Our OWNER

Mary Altom, MT-BC

Mary Altom, MT-BC

Owner, Music Therapist

Sound Starts Music was established by Mary Altom, a board certified music therapist, in 2011 to provide music therapy and adapted music lessons for children with special needs. Giving students opportunities to learn through music is Mary’s passion, and she is a firm believer that music can help every individual reach their fullest potential.

Mary earned her certification as a Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT) through intense training at Colorado State University. Mary completed her music therapy internship with MusicWorx of California under the supervision of Dr. Barbara Reuer and graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in Music – Music Therapy in 2007.

Mary is an active member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Southwestern Region American Music Therapy Association.  She enjoys attending national and regional conferences each year and has presented at regional conference.  Mary is married to Ben and they have three children – Jaxon (8), Lily (4), and Owen (baby). She enjoys reading and pinterest crafting in her spare time.

Watch Ms. Mary’s Facebook video here.

 

Our DIRECTORS

Samantha Lowry, MT-BC

Samantha Lowry, MT-BC

Center Clinical Director, Music Therapist

Samantha Lowry is a graduate from West Texas A & M University with her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. As Center Clinical Director, she oversees all things related to our center-based services in Frisco and Grapevine! Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide variety of clientele and discovered that serving school-aged children is her preferred and strongest area of practice. Samantha completed her internship spring of 2015 at Hurst-Euless-Bedford I.S.D. near Fort Worth. Her experience at Hurst-Euless-Bedford I.S.D reinforced her calling to work with the school-aged population. She enjoys using familiar songs and writing new materials to target specific goals as well as engaging her clients in improvisational music making. Her love of music and desire to help others is what brought her to Sound Starts Music! Samantha loves sharing her passion for music with the families at Sound Starts Music!

Watch Ms. Samantha’s Facebook video here.

 

Tyler Smith, MT-BC

Tyler Smith, MT-BC

Community Clinical Director, Music Therapist

Tyler Smith is a 2018 graduate of Sam Houston State University majoring in Music Therapy. As Community Clinical Director, Tyler completes school evaluations and oversees services provided at our schools and other outside organizations! Tyler is a percussionist and was a drummer for the SHSU jazz lab band. Plano, Texas is his home, so he is excited to be back serving in this community. He is recently married so in his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Madison, watching movies, playing ping-pong, and watching the sunset. Tyler is excited to lead The Band Experience at Sound Starts.

Watch Mr. Tyler’s Facebook video here.

 

Our TEAM MUSIC THERAPISTS

Kelsey Clark, MT-BC

Kelsey Clark, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Kelsey Clark graduated from Sam Houston State University in the Fall of 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. Kelsey completed her internship at Sound Starts Music in December of 2019. During her time at SHSU, Kelsey worked with a variety of clientele, including preschoolers, a client with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, geriatrics, and a client with Cerebral Palsy. Her primary instrument is the cello. Kelsey has known since she was 12 that she wanted to work with children with special needs, and is excited to work with this population through Sound Starts. In her free time, Kelsey loves writing poetry, binge-watching TV shows (especially Grey’s Anatomy), and hanging out with her cat, Strudel, and her dogs Kujo and Brady. 

Watch Ms. Kelsey’s Facebook video here.

Shawn Crump, MT-BC

Shawn Crump, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Shawn Crump graduated from Texas Woman’s University in the Summer of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy.
Shawn completed his internship at VNA Hospice of Treasure Coast, working to maintain the comfort and abilities of hospice patients and engaging in community programs. 
 
During his time at TWU, Shawn worked with children with developmental delays, older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, and child survivors of domestic abuse. 
His primary instrument is guitar, though he enjoys playing a variety of instruments.
 
Shawn has had a strong desire to help children with special needs since his own childhood. After discovering a passion for music as a teenager, Shawn sought a career that would allow him to develop his musical skills while providing opportunities to serve the community. Music Therapy became an obvious choice, allowing him to help others grow bright and strong through music. 
 
Shawn lives with his wife Lauren and their two cats, Orion and Karina. In his free time, Shawn enjoys playing games and spending time with his family and friends. 
Daniel Sirney, MT-BC

Daniel Sirney, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Daniel Sirney graduated with a Master’s of Music Therapy from TWU in December 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from Texas A&M University – Commerce. He also completed his internship at Expressive Therapies LLC in Appleton, Wisconsin. This internship experience included work with a wide variety of clientele, from children and adults with ASD and other developmental disabilities, to older clients who have anxiety and depression. In addition to his internship experience, Daniel worked with children with developmental disabilities, individuals in hospice care, and individuals with complications from strokes. 

His primary instrument is trombone, but he frequently plays piano, guitar, and other instruments. As a former teacher, Daniel has a passion for helping others learn and grow. He has always had a passion for music and service which helped lead him toward the field of music therapy. Daniel currently lives at home with his family and two cats, Aria and Theodore. In addition to music, he enjoys running, exercising, and playing video games.

Charlotte Clark, MT-BC

Charlotte Clark, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Charlotte Clark is a graduate from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy and has been Board Certified since 2016. Charlotte has experience working with different age groups and diagnoses. She has grown up and resides in Denton, TX where her love of music was created and nourished. She is a firm believer that music is a universal language and anyone can be a musician. Charlotte is also involved in her church choir and in the Denton Bell Band. When she is not working, Charlotte enjoys reading books, manga and online webcomics, as well as pottery, archery, and attempting to sew. 

Landon Whitworth, MT-BC

Landon Whitworth, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Landon Whitworth joined the team in January 2023. He finished his internship at Primary Children’s Hospital in 2022 and loved his experience there! He has lots of different experiences to bring to Sound Starts. He graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. There he studied percussion performance with David Taylor, Drumset with Kobe Watkins, Jazz piano and Vibes with Justin Nielsen, and Composition with Mark Watkins. He also worked as a private music teacher while finishing up his MT-BC. Landon is finishing up at Texas Woman’s University to receive a Master’s in Music Therapy and should have that done by the end of 2023. He plays Drumset, guitar, ukulele and piano. He believes in the innate musical ability of all and seeks to guide students to discover their own abilities and value as musicians.
Lindsy Lev, MT-BC

Lindsy Lev, MT-BC

Music Therapist

Lindsy Lev holds a BA in Music (piano emphasis) from Southern Methodist University and a Masters of Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She completed her internship at MusicWorx of California in 2019, and became a board certified music therapist that same year. Her practicum and internship experiences included (among other populations) working with children and adults with special needs, doing a study abroad with the Jamaica Field Service, and working in hospitals serving both children and adults. Before joining Sound Starts in March of 2023, Lindsy spent two years working as a music therapist in child and adolescent trauma and mental health. Lindsy was born and raised in Costa Rica in a fully bilingual and bicultural household, and wrote her Master’s thesis on the Current State of Music Therapy in Costa Rica. She is particularly passionate about serving the Hispanic community, as it is estimated that only 3.5-10% of music therapists in the USA identify as Hispanic/Latinx. Besides working at Sound Starts, Lindsy holds a position as a cantorial soloist at her synagogue. In her time off, Lindsy enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, learning languages, and watching cooking competition shows.
Tanner Ledet

Tanner Ledet

Music Therapist

Tanner Ledet completed his coursework for undergrad in Music Therapy in Fall of 2022 at Texas Woman’s University. In his studies, he worked with adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s, children in special education, adults at the homeless shelter, and clients diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome at the TWU speech-pathology clinic. Tanner is a strong believer in music therapy and hopes to empower his clients and provide skilled therapy using the power of music. In his free time, Tannerenjoys running and spending time with his family.

Our INTERNS

Gabriel Navarro

Gabriel Navarro

Music Therapy Intern

Gabriel completed their undergrad coursework for Music Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. In their studies they worked with children in special education, adults with developmental disabilities, and older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Gabriel is passionate about allowing clients to be their authentic selves and help them grow using music therapy. In their free time, Gabriel enjoys playing video games, solving puzzles, and attending concerts. They also enjoy spending time with their partner and six pets.

Gabrielle Ward

Gabrielle Ward

Music Therapy Intern

Gabrielle (Gabby) Ward completed her undergrad coursework for Music Therapy in May of 2022 at Roberts Wesleyan University. During her studies, she worked with infants and children in the NICU/PICU, children in special education, and older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Gabby’s passion for music led her to pursue Music Therapy, and she is excited to continue to learn alongside her clients as they grow. In her free time, Gabby enjoys reading and playing board games, like Mysterium and Mosaic, with her husband, Brad, and playing with their
dog, Tamino.

Specially Designed Songs & Strategies

Our team is trained to develop specific songs and music interventions to meet a wide variety of goals specific to each of our client’s needs.

Client Centered Services

We believe in client centered services. We take the time to get to know you and meet you exactly where you are.

Evidence Based Practice

Our music therapist’s techniques and strategies are a direct reflection of the most current evidenced based practice in music therapy.

Clear Communication

You can expect frequent communication from our music therapists. Session reminders and session summary notes are shared weekly.

Clients Served Each Week

Music Therapists on our Team

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Passionate

Get In Touch.

We offer a complimentary consultation so get on our schedule today!