Co-Owner/COO

Shelley Tsao earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, obtaining Board-Certified Music Therapist status in 2007. During her internship, Shelley worked with seniors at a skilled nursing facility and with children and adolescents facing complex medical, mental health, and educational challenges in a school setting.
 
Upon relocating to Northern California in 2008, Shelley served as a Music Therapist/Director of Resident Services at a non-for-profit Retirement Community. Committed to supporting residents in their successful aging journey, she led culture change initiatives and community-building efforts. She continued to pursue educational and leadership programs, including Validation worker certification, RCFE Administrator license, and Leadership ABHOW.
 
Since becoming a mother in 2014, Shelley has embraced the role of a dedicated stay-at-home mom while concurrently serving as the COO at Bay Area Music Therapy LLC. In this capacity, she finds joy in facilitating new client services, program development, and providing support to students, volunteers, interns, and the entire team of music therapists.
 
Shelley extended her passion for music therapy by delving into Pediatric hospice work, where she provided music therapy services to medically fragile and terminally ill children. This experience has fueled her commitment to supporting individuals facing challenging circumstances.
 
After relocating to Idaho with her family in 2020, Shelley and her husband - Ian focused on establishing the Center for Healing and Expression, bringing music therapy and breathwork to support people’s pursuit in their healing and wellness journey. Shelley, driven by a commitment to personal and professional growth, also obtained her Death Doula certificate.
 
Shelley and Ian enjoy homesteading with their 9 year old son, 4 year old daughter, 2 dogs, 2 fish and 7 chickens. In their spare time, they travel, camp, and actively contribute to fostering a strong community. 
 
With a passion for excellence and advocacy in human services, Shelley continues to provide holistic support for others during life transitions. Grounded in a compassionate approach, Shelley utilizes sustainable systems to address practical needs while providing emotional support to those navigating profound changes.