About Us

Ricardo is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and a proud graduate of the University of Georgia.

With over 25 years of experience, Ricardo specializes in providing music therapeutic sessions and music lessons tailored to both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, including those with special needs. His expertise includes advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy through the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy, which informs his clinical approach when working with a wide range of populations, such as individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Stroke (CVA), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD), and other neurological and developmental conditions that affect communication, cognition, and mobility.

Ricardo's unique approach combines his extensive experience with a deep understanding of each individual’s needs, making music therapy an enriching and transformative experience for all his clients.

Ricardo has displayed a profound passion for pioneering innovative approaches to the integration of music therapy and music education. As a testament to this commitment, he has pioneered the Cyberstra Method™ (formerly known as the Cyber Orchestra Method), a virtual music education program tailored for mainstream classrooms. This program not only imparts fundamental music education concepts and standards but also fosters an inclusive keyboard-orchestra ensemble experience, thoughtfully adapted to meet the unique needs of learners, including those with special requirements.

Additionally, Ricardo held the role of conference clinician at the 2019 Music Meets Medicine Conference hosted by Molloy College in New York, organized by the Interdisciplinary Society of Quantitative Research on Music and Medicine (ISQRMM). At the conference, Ricardo presented research findings that resulted from a collaborative effort with the Director of Music Therapy at the University of Georgia.

Ricardo also has experience as a Special Needs Department Representative in California's Special Education sector. Furthermore, he has showcased his expertise as a clinician at the Music Educator Association (CMEA) Southwestern Conferences in both 2019 and 2020.

Ricardo diligently upholds full compliance with the requisite continuing education and standards procedures mandated by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

For Music Therapy Board Certification  verification please click:

CBMT Certified Music Therapist Search 

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Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Nicole is a dedicated and empathic Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) who studied at California State University, Northridge and completed her internship at Professional Child Development Associated (PCDA) in Pasadena, CA. She began her musical journey through playing the flute in marching band and always felt a calling to help others.

Throughout her career, Nicole has honed her skills in working with diverse populations including neurodiverse children and teens, mental health, recovery, and trauma cases. Her experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of the nuanced needs and challenges that individuals face on their healing journeys. 

In her practice, Nicole utilizes a combination of the (DIR) Floortime model integrated with a humanistic approach, emphasizing warmth, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. By fostering meaningful connections and tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each client, Nicole creates a safe and nurturing space for exploration and growth. Nicole is excited to join the LA Musica team and utilize her diverse skill set and leadership experiences to support the growth of both her clients and the LA Musica team!

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Akilah is a Music Therapist Board Certified and holds a Masters of Music, Music Therapy Degree from the Illinois State University.

Akilah hails from Chicago, IL and has been a resident of Los Angeles, CA for almost nine years after pursuing her music therapy internship in 2014 at PCDA in Pasadena, CA. 

Akilah has enjoyed working with children for a long time. She has a background in music education, as she taught general music to children in grades K-6 for two years before pursuing her music therapy degree from Illinois State University in 2012. 

Akilah started her music therapy career working with neurodiverse children before transitioning to working in mental health with adults in inpatient psych as well as in addiction recovery. 

As a music therapist, Akilah has had the opportunity to attend trips internationally to speak on and provide music therapy services in Kenya, Uganda, and Thailand. 

During the early part of the pandemic, Akilah provided virtual music and movement classes as a Zumbini instructor, working with children ages 0-5.

Akilah worked in inpatient psych for five years before transitioning back to her first love of working with children. 

She is happy to be a part of the LA Musica Therapy team and looks forward to continuing to grow her skillset with the company. 

In her free time, Akilah enjoys serving with her music organization, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women, and her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. 

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Stefanie Li is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and Piano Teacher based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Stefanie embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of three, beginning her lifelong passion for the piano. Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, she brings a rich cultural and linguistic background to her practice.

Stefanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Hong Kong Baptist University and later pursued her Master of Music Education in Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. Her educational journey equipped her with a robust foundation in both music and therapy, which she skillfully combines in her professional work.

With a profound commitment to working with the pediatric population, Stefanie specializes in serving children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities, and their families through her clinical practice. Her work is driven by a heartfelt dedication to improving the lives of these children and their families through the transformative power of music therapy.

As a devoted music educator and accomplished pianist, Stefanie extended her influence by publishing her master's thesis, which delves into innovative approaches to support music therapists and piano teachers in facilitating adaptive piano lessons for children with special needs. Her research reflects her unwavering belief that all children, regardless of their challenges, deserve the opportunity to discover the joy and beauty of making music in their lives.

In essence, Stefanie Li combines her diverse cultural background, rigorous education, and deep-seated passion to create a harmonious world of music for the young and the exceptional.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Ricki is a Board-Certified Music Therapist based in Los Angeles. She earned her Master of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Miami and holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance and Psychology from the University of Redlands. Ricki completed her internship at AccentCare in Ontario, CA. 

From an early age, Ricki aspired to work in a helping profession, which led her to become a music therapist and educator. During her early college years, she taught individual cello lessons and conducted group string classes in the Inland Empire. While attending the University of Miami, Ricki provided music lessons at Title I schools and led virtual music therapy-inspired services for neurodiverse high school students via Zoom.

Ricki has experience in music therapy with individuals of all ages across various settings, including working with neurodiverse children and adolescents, adults in hospice care, adults in rehabilitation (TBI, CVA), and children in early intervention. She employs neurologic music therapy and a humanistic approach to deliver individualized, evidence-based care. As a dedicated lifelong learner, Ricki continually strives to expand her skills and enhance her music therapy techniques to better support her clients' needs. 

In her free time, Ricki plays the cello with the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, a multigenerational ensemble that features both traditional Chinese and Western instruments. Being a member of this orchestra for 14 years has deepened Ricki’s connection to her culture and community.

Ricki is thrilled to join the LA Musica Therapy team as the Program Coordinator for the Early Childhood Development Department, while also serving as a dedicated Staff Music Therapist. She is grateful to be a part of each client’s journey, supporting their growth and well-being through meaningful, individualized music therapy experiences.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy , Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Alexandra is a Board-Certified Music Therapist from Miami, FL, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology. 

Her primary instrument is voice, with additional proficiency in guitar, piano, and ukulele.

During her studies, Alexandra gained clinical experience working with pediatric populations in a variety of settings, including early intervention programs, schools for children with disabilities, and a children’s hospital. These experiences deepened her passion for working with children and highlighted the transformative role music can play in emotional and developmental growth. 

Following her undergraduate studies, Alexandra completed a six-month internship at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. During this time, she served as an advocate for her patients and their families, emphasizing the importance of mental health, emotional expression, and patient autonomy throughout the medical journey. 

Alexandra is fluent in Spanish and uses this as a tool to foster deeper connections with a wide range of clients. She is passionate about creating a supportive, inclusive space where clients feel empowered to explore and thrive through music.

She is thrilled to be part of the LA Music Therapy team and looks forward to bringing her warmth, creativity, and commitment to every session. 

Music Lessons and Music Therapy , Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Ricardo is a Medical Doctor and a Board-Certified Music Therapist currently based in Los

Angeles, CA. Originally from Lima, he completed his medical studies at Universidad

Peruana Cayetano Heredia and later earned his master’s degree in Music Therapy from the

University of Barcelona in Spain. 

Learning music as a hobby has always been a meaningful

part of his life, and over time, this personal interest grew alongside his professional path.

Music therapy became the meeting point between both of his passions—medicine and

music—leading him to pursue formal training in the field. His primary instruments are

winds, such as trumpet and saxophone, with additional proficiency in guitar, ukulele, and

piano.

