Building Stronger Brains Through Music
Mind Meets Music uses rhythm, movement, and song to strengthen the cognitive pathways young learners need for literacy and math success.
Meet Dr. Monique Salinas
Founder & CEO
Dr. Monique Salinas is passionate about kids, music, and fairness. The daughter of a Mexican farmworker, she earned her degrees from Aquinas College, Central Michigan University, and Michigan State University, where she completed her doctorate in music education and conducting.
An educator with over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Dr. Salinas founded Girls Choral Academy, building self-esteem and confidence in young girls in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Her choirs toured throughout the United States and Europe. She later founded Mind Meets Music to bring cognitive development through music to PreK-2nd graders in underserved communities. She is the recipient of numerous awards and remains deeply committed to using music as a tool for educational.
About the Program
Mind Meets Music was founded in the early 2000s in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a neuroscience-backed approach: rhythm, movement, and music build the cognitive pathways essential for literacy and math.
In 2013, the program received a four-year, $2 million federal grant, reaching more than 15,000 underserved students across West Michigan with measurable gains in reading and math proficiency.
After the grant period ended, the program paused. In 2024, Dr. Salinas relaunched it as a fully digital platform, transforming 300 lesson plans into engaging videos accessible to any classroom. A 2025 beta test with 104 students showed 99% engagement and 100% teacher approval for academic value.
Now, Mind Meets Music is launching a formal 2026 pilot to prove this scalable model works nationwide.
The Team
Stephen Proctor
Director of Marketing & Technology
Stephen has spent his career focused on what works in the classroom and what doesn’t. After 10 years teaching, he saw firsthand how early literacy gaps show up and how difficult they are to close once they take hold.
With more than 20 years in marketing, technology, and content strategy, he focuses on building practical, scalable solutions that can reach more students, earlier. An Army veteran, he brings a strategic, clear-thinking approach to his work, helping turn strong ideas into systems that can be implemented and adapted in real classrooms.
Pamela Patton
Marketing & Administrative Support
Pam brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing, with a focus on content development, copywriting, and digital media. Her work has centered on helping organizations communicate clearly and execute consistently across platforms.
She supports content creation, social media, and day-to-day operations for Mind Meets Music, helping ensure consistency as the program grows. Pamela holds degrees from Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College, is certified by the Digital Marketing Institute, and was awarded the Silver Medal by the American Advertising Federation’s West Michigan chapter.
Dave Tomko
Business Advisor
Dave brings more than 35 years of experience in commercial banking, including senior leadership roles with responsibility for strategy, operations, and financial performance. His work has focused on aligning business strategy with sound financial planning and execution.
He currently advises Mind Meets Music on strategy development, cash flow forecasting, and operational alignment. David previously served as Regional President at PNC Bank and Chief Credit Officer at TCF Bank, and is an independent board member of Xtreme Engineered Flooring Systems.