Music Therapy, Voice, Piano, Ukulele, Guitar
Education and awards:
- Master of Arts in Music Therapy, Immaculata University (4.0 GPA)
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Minor in Disability Studies, University of Delaware (magna cum laude)
- Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC); Licensed in state of GA (LPMT)
Music therapy/teaching experience:
- Music Therapist/Teacher at Metro Music Makers since 2016
- Recreation Therapist/Music Therapist — Adolescent Eating Disorder Program and Adult Choir for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, Atlantic Health System (NJ) (2015-2016)
- Contract Music Therapist, Monmouth Medical Center Pediatric Inpatient Unit and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit (2015-2016)
- Contract Music Therapist — Private music therapy services for students of varying ages and diagnoses, Tempo! Music Therapy (2015-2016)
- Middle School Choir/General Music Teacher, George Read Middle School (2010-2013)
- Private Voice Instructor (2010-2015)
- Early Childhood Music Instructor, University of Delaware Community Music School (2007-2011)
Before coming to Georgia and Metro Music Makers, Kristen worked as a music therapist in two children’s hospitals (on the inpatient unit and adolescent eating disorder program) and a private practice specializing in children with learning disabilities in New Jersey. Prior to that, she was a middle school choir teacher for three years in Delaware, where she grew up.
As part of the Metro Music Makers team, Kristen provides music therapy for children/adolescents with a variety of different diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, cerebral palsy and auditory processing disorder. She also facilitates music therapy sessions for assisted living and memory care programs in the Metro Atlanta area. In addition to music therapy services, Kristen also teaches adaptive lessons and typical lessons in voice, piano, ukulele and guitar.
“I love having a piece of my heart in both the music education world and the music therapy world,” she says. “I know how influential music has been in my own life, and I love helping my students discover their own journey with music and the role that it can play in their own lives.”
Kristen is known for her corny jokes and turning pretty much anything into a song, which she uses in her quest to make music accessible to everyone while keeping them laughing in the process. Outside of the music world, Kristen and her husband live in Cumming, Georgia with their dog Mosby and new baby boy!