Before transitioning into music therapy, Ricardo spent five years working in the medical

field, with experience across outpatient and inpatient care, as well as in academic roles as

a teaching assistant and coordinator. After completing his studies in music therapy, he

joined the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New

York as a research scholar, where he gained hands-on experience in both clinical research

and direct patient care. He worked closely with individuals undergoing radiation treatment,

focusing on managing acute anxiety and emotional distress. 

Ricardo is also a certified

Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT), combining structured, brain-based techniques with a

personalized approach to care. He is an active member of AMUSIPE, the Peruvian

Association of Music Therapy, and is committed to contributing to the growth of the field in

his home country.

Ricardo is excited to be part of the LA Music Therapy team and looks forward to

collaborating with colleagues who share a passion for creative, client-centered care. He’s

eager to contribute his experience while continuing to grow and learn within a supportive

and dynamic environment.

Outside of work, Ricardo enjoys watching stand-up comedy, listening to jazz, and spending

time with his two cats, Tudel and Mambo N°5. He values humor, creativity, and quiet

moments, and often finds inspiration for his sessions in the rhythms and stories of

everyday life.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy , Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Frances Florentino grew up in a musically inclined family in California’s Central Valley, where her passion for music first took root. She began her studies in cello performance, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Music Performance from Fresno City College. In 2024, she graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, specializing in Music Therapy and minoring in Psychology.

Frances completed her clinical internship at Silverado Beverly Place, a memory care community, where she worked with older adults living with dementia and related conditions. She also gained broad clinical experience supporting medically fragile children, children on the autism spectrum in classroom settings, and older adults in assisted living as well as mental and behavioral health facilities. These opportunities deepened her commitment to using music as a means of fostering connection, supporting emotional well-being, and enhancing quality of life across the lifespan.

With a foundation in both performance and psychology—and inspired by her family’s strong musical influence—Frances integrates artistry, empathy, and evidence-based practice into her work as a music therapist.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale  

Ellie Kim is a compassionate music therapist with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology. She grew up in Los Angeles, California, and in 2025 obtained her degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Her primary instrument is piano, with additional proficiency in guitar, ukulele, and various percussion instruments.

After graduating, she completed her clinical internship at Silverado Beverly Place, a memory care facility in Los Angeles. During the internship, she gained experience working with older adults living with dementia and Alzheimer’s-related conditions. She also facilitated sessions in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, including physical therapists and occupational therapists.

Ellie was introduced to music therapy through volunteering at a child development center known as Professional Child Development Associates (PCDA) in Pasadena, California. Inspired by the music therapy sessions at PCDA, she pivoted her career toward becoming a music therapist to continue working with children. She feels a strong calling to work with children with special needs, using music as a tool for communication and rapport building.

Through various practicums and her internship, Ellie gained experience working with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, developmental and intellectual disabilities, adults in psychiatric rehabilitation settings, and individuals with neurologic disorders. Throughout her training, she learned to utilize improvisational, songwriting, and neurologic music therapy–inspired interventions with her clients.

As a first-generation immigrant from South Korea, she incorporates a holistic and humanistic approach, ensuring her practice is culturally aware and appropriate. She is passionate about advocating for the de-stigmatization of mental health, disabilities, and various diagnoses. She is fluent in Korean and hopes to continue developing meaningful connections within a safe and inclusive space for different backgrounds.

Ellie has completed all academic and clinical requirements for board certification in music therapy and is scheduled to sit for the CBMT examination.

Ellie is excited to join the LA Musica Therapy team and looks forward to growing as a genuine and empathetic music therapist for her clients. 

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Jessie is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) based in Los Angeles, California. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Production and Master of Arts in Music Therapy at the University of the Pacific. Born and raised in Taiwan, Jessie is fluent in Mandarin and English and brings a rich cultural and linguistic background to her practice. She values the importance of creating a culturally sensitive, supportive, and inclusive therapeutic environment where clients feel empowered to explore and thrive through music. 

