"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand."
Stevie Wonder
Emily Fjelstrom, MT-BC, NMT, (she/her/hers) is a music therapist from Kingsburg, CA. She is a first-generation college graduate of the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA, where she received her bachelor's degree in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology, and is currently completing her Master of Arts in Music Therapy. Emily completed her Music Therapy internship here with McConnell Music Therapy Services, focusing on medical pediatric units and the neonatal intensive care unit at Sutter Health in Sacramento. She currently serves as our Director of Clinical Services and provides care to clients in various home and clinical settings, specializing in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) services, neurodivergent populations, and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Emily grew up in a home where music was constantly played and enjoyed. From jamming with her dad's rock band instruments as a young child, to blasting reggae in the care with her mom, to excelling in her middle and high school music programs, Emily always knew she would make a career out of music but wasn't sure how. When she stumbled upon a Ted Talk about the benefits of Music Therapy mere months from college applications being due, Emily was hooked. Having also been interested in mental health and human behavior, she was thrilled to learn how fluidly Psychology and Neurology can intertwine with Music Therapy studies.
Emily now lives in Sacramento, CA with her husband. She enjoys cooking and creating new recipes, doting on her dogs and cats, starting new DIY house projects, and spending quality time at home in her PJ's. Both in her work and in her personal time, Emily holds a fierce passion for advocacy; she is deeply dedicated to supporting underprivileged and resilient communities, including queer, BIPOC, and disability populations, as well as animal welfare.