My Journey

Jessica blends Appalachian culture, trauma, and the healing elements of Hip Hop in her innovative music therapy approach. Her work is known for its effectiveness and compassion in challenging settings.

Jessica is extremely passionate about the ability to bring about positive change through the use of Hip Hop music and digital instruments in music therapy.

Jessica has successfully supported women in addiction and children who have undergone traumas, helping them heal and find strength through music and creation.

Jessica Fletcher attended Baldwin Wallace University attaining a bachelor of music degree in music therapy with a minor in psychology. She studied oboe with Jeffrey Rathbun of The Cleveland Orchestra. Fletcher completed her music therapy internship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, with Robert Miller, Deborah Benkovitz-Williams, and Nicole Steele. During her time at Baldwin Wallace and UPMC, Jessica’s initial interest in Hip Hop in music therapy grew, inspired by clients who advocated for their preferred music in group sessions in urban mental health and corrections settings.

Next, Jessica chose to begin her masters degree at Ohio University, advised by Dr. Kamile Geist & Dr. Laura Brown. Specializing in music therapy and child and family studies, with Dr. Greg Janson, Fletcher took classes in helping skills, trauma informed care, parenting, and advanced music therapy clinical supervision. She also began working at Central Ohio Music Therapy with Executive Director, Erin K. Spring. Here, Jessica began her professional clinical journey in hospice and medical care. Eventually, she was able to work contracts specializing in mental health, finding her passion in corrections with youth/adolescents and women in addiction/recovery. Jessica is passionate about trauma informed care, the transformative power of Hip Hop, and practicing from a person centered approach. She eventually became assistant director for the company, providing supervision for young professionals and managing multiple contracts in the Southeastern Ohio area. Jessica also began teaching adjunct classes for Ohio University in the medical music therapy class.

After working for Central Ohio Music Therapy for over ten year, Jessica made the jump to full time professor at Ohio University, alongside Director of Music Therapy Andrew Holbrook and Arts in Health Director, Dr. Sharon Boyle. Fletcher teaches junior level practicum courses, the children/adolescent and music therapy course, clinical skills II, and program development and administration in music therapy at Ohio University. She is passionate about trauma informed education and universal design of learning. Most recently, Jessica was the music teacher for the non-profit, arts based summer camp Circle Round the Square.

When not teaching, Jessica loves to spend time in her garden with her spouse, Cory, and with her two dogs, Riley & Fergal. She is also curriculum director of the Ohio Valley School of Celtic Dance and culture, writing grants for the local non-profit focused on improving self esteem and accessible classes for Appalachian youth.