Organist/Pianist
melba@mcctopeka.org
Melba became employed at MCC of Topeka in 2005 as organist and pianist. Prior to working at MCC of Topeka Melba held positions at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, Oakland Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Westside Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, and Morris Hill Chapel in Fort Riley.
Melba has performed solo piano fundraisers for Susan G. Komen the Cure, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, and MCC of Topeka. In addition to fundraising Melba has performed at various venues including Signs of Life, State of Kansas Recovery Conference, and MCC of Omaha. Melba has released two CD’s, “Awakening of the Soul” and “Seasons of Comfort and Joy” since 2004 as a way to honor the spiritual gifts from the Creator.
“Underneath all the texts, all the sacred psalms and canticles, these watery varieties of sounds and silences, terrifying, mysterious, whirling and sometimes gestating and gentle must somehow be felt in the pulse, ebb, and flow of the music that sings in me. My new song must float like a feather on the breath of God.” Hildegard von Bingen
EDUCATION
University of Kansas, School of Social Work, Masters in Social Work, August 1992 to May 1996
Kansas State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelors in Social Sciences, August 1974 to January 1976
Wichita State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Piano Performance, August 1971 to May 1974
LICENSURE
LSCSW 3621, Granted April 4, 2006
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Licensed Clinical Social Worker 10/05 to present
State of Kansas, Department of Health and Environment
Topeka,Kansas
Program Consultant 10/01 to 09/05
State of Kansas, Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Topeka,Kansas
Co-Founder/Clinical Social Worker 03/97 to 08/01
Sojourn, a Project of the Tides Center
Topeka,Kansas
Social Worker 03/99 to 04/00
Social Work PRN
Kansas City,Kansas
Clinical Coordinator 05/96 to 11/98
Topeka AIDS Project
Topeka,Kansas
Clinical Coordinator 05/94 to 05/95
Friendship House
Kansas City,Missouri
Presentations
3rd Annual Recovery Conference,Wichita,Kansas, June 12-14, 2002 Workshop presentation: “HIV Prevention: Sex, Drugs, Rock’n Roll”
Addiction andRecoveryCenter,Great Bend,Kansas, June 22, 2005
Infectious Disease Workshop: “Infectious Disease: The Connection”
Addiction and Recovery Center, Pittsburgh, Kansas, November 16, 2005
Infectious Disease Workshop: “Infectious Disease: The Connection”
Professional Accomplishments
Served on HIV Prevention Community Planning Group, representing Addiction and Prevention Services for Social and Rehabilitation Services, 2002-2005
Served on Governor’s Mental Health Services Planning Council, SRS Health Care Policy, 2004 and 2005
Served by appointment of the Governor’s office to develop State policy: “When Terror Strikes Addressing the Nation’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs,” New York,NY. November 14-16, 2001
Served by appointment of the Governor’s office to develop State policy: “Third National SAMHSA Policy Academy on Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders,” Philadelphia,PA; September 13-15, 2005