Meet The Team
OUR MISSION
The mission of Music Therapy Services, Inc. is to assist clients toward improving, maintaining, or restoring a state of optimal well-being through using evidence-based music interventions. Music, which is an art form within all cultures, enables people to feel a sense of belonging, have an identity and creatively express themselves.
Music Therapy Services, Inc. was established in 1986 in the Tampa Bay area, and was one of only a very few Music Therapy companies throughout the state of Florida at that time. The company was founded by Jan Barbour and expanded to Jacksonville, Florida in 2016. Now serving 7 counties in the Sunshine State, a team of credentialed, highly experienced Music Therapists & Music Educators design & implement evidence-based music interventions to reach largely non-musical goals. The company’s therapists and educators use music, in its’ countless forms, to provide safe spaces for creativity, communication, social connectivity & growth (musical, behavioral and academic) to emerge and be validated. High-quality musical instruments that are age & developmentally appropriate are provided to all participants to engage with during the sessions. The company serves ages 2 – 102 in a variety of settings including Memory Care units, Assisted Living Facilities, Private Schools, group homes, day programs for developmentally delayed adults, ABA Clinics, Behavioral Clinics, and in the comfort of our clients’ private homes. Clients of Music Therapy Services, Inc. may have one, or more, of the following diagnosis: Alzheimer’s/Related Dementias, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), OCD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spina Bifida, Pfeiffer Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, PTSD, and Medically Complexities.
Specific types of music engagement may include singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, story-telling & music, songwriting, drumming, performing in the community, intentional listening, designing individual playlists, teaching music concepts (pitch, rhythm, harmony), genre studies.
Therapeutic music interventions provide a supportive and engaging avenue for enhancing communication, learning, social connectivity, skill development, emotional regulation, and sensory processing. Individual and group sessions are carefully designed & facilitated to improve the overall well-being and quality of life throughout the life cycle.
Sunshine Health CMS Medicaid, the FES Scholarship & Private Pay are all accepted forms of payment. Jan Barbour is a skilled and successful grant writer, having been awarded grants from the Mayo Clinic, Florida Blue, Pinellas County Schools (numerous grants), and the HEAL Foundation.
Meet The Team
Jan Barbour, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Founder/Owner
Jan Barbour, a life-long Floridian, is a dedicated and passionate advocate of the therapeutic power of music. Her journey towards her chosen field of Music Therapy began as a young teenager who saw beauty and potential in others with physical, medical or cognitive challenges. She began piano lessons at the age of 11, and, at the age of 14, her mother, recognizing Jan’s obvious passion for music and honoring all people, presented her with a book simply titled, “Music Therapy,” written in the 1950’s. The rest is history! In 1975, Jan earned a major in Music Therapy from Florida State University, and she’s been consistently practicing the art for decades. In 2003, she became a Certified Music Educator, and later earned the distinction of National Board Certified Music Educator. As a Music Educator in public schools, she shared her passion for music with countless students, in both “Special Education Center Schools,” and General Education Schools, leaving a lasting impression.
In 1986, Jan founded Music Therapy Services, Inc. in Pinellas County, Florida, with a vision to make the therapeutic power of music accessible to all learners and ages. Under her leadership, the organization has flourished, expanding its reach into Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Flagler Counties in 2016. What sets Jan apart is her 4-decade dedication to the field of Music Therapy, and her unwavering commitment to quality; as all staff use only age & developmentally-appropriate, high-quality musical instruments. Jan’s success as a grant writer has secured funding from prestigious organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, Florida Blue, the HEAL Foundation, and public school districts, ensuring that her mission continues to impact countless lives through the healing power of music.
Kim Keith
Kim Keith is a life-long Floridian, and long time Jacksonville resident. She completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music in 1991 at Florida Baptist Theological College, Master’s Degree in Music Education in 1994 at Florids State University, and a Master’s in Church Music in 1997 at LOGOS Christian College. After working as a Music Educator in several different schools in Duval County, Florida, Kim became a staff member at Music Therapy Services, Inc. in 2019. Her primary client populations include older adults with Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias, children/teen & adults on the autism spectrum and/or developmental disabilities, and children on Hospice care. She is a gifted vocalist, and a piano & vocal instructor. Kim offers a person-centered approach to sharing music and encourages her clients to share their music through singing, playing instruments, dancing and developing their own personal playlists. Watching her clients learn, achieve and enjoy music brings Kim immense joy and satisfaction, as her approach is one of care, understanding, honoring the individual and giving each client the freedom to make their own choices and their own music that is inside of them.
Michelle Snow
Michelle Snow has been teaching music and practicing Music Therapy with diverse populations for 40 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Music Therapy and Music Education and a Master’s degree in Adult Education Administration from Florida State University, holds a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate and is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC). In her long career, Michelle has taught Adult Education, middle and high school Chorus, and general music to children and adults with special needs, in addition to owning her own private music studio where she taught piano and voice. Ms. Snow has also been a church musician for as long as she can remember. She has been involved in the field of Music Therapy for 20 years, mainly working with children and adults with special needs and the elderly. Her main delight is seeing the joy and therapeutic benefits music brings to those with whom she works.
Music Therapy Services, Inc. recognizes the HEAL Foundation & Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville for supporting our efforts through grant funding.
