Music Therapy Services in the Capital Region

Courtney A. Elder, MT-BC

Founder, Board Certified Music Therapist, MT Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor

North Bethlehem, NY

Courtney started Music Speaks in 2011 after nearly a decade working in the music therapy field in the Capital Region, seeing a need for creative therapeutic services that focused on the client above all else, and emphasized collaboration with teachers, teams and parents. Courtney graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston with her Bachelor's in Music Therapy, conducted clinical work at facilities like Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, and completed her internship at Wildwood School in Schenectady under the supervision of Beth McLaughlin, MME, LCAT, MT-BC.

A performer and songwriter from an early age, Courtney enjoys helping her clients express themselves through original songs, including collaborating on original recordings. Courtney still performs with her husband Andrew, in the duo "Hearty Hearty Love", throughout the Albany area.

Sharon Wheeler, MS, MT-BC, LCAT, HTCP

Board Certified Music Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

North Greenbush, NY

Sharon is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. She received her Bachelor of 

Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and completed her internship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, OH. She holds a master’s degree in Health Education from Penn State. Sharon was raised in The Capital District and started the first MT Collation for the area to support local music therapists over 20 years ago. She was also integral in serving on two Regional MT Conferences held in the Capital Region. Sharon has worked in a variety of settings from neurodiverse children, adult and adolescent inpatient and outpatient mental health, Eating Disorders, General medical and end of life care. Sharon is a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist  and enjoys teaching art interpretation to clients. In

addition, Sharon is a Certified Healing Touch  Practitioner and has a passion for integrative approach to health and wellness as noted in creating and managing The Healing Arts program at Albany

Medical Center.

Sharon’s primary instrument is trumpet, but most times you will see her with guitar in hand! In her spare time Sharon enjoys playing with her Celtic band Triskele who performs both locally and

internationally and has several CD recordings. She also loves traveling, kayaking, hosting get-togethers at her house with her spouse and spending time with her dog and cat. As a retired international soccer referee, she also mentors’ soccer referees to improve their skills to prepare them for higher level games

as a National referee coach.

Dara Ribis, MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Albany, NY

Dara graduated from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College music therapy program in July 2021. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University at Albany. Dara has been part of the Music Speaks team since January 2021 and completed her six-month clinical internship under the direction of Courtney Elder, MT-BC. She has experience working with individuals of all ages with complex medical conditions, developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, and behavioral and mental health concerns, supporting social, cognitive, emotional, communication, and physical needs. 

Dara’s primary instrument is the viola, which she has been playing for over 25 years. She has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and the Capital District. Dara enjoys performing and composing music with her husband and is an active member of the University Symphony Orchestra at the University at Albany. Dara is grateful and excited to be part of Music Speaks! 

Aubrie Lucas, MA, MT-BC, LCAT

Board Certified Music Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

Cohoes, NY

Aubrie has been practicing music therapy for 20 years.  She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology in 2001.  Aubrie also received a Master of Arts degree in Social Policy from Empire State College in 2006.  Her research for her final project discussed laws and special education, music therapy court cases, assessment and evaluation methods in music therapy, and advocacy for music therapy.  She presented her research from her final project at The American Music Therapy Association National Conference in November of 2005. Aubrie completed practicum work in a nursing home, head start program, and hemodialysis unit in a hospital.  She completed her internship at Quincy United Methodist Home in Quincy, Pennsylvania in December of 2001.  She worked in a skilled nursing home, assisted living home, and children’s day care center while interning at Quincy United Methodist Home.

Aubrie enjoys helping neurodiverse children through music.  She has been working with neurodiverse children in schools and homes since 2002.  She is looking forward to being part of the Music Speaks team.

Kelsey Bergey, MM, MMT, MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Colonie, NY

Kelsey Bergey joined the team at Music Speaks in the summer of 2022. Prior to relocating to the Capital Region, Kelsey started her professional music therapy career working at Dynamic Music Therapy in Las Vegas, NV after subcontracting in Orange County, CA.  She earned her Master of Music Therapy degree from Loyola University New Orleans and completed her internship with Mobile Music Therapy Services of Orange County. Kelsey has worked with a wide variety of populations from multiply and profoundly disabled adults to children with developmental disabilities. She has also had the privilege of working with veterans from the Wounded Warriors organization. 

Kelsey is a classically trained vocalist, voice teacher, and songwriter. She owned and operated her own voice studio in her hometown in Western Washington state where she taught students of all ages. Kelsey intends to grow her professional performing career in tandem with continuing to develop in music therapy. 

Matthew Stevenson, MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Southeastern IN

Matthew graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy from The University of Dayton in 2019. His clinical practicums allowed him experiences with down syndrome, children with ASD and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance abuse rehabilitation, dementia and alzheimers, as well as hospice care. He completed his internship at Giant Steps, an innovative educational and therapeutic program for individuals living with autism, in Lisle, IL in 2020. Here, he experienced working closely with mainly high-school aged students with ASD, both in an in-person setting as well as a virtual setting during the COVID-19 shutdown. In 2021, Matthew began work as a contract music therapist in southeast Indiana, working one on one with clients ranging in diagnosis including autism, down syndrome, dementia, and various intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Matthew has a passion for percussion, which he performs with in a variety of groups. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends. Matthew is very excited to be joining the Music Speaks team!

Erica Fernandez, MT-BC, NICU-MT

Board Certified Music Therapist

Jacksonville, FL

Erica earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music from Florida Atlantic University in 2017. She went on to study music therapy at Florida State University, where she earned her Master’s Degree in 2019. Erica became board-certified in December 2019 and holds specialized training in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU-MT) and Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). She currently lives in Jacksonville, FL where she provides music therapy services for children with a variety of developmental diagnoses in schools, private settings, and medical settings.

Erica’s primary instrument is flute. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing board games, and going to the beach.