Music Therapy St. Pete is proud to work as a small team to best provide the highest-quality care across the greater Saint Petersburg area. Our team is composed of some amazing therapists with specific training, diverse clinical experiences, American Music Therapy Association membership, credentials of Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC). Say hello to James, Carly Jewel, and Sarah!
James Riley, MM, MT-BC. Program director. James was born and raised in Key West, Florida, where he taught piano and guitar to underprivileged children through the Bahama Village Music Program. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Music (MM) in music therapy from the Florida State University, where he met his wife, Katy. James worked in many mental health settings before accepting a full-time teaching position at FSU. In 2015, Katy and James moved to St. Pete; she is an RN