Massage Therapy

SARAH E WALENDY, Dept. Coordinator

With 25 years of experience working with the body, including 16 years as an LMT, Sarah has cultivated a holistic approach to bodywork that emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from a dance background, Sarah brings an innate understanding of movement, alignment, and fluidity to her classes, fostering a deep sense of body awareness and encouraging an intuitive approach to healing. As a dedicated teacher, Sarah is passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge with students, empowering them to thrive in the massage therapy field. She places a strong focus on cultivating not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of client care, helping students build meaningful, compassionate relationships with those they serve. Through her guidance, Sarah inspires the next generation of Massage Therapists to approach their practice with both skill and empathy.

CRYSTAL NIEDERMEYER

Crystal graduated from the massage program here at RCC in 2005. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from SOU and journeyed on to combine her degree in health education and massage therapy to provide a more balanced approach to her client’s health. Over the years she has worked in chiropractic clinical settings and fitness centers with clients who are looking to improve their health and wellbeing.

She has been teaching massage classes since 2011. Her teaching philosophy is to assist and guide student-lead learning. She helps students connect to the learning material by understanding there are multiple ways to learn, and how to find the resources to aid in their learning process. She helps her students build strong foundations within the massage industry and helps develop student self-care while going to school and to carry on with them throughout their massage career.

Degrees Earned
Rogue Community College, AA Massage Therapy Certificate
Southern Oregon University, BS

Certificates
MT certified since 2005 NCBTMB certified since 2005

JESSICA McCLAIN

Initially licensed in 2012, Jessica enjoyed a 10-year career in private practice Massage Therapy before coming to teach in the RCC Massage Program in 2022. Her first opportunity to experience teaching came in the form of meditation facilitation (for adults and children), couples massage classes and infant massage classes, all offered in addition to Massage and Bodywork offerings in her practice. She now applies that experience into her instructor position with RCC, weaving mindfulness and joy into her course content. She strives to approach and present content in a way that speaks to various learning styles. Jessica currently teaches Eastern Bodyworks 1 & 2, Hydrotherapy, Massage for Cancer Patients as well as Business and Ethics for Massage Therapists. Medically retired from her own massage practice since 2022, Jessica gains an immense amount of joy from and holds a great passion for helping to prepare each new generation of LMTs to be released out into the world with the skills and confidence to save the world, one massage at a time.

SUZIE WAGNER

Suzie began her massage therapy career in 2004 after completing her 1100 hr program from Sister Rosalind Gefre School of Massage Therapy in North Dakota.

Suzie’s experiences have ranged from Chiropractic Clinics, various day spas, and wellness clinics. Suzie then began to build her private practice in 2017 to focus on chronic pain management and injury care. With a deep commitment to both the practice and teaching of massage therapy, Suzie brings years of hands-on experience and a passion for education to the classroom. As a massage therapy instructor, she strives to inspire the next generation of therapists, emphasizing both technique and the importance of compassionate care. Her teaching approach combines foundational knowledge, practical skills, and real-world applications to prepare students for successful and fulfilling careers in the field of massage therapy.