School of Music

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Mia Iliopoulos Krings
Music Therapy, Instructor
Browne 124
Email: ME-Iliopoulos@wiu.edu

Originally from the Chicago area, Mia Iliopoulos Krings, MM, LPMT, MT-BC is an alum of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music in music therapy and has a Master’s of Music in music therapy from Colorado State University with an emphasis on neuroscience-informed music therapy. Mia completed her music therapy internship with Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN. There, she created a pilot music therapy program using harmonicas with patients with COPD, other chronic lung diseases, and Parkinson's disease. The success of this program led to it becoming a permanent, funded program of the hospital. In addition to pulmonary rehab, she also worked in hospice and palliative care, The Frauenshuh Cancer Center, medical and surgical inpatient units at The Methodist Hospital, and Struthers Parkinson's Center.

Mia began her career as a staff member in a memory care community and helped a local hospice establish a music therapy program. Later in 2017, Mia began working at a nationwide hospice and palliative care company, in the Southwest Chicago suburbs. There, she built a very strong music therapy program and was awarded their national B.E.S.T. award in 2019 and 2020 for Building Excellence, Satisfaction, and Teamwork. In 2018, Mia joined the Greater Chicago Music Therapy (GCMT) team and transitioned to a full-time team therapist and clinical supervisor in 2021. There, she facilitates individual and group sessions, supervises team members, interns and practicum students, develops new programs, manages intake, and often advocates and presents about music therapy in the community. Working with GCMT allows her to advocate for music therapy on a larger scale and provide services to clientele she is deeply passionate about serving. Her clinical work focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease, in addition to end of life care and other neurologic, vocal, and respiratory functionality.

Currently, Mia serves as Past President of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy and is a GLR Representative on the Assembly of Delegates of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), which serves as the voting body of the Association. Additionally, she serves as the Council Coordinator for Professional Practices on the AMTA Board of Directors. Mia is also collaborating with the Music and Dementia Research Network to study the brain mechanisms activated in music therapy with mobile brain technology. She has previously served as Speaker of the Assembly, on the Great Lakes Region of AMTA Executive Committee, on regional conference planning committees, and is a frequent presenter at conferences and at surrounding Midwest universities on topics including music therapy with older adults, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice care, harmonica protocols, leadership, and becoming a new professional. In March 2023, Mia was awarded the inaugural Nancy Swanson Service Award from the Illinois Association for Music Therapy for her dedicated service to the profession.