Our Team

Lucas B. Schirmer, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

Founder and Partner of Accent Wellness

Lucas B. Schirmer, LMT ("Luke") is a licensed massage therapist who completed his massage degree at Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in Rochester, NY. Specializing in Swedish Massage, he is an insured member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP).

Luke has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from La Salle University which he completed before finding his true passion of becoming a licensed massage therapist. He works in the human services field and has done so for over a decade supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Luke is drawn to the field of massage by a desire to help people heal. He was initiated as a Kriya Yogi at the Assisi Institute in 2010 where he learned the Kriya meditation technique. The Kriya lifestyle helps to create a balance and peace in his life that extends into his life as a massage therapist.

The quality of Luke's massage comes from a combination of his education in the mechanics of the human body, his training and experience in tried and true massage techniques, his personal Qi Gong practice, and his strong instinct for what a body needs in order to feel relaxed, balanced and whole.

Accomplishments:

  • Licensed Massage Therapist

  • Specialization in Swedish Massage

  • Member of ABMP

  • Experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Interests:

Luke enjoys practicing Qi Gong. He has recently been inspired by David Goggins, author of Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

Melinda C. Schirmer, MA, LCAT, MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Founder and Partner of Accent Wellness

Melinda is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in the state of NY, and a founder of Accent Wellness.

Melinda received a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from St. Mary-of-the Woods College in Indiana and a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester.

Areas of Focus:

Her approach as a person-centered music therapist enables her to tailor the therapy experience to meet the unique needs of individuals across the lifespan.

Melinda has worked extensively with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as people with Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. She also provides music therapy services for infants and toddlers in the Day Care setting.

In 2009 Melinda developed Connecting Voices, a voice treatment program designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease.

Accomplishments:

  • Board-Certified Music Therapist

  • Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

  • Member American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)

  • Presenter at Regional Level on the Professional Identity of
    Music Therapists

  • Presenter on the voice treatment program she developed for people with Parkinson's disease

  • Co-host for the Mid-Atlantic Region Music Therapy
    Conference held in Rochester (2017)

  • Internship Director for the Music Therapy Program at the Pieters Family Life Center (2018-2019)

Research Interests:

Her research interests include professional identity and effective programming for people with Parkinson's disease.

Interests:

Melinda received formal training in voice, flute, and violin. She enjoys using her music skills teaching private lessons and in being a member of her church choir. Melinda is a new mom to two boys and loves spending time with her young family.

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