“What do I love about music therapy? I love engaging with others in music, not doing something to or for them, but collaborating with them as they move toward wholeness. I am excited about using music to work toward goals that have nothing to do with music but everything to do with living.”
Stepping Stones is based in Anacortes, about 80 miles north of Seattle, WA. Owner and founder of Stepping Stones Music Therapy, Mary’s interest in music therapy stems from challenges she has faced personally and with her family for which music provided means of expression, comfort, and connections. She brings breadth of experience from years of teaching as well as depth of life experience. Mary has worked with persons on the spectrum in private and group homes, those with multiple disabilities (for example, intellectual disabilities along with physical disabilities), in the mental health field, in a hospital setting, and in assisted living and nursing home settings. Mary enjoys bicycling, hiking, traveling, camping, crocheting, and watching the antics of her cat. Mary collaborates with the choir at the United Methodist Church of Anacortes to lead them on the journey of producing beautiful and meaningful music. She formerly served on the Foundation Board of the Anacortes Senior Activity Center.
Educational Highlights
- B.A. in music education and piano performance at Asbury University
- Earned a master’s degree in piano at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati
- Completed music therapy studies at Slippery Rock University
- Six-month music therapy internship which included practice at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (an inpatient mental health facility) as well as Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
- 2015: Basic facilitator training in HealthRHYTHMS
- 2012 Certification: Neurologic Music Therapist–trained at Colorado State University
- 2001: Voice Education in the Real World, a week-long course by The VoiceCare Network