Music Program Staff
Sandy Koteskey, MT-BC
Director of Music Therapy Program
Sandy Koteskey, MT-BC, graduated from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree in 2005. She has been with the Franciscan Life Process Center since completing her internship, working with individuals and groups of children with autism and multiple impairments. She also teaches trumpet and guitar. In 2018, she was appointed the Associate Director of the Music Therapy Program. She expanded her teaching experiences in 2019 when she taught an Introduction to Music Therapy course at Grand Rapids Community College. Sandy has given presentations on music therapy throughout Michigan and works with many businesses and care providers to develop music therapy programs for their clientele. Any inquiries about enrollment in services or general questions, please email skoteskey@lifeprocesscenter.org
Sister Margaret Dahl, FSE M.A.
Sister Margaret Dahl is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, whose motherhouse is in Meriden, CT. Sister has taught piano in Idaho and Washington for 15 years and at The John Duss Memorial Music Conservatory for 15 years. She is a proficient accompanist.
Sister has a Bachelor of Music Education from Idaho State University and a Masters of Art in Musicology from City University in New York. She also has an accounting equivalency degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. mdahl@lifeprocesscenter.org
April Fausch Cullum, MA, MT-BC
April Fausch Cullum completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002 and a MA/Equivalency in Music Therapy from the University of Iowa in 2005. April’s work has included owning a private practice in Laramie, Wyoming which included a contract with Laramie County School District #1; employment at the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut; Creative Development Programs for children birth through age 3; the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center Extended Care; and Adam’s Camp, a therapy camp for children with special needs in Colorado. She has experience teaching adapted music lessons and saxophone. April has presented locally and nationally on music therapy and therapeutic uses of music with special populations. afcullum@lifeprocesscenter.org
Amanda Partlo, MT-BC
Amanda Partlo graduated in 2005 from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. She worked with Sonata, Inc. and Capital Hospice as a contractual music therapist in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. She continued on to conduct music therapy sessions in a maximum security forensic facility in Florida before beginning an eight year journey providing music therapy and therapeutic activities in nursing facilities. Amanda has a passion for seniors and has a big heart for hospice work as well as Alzheimer’s and dementia care and is currently working to complete her Hospice and Palliative Care MT Certification. She started work at the Center in February 2016. Amanda also teaches piano and violin. apartlo@lifeprocesscenter.org
Eric Busch, MT-BC
Eric Busch received his Bachelor of Music Therapy from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, in 2015. He has provided services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, adults deemed incompetent to stand trial for criminal sexual conduct charges, and geriatrics in hospice and palliative care, as well as memory care for adults with dementia. Eric is interested in the use of music technology in augmenting the scope of practice in music therapy. He also teaches percussion at FLPC. ebusch@lifeprocesscenter.com
Rachel Neve, Music Therapy
Rachel Neve completed her pre-internship coursework for Music Therapy at Eastern Michigan University and will graduate in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and abilities at the Center, fostering growth, encouragement, and the love of music in those she serves.
Marissa Peak
Marissa Peak completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Aquinas College. She received her Bachelor Equivalency degree in Music Therapy and is currently working on her Masters of Music in Music Therapy at Western Michigan University. Marissa completed her music therapy internship at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital where she provided music therapy services in many areas of the hospital, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and Hematology/Oncology Unit. While employed at Michigan State University’s Community Music School, Marissa gained experience working with both children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She also provided music therapy services to at-risk children and teens at St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities, as well as adults with traumatic brain injuries at Hope Network in Lansing.
In addition to providing music therapy services, Marissa performed bassoon in many West Michigan ensembles throughout the years, including the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. She also performs back-up vocals in a local Grand Rapids soul-pop band called August.