She completed her clinical internship at Metropolitan State Hospital and Aliso Viejo Behavioral Health, gaining experience working with both adults and adolescents in diverse behavioral health settings. Jessie is also a Certified Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT) and is deeply interested in how neuroplasticity shapes human functioning, using music as a powerful tool to support growth and rehabilitation. With a strong background and passion in music production, Jessie integrates musical technology into sessions and enjoys collaborating with clients to create original music as part of the therapeutic process.

Outside of work, Jessie enjoys spending time with her two cats, Potato and Pancake. She also enjoys visiting the zoo, participating in wildlife conservation events, and volunteering at local animal shelters.

Jessie is grateful to be part of the LA Music Therapy team and looks forward to creating a humanistic and safe therapeutic environment while supporting each client on their unique journey.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

Savannah is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), specialist in Neurologic Music Therapy

(NMT), licensed Music Educator (BME) and proud graduate of Berklee College of Music.

Savannah is dedicated to the client-centered philosophy that uses research and clinical

practice focused on play-based and improvisation techniques that foster empathy and seek to

increase quality of life. In her music therapy internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,

Savannah served pediatric clients in palliative care, PICU and oncology, helping to develop

legacy projects, reduce stress and anxiety of hospitalization, provide coping and pain

management tools and provide holistic support and healing for the family unit. It is here where

Savannah observed how music therapy is a catalyst for real change in providing comfort,

increasing autonomy, encapsulating memories and emotions, and as stimuli for regulating

physiological needs.

As a music educator, Savannah worked in preschools in Boston, MA, primary schools in

Pennridge, PA and throughout Pasadena and Glendale school districts in California. Having the

privilege to work in such diverse communities, Savannah’s teaching style is embedded with

cultural humility, student-centered expertise, family knowledge integration and deep respect for

the whole child. Early childhood music pedagogies like Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, Suzuki, and

Gordon’s Music Learning Theory are fundamental lenses that shape how students interact with

rhythm, singing and movement to develop speech, language and confidence as social beings.

As a dancer, movement is an integral part of Savannah’s scope, ensuring clients have the

opportunity to actualize their full potential, increase self-esteem and find their groove. Savannah

continues to collaborate with Academy of Music for the Blind, working with blind and

visually-impaired students to develop their musical and intrapersonal selves. She has learned

immensely about how to craft accessible music sessions that are strength-based and rigorous in

recognizing the creativity of each student.

Savannah is an experienced vocalist, cellist, pianist and guitarist who loves to play

percussion in drum groups like Grooversity Global Drumming Network and has performed and

conducted with choirs like Univoz and Crepusculum Choir. It is Savannah’s duty to provide high

quality musical environments for clients as the medium for transformational therapy. In her life,

Savannah is a songwriter, poet and artist, engaging in social dancing in the community and avid

gardening. She looks forward to joining a dynamic team of Music Therapists and specialists at

LA Musica Therapy and sharing her profound passion for this work.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale

 Howard Dounn brings more than 30 years of experience in mental health and education, supporting children and families within the neurodiverse community. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to helping individuals grow, learn, and thrive through compassionate, evidence-based care. 

Howard earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach and began his career as a residential counselor for youth at The H.E.L.P. Group. Over the next two decades, he worked extensively in residential treatment settings with teenagers and adults, serving as both a case manager and counselor. After two years teaching elementary school, Howard pursued advanced training and earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. He then worked as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, contributing to two specialized programs. 

For the past decade, Howard has specialized as a Developmental Therapist, first with Holding Hands, Inc. and now as an independent consultant. He works with neurodivergent children, including those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder(ADHD), Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. His practice centers on the DIR/Floortime model, emphasizing social-emotional growth through meaningful relationships and play-based learning. 

Howard is proud to be part of the LA Musica team, where he helped develop the Melodic Connections and Act-Move-Flow programs. He continues to facilitate groups and provide individualized sessions that nurture connection, communication, and confidence in every child.

Music Lessons and Music Therapy, Special Needs, Autism, Speech Delay, Glendale