About Karen

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and allowing me to tell you a bit about myself. I am a Registered Music Therapist. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy with a minor equivalent in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas in 1982. I completed a Master's Degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University in 1985. I have been a professional member of the American Music Therapy Association for over 30 years.

I began my private practice in 1989 in my south San Jose studio. I currently work with individual clients and provide Music Therapy for The Creekside School. I specialize in teaching piano, guitar and drums to students of all ages and abilities. I have worked with a variety of special education classrooms in Cupertino, Alum Rock, Oak Grove, Franklin McKinley, Gilroy Unified, Live Oak and Santa Clara Office of Education classrooms, and provided Music Therapy services for the City of San Jose's Therapeutic Recreation Services. As a licensed Kindermusik instructor, I taught mainstreamed early childhood music enrichment classes focusing on special needs clients for 10 years.

My previous employment experience includes working with adolescent and adult institutionalized patients through the Department of Mental Health in St. Louis, Missouri, working at group home for adults with developmental disabilities in Redwood City, CA and teaching and directing at a private elementary school in San Jose. I completed my clinical internship working with developmentally disabled adults at the Alan Short Center and on the pediatric and crisis intervention units at St. Joseph's Hospital in Stockton, CA.

I am committed to making Music Therapy accessible to members of the community through special events including: drum circles, singing groups, music and story time events at the library and public performance opportunities.

I look forward to discussing your child's special needs and potential Music Therapy experience. Please feel free to contact me at the phone number or email below.