Hi! I’m Melissa Tschinkel, and I am most passionate about music for seniors. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, I unexpectedly became a long-time caregiver to my Grandma Betty with Alzheimer‘s Disease. This journey gifted me a love of working with seniors and persons with Dementia, and shifted my path from music education to music and memory care.
I am a Certified Dementia Professional with ten years of experience. I am experienced in both assisted livings and skilled nursing facilities. I launched my Inspire program in August 2023 and my Soothe program in February 2025, which are goal-oriented interactive music and sensory classes for persons with Dementia. I am trained in a number of modalities for working with individuals with Dementia and I am an experienced Support Group Facilitator for caregivers. I work full-time as a Recreation Director at a local assisted living. I am a classically trained pianist, vocalist, and ukulele player, and have been teaching piano for 20 years.