REBECCA J. FROMAN FREIMAN, MA, MT-BC
DIRECTOR AND TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Originally from the Chicago area, Rebecca has been a clinician since 2005. Rebecca's undergraduate studies in music performance as an oboe major and in psychology were completed at the University of Michigan and she earned her Master's degree at University of Iowa in music therapy. As a music therapist, Rebecca has worked as a leader in the culture-change movement and staff member in residential long term and sub-acute care , established and implemented a music therapy program for a hospice care agency, and has facilitated music therapy individual and group sessions for a variety of clientele in many different settings as a private practitioner. She has made many contributions to the fields of health, eldercare, and the creative arts therapies including:
- Presenting at national and regional conferences as well as for local organizations about music therapy with older adults, dementia, neurological challenges, collaboration across disciplines, as well as multicultural awareness and competency in practice.
- Providing training for the Alzheimer’s Association National Headquarters, the Illinois Alzheimer’s Association, the Illinois Activity Professional Association, the American Society on Aging, and guest lecturing at colleges and universities.
- Supervising and mentoring several students in the fields of music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and art therapy.
- Publishing research in the hospital setting and about multicultural music therapy practice.
In recent years, Rebecca became an ambassador volunteer for Be The Match, the national bone marrow registry, and has worked with this organization as well as Gift of Life to help build this important resource. Rebecca is a board member of Northwest Compass in Mount Prospect, IL, and she and her husband volunteer with the Bridge Family and Youth Services in Palatine, IL where she is a youth mentor. Rebecca is a carepartner within her own family and enjoys playing with her cat, Santo.
MIA ILIOPOULOS, MM, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
MIA ILIOPOULOS, MM, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Mia is a board-certified music therapist in the Chicagoland area. She recently graduated from Colorado State University with her Master of Music in music therapy and completed her Bachelor of Music in music therapy from Western Illinois University. Additionally, she is certified in Neurologic Music Therapy. In 2017, Mia completed her music therapy internship with Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN. She created what is now a funded music therapy program using harmonicas with patients with COPD, other chronic lung diseases, and Parkinson's disease. In addition to pulmonary rehab, she also worked in hospice and palliative care, Frauenshuh Cancer Center, medical and surgical inpatient units at Methodist Hospital, and Struthers Parkinson's Center. Later in 2017, Mia began working at Vitas Healthcare, a nationwide hospice and palliative care company. Mia became a member of the Greater Chicago Music Therapy team in 2018. Previously, Mia has been a staff member at a memory care facility and helped create a music therapy program for a local hospice. In 2019, Mia was elected to serve as Vice President of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy and started a university affiliated internship site at Vitas Healthcare. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln Way Area Chorale, a community choir organization. Mia has presented at conferences of the Great Lakes and Midwestern Regions of the American Music Therapy Association and various midwestern universities on topics including harmonica protocols, Parkinson's disease, hospice music therapy, and becoming a new professional.
VALERIE WILK, MA, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
VALERIE WILK, MA, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Valerie is originally from Racine, WI and joined the Greater Chicago Music Therapy team in March 2020. Valerie received her Bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from St. Olaf College, where she toured with and served as President of the St. Olaf Orchestra. She received her Master’s in music therapy from the University of Iowa, and presented her Master’s Capstone project, “Music and Identity Development in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities,” at the national American Music Therapy Association Passages conference in November 2019. Valerie has worked with individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness in various roles including as a supported community living associate. She completed an American Music Therapy Association internship at University Hospitals Connor Integrative Health Network in Cleveland, OH, where she worked with adults in an acute medical setting as well as in long-term cancer care, gaining additional experience in music technology. Valerie’s primary instrument is the violin, and she loves finding creative ways to incorporate it into music therapy sessions. Outside of music therapy, she enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, drinking coffee, and watching New Girl on Netflix!
Our Director was a featured Illinois Association for Music Therapy Member!
Click here to read her interview.
Our Director was a featured Illinois Association for Music Therapy Member!
Click here to read her interview.
Greater Chicago Music Therapy Inc. was featured in Voyage Chicago: Chicago City Guide!
Click here to read the article.
