ohio University Wind Symphony and the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Gavin joined the Creative Art Therapies staff at the Beck Center for the Arts in September 2023. He is excited to be working at the Beck Center of the Arts and share his love of music in the community.

Carly earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University after completing her music therapy internship with the Fulton County School District in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Therapy degree from Ohio University. Her graduate research on the benefits of inclusive music therapy settings in developing early childhood social skills. Carly has experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs. Her music therapy practice centers around the belief that every individual deserves access to music and that every individual deserves the autonomy to guide their own musical experience. Carly also has experience as a piano instructor and continues to fulfill that role at the Beck Center.

Lauren is a Cleveland based artist, teacher, and community inclusion facilitator/enthusiast. She has worked as an instructor and non-profit administrator for the last 7 years coordinating community programs for individuals with diverse abilities including those with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) & Mobility Limitations (ML).

Lauren studied studio art, fashion, and art history at The Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) in New York City and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2010. While in art school she worked at Camp Happiness, supporting children with IDD, and discovered her passion for working with individuals with diverse abilities!

Lauren went on to become an intervention specialist, working primarily with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) then moved into the arts non-profit world as a teaching artist and program director for adults with IDD at Able Arts Work in Long Beach, California.

At Able Arts Work, a therapeutic arts program, she continued her path supporting artists with disabilities in pursuing/developing their talents. During this time she completed her Master degree in Education (M.Ed.) and began to collaborate with community organizations to create inclusive workshops and events for artists.

As a visual artist and musician, Lauren has personally experienced the incredible community benefits, for ALL involved, when intentional inclusive spaces are created and sustained.

Lauren returned to Cleveland, her hometown, about 5 years ago and is excited to continue to teach and promote community engagement and inclusion through the arts!