Music Has Always Been the Thread.

Kelly Willenborg, BS, MA, is a Brain Health Gerontologist, Music Interventionist and founder of MyMemoryWorx. For more than 16 years, she has created practical ways to use familiar music and rhythm to support connection, engagement and quality of life for people living with dementia, Parkinson's and other age-related challenges.

Her music-intervention work began in 2010 with The Healing Jukebox. The initiative combined personalized music delivered through portable CD players and iPods with six years of weekly, structured rhythmic engagement and drum-circle facilitation in senior-living communities throughout Central Illinois.

Kelly later helped promote the groundbreaking documentary Alive Inside, spoke at healthcare conferences. She even sold her VW bus to fund scholarships that helped senior-living communities across Illinois, Missouri and Indiana launch personalized iPod music programs.

That early work ultimately evolved into Healing Headsets—simple, all-in-one players preloaded with music selected around each person's life and preferences. More than 2,500 headsets have now been gifted to families across 48 states, making personally meaningful music accessible without apps, Wi-Fi or complicated technology.

Kelly remains both a hands-on facilitator and a builder. Working directly with older adults, families and care professionals helps her recognize what is missing—and turn those needs into practical, accessible tools. From personalized headsets to interactive music experiences and facilitator-ready programs, her work is built, tested and refined with real people in mind.

Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and her master’s degree in Aging Studies/Gerontology from Eastern Illinois University.