Lunch and Learn
With Dr. Melody Schwantes, Associate Professor of Music Therapy, Hayes School of Music
Register here by November 1, 2025 to be included in lunch order
Regenerative leadership (Hutchins & Storm, 2019) draws upon ecological, systemic thinking and is grounded in principles of interdependence, balance, and holistic well-being. Regenerative approaches to business, healthcare, and education focus on the current challenges we are facing today, while remaining hopeful for the future ahead. Regenerative leadership recognizes the need for deep engagement in the inner and outer worlds, acknowledging the direct correlation between inner crises and the broader environmental challenges we face.
This presentation will cover key aspects of regenerative leadership including: life-affirming practices, dynamics of regenerative leadership, the value of emergent thinking, and applying regenerative practices to home and work environments. Participants will leave with a basic understanding of regenerative approaches and resources for working with life affirming practices.
SPEAKER BIO
Dr. Melody Schwantes is an associate professor of music therapy and program director of the graduate music therapy program in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. She provides clinical supervision for music therapy students and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including: Music Therapy Clinical Skills, Clinical Research Project, Models of Music Therapy in Mental Health, Functional Techniques, Research Methods in Music Therapy, Ethics and Anti-Oppressive Practices, and Introduction to Music Therapy. A board certified music therapist, she also maintains a private practice, Joie de Vivre Music Therapy.
Dr. Schwantes’s clinical experience includes work with older adults, adults with mental illness, children with disabilities, and adults with medical needs in a variety of settings in the US, as well as in the Czech Republic. Her research centers social justice and participatory action approaches, and she has presented at conferences nationally and internationally. Melody values critical pedagogy in her classroom and works toward being an inclusive educator and practitioner.
Dr. Schwantes holds a PhD from Aalborg University (Aalborg, Denmark, 2011), an MMT (2007), a BM in Music Therapy (2000), and a BA in Psychology from Appalachian State University (2000).