Our Advisory Board

Distinguished researchers and practitioners who help guide our mission and keep our work grounded in evidence.

Guided by expertise & experience

The Melody Project's advisory board brings together scholars and practitioners whose work spans intergenerational connection and aging policy. Their guidance shapes how we grow, measure impact, and stay grounded in evidence.

JL
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Dr. Jordan "Angun" Lewis

Director, Center on Aging · Professor, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

Jordan Lewis, PhD, MSW, CPG is Aleut and Sugpiaq and has worked with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities to identify characteristics that enable Alaska Native Elders to age successfully — or age in a good way. Using the lessons and experiences of AIAN Elders, Dr. Lewis' research develops generative-based approaches to improve the health of all generations.

Indigenous Elder Health & Intergenerational Research
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LT
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Dr. Lena Thompson

Postdoctoral Associate · Center for One Health Research

Culturally-Adapted Interventions & Alaska Native Health
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Why it works

Our practice is grounded in evidence

01

Research-Grounded Sessions

Every program element draws on peer-reviewed findings in music therapy, intergenerational connection, and aging science — not just intuition.

02

Guided by Seasoned Practitioners

Our advisory board includes leading researchers and field experts who bring decades of real-world experience working directly with elder communities.

03

Impact We Can Measure

Chapters track and document outcomes across sessions, building a growing body of evidence that this model works — and can scale.