Michelle Lazar, MA, MT-BC is an Autism Specialist with a Masters degree in Special Education & Autism from San Diego State University and a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy from Western Michigan University. Michelle has advanced level training in applied behavior analysis and has completed the coursework portion of the BCBA requirements.
Jeremy Jensen, MM, MT-BC is a Board Certified Music Therapist with a Masters degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University, with an emphasis in Neurologic Music Therapy and additional training in Applied Behavior Analysis. Jeremy directs the music recording and sound engineering projects for Tuned in to Learning. He currently resides in San Francisco and is pursuing his doctorate degree in clinical psychology.
Karyn Lewis Searcy, MA CCC, Speech-Language Pathologist
Karyn is the founder and director of Crimson Center for Speech & Language Pathology, a San Diego-based agency offering speech therapy, occupational therapy, social language programs, and educational consultation. Karyn earned her master's degree in Speech-Language pathology at the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana in 1976 and served as assistant professor at Elmhurst College before moving to San Diego in 1988.
Karyn lectures nationally through Cross Country Education on topics of early intervention and communication disorders in children and has presented seminars at The American Speech/Language Association National Convention.
Linda Schroeder, MME, MT-BC, Supervisor/Music Therapist, Coast Music Therapy
Linda currently supervises Coast Music Therapy’s clinic-based services as well as provides IEP-based music therapy services in several public and non-public schools in San Diego and surrounding districts. Linda also has specialized training in applied behavior analysis and consults with autism agencies on the use of music in ABA home programs and social skills groups. She presents locally and nationally on the use of music as an effective therapy approach for students with special needs. Outside of Coast, Linda heads up the Special Needs Ministry at the Rock Church in San Diego and is active in their Worship Ministry.
Vanessa Contopulos, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Coast Music Therapy
Vanessa graduated from the University of Redlands with a double major in music and psychology. Growing up in musical theater, Vanessa loves anything involving creativity... music, dance, art etc. She especially loves the way that children so freely create with wonder and abandon. She is inspired as she works with children of all abilities, backgrounds, ages, and cultures. Vanessa also loves to travel, to people from all over the world, and hear their stories. Her most recent travels led her to Northern Uganda where she started a music therapy and music education program for children affected by the 24-year civil war, www.teachingchildrenpeace.com and www.invisiblechildren.com.
Erica Flores, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Coast Music Therapy
Erica graduated from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Therapy. In addition to her work with children, Erica specializes in the geriatric population as well as the medically fragile. Erica has been playing piano for 17 years with piano being her primary instrument in college. She enjoys traveling to Wisconsin and Brasil with her husband to spend time with family. While in Brasil, Erica conducted music therapy sessions with children at an elementary school, giving her the opportunity to see first-hand how music truly is a universal language.
Talia Morales, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Coast Music Therapy
Talia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas. She has been a board certified music therapist since 2002. During this time, she has worked with a variety of populations in the United States, Uganda, as well as her native country of Peru. In addition to providing music therapy services, Talia has a gifted voice and is featured on a variety of Tuned in to Learning songs. She is currently composing and performing her original songs which draw from her love of eclectic musical styles.
Shaina Pugh, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Coast Music Therapy
Shaina is a board certified music therapist with a baccalaureate degree in music therapy from Berklee College of Music. Shaina specializes in providing music therapy services to a diverse range of students from pre-school through high school. Along with her passion for working with children Shaina is a talented vocalist and is featured on many of the Tuned in to Learning song recordings. If you are in the area, you may catch Shaina performing with a variety of bands at some of San Diego's most popular venues including Humphrey's by the Bay, The Loews Coronado Resort, Barona and Viejas Casinos.
Megan Fontaine is a performance artist specializing in the circus arts. She has her own performance art company and is involved in the newly formed circus troupe in San Diego called Zirk Ubu, contributing as a choreographer, performer, and costume designer. Megan happily lends her vocal talents to Tuned in to Learning and enjoys working in the recording studio. Check out more by Megan at www.mangoanddango.com and her troupe at www.zirkubu.com.
Veronica May, MT-BC is a music therapist and performer who has been playing piano for 20 years, percussion for 11 and guitar for 5. She grew up in a small town with big love. Her mom and dad played in a band in the 70’s called “The Flatlanders”. The music carried on through them and will forever. Right now Veronica is changing the way she plays. Her Melody/Percussion is a sound all her own. If her fingers aren’t bleeding by the end of the show, she didn’t give you everything she had.
Click here to visit Veronica's site.
