Music Academy

ALL-DAY PROGRAM FOR 18+

Lifelong Music Appreciation

STARability Foundation’s Music Academy creates a safe and nurturing environment that supports participants in exploring and developing musical interests and skills while cultivating a deeper appreciation for all aspects of music. STARability’s Music Academy enhances access to music education for those with low to moderate support needs. It creates an invaluable space to shift both community and personal attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about each participant’s ability to benefit from and participate in music education.

Looking for Weekly Music Classes Instead?

Check Out Our Music Explorers Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Music Exploration, Appreciation and Skill Development
Performance and Communication Skills
Community Engagement
Socialization
Independence
Confidence

Charting a Path for Inclusion

STARability’s Music Academy is the only music development program of its kind in the State of Florida. It was originally established as the Southwest Florida Music Education Center before merging with STARability in the Spring of 2024. The unique program is designed for neurodiverse adults with an interest in music to engage in life-changing individualized music education. These opportunities create a self-directed pathway toward social integration and a purposeful life with access to meaningful social, educational, vocational, and leisure benefits. STARability’s Music Academy’s success is based on the collaboration between participants, families, and instructors to create an Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) for each participant.

Specialization

STARability’s Music Academy has experienced music instructors who have formal education and performance experience in various areas of music. In addition to training in behavioral and educational strategies, they also have all received specialized training in teaching music to individuals with special needs. Music Academy staff and participants receive support from STARability’s Music Program Director, Lisa Barnett MT-BC, a Board-Certified Music Therapist and STARability’s Independent Music Academy Consultant, Dr. Teresa Herrero Taylor, who is a Licensed Psychologist, a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a social skills instructional expert with extensive experience overseeing the specialized inclusion programs of individuals with special needs.

Impact

STARability’s Music Academy is dedicated to achieving measurable outcomes. It has developed its own assessment process to determine individual participant growth in selected music skill areas. STARability showcases the profound transformative potential of our program through careful result measurement, illustrating individual participant growth and our potentially life-transforming impact.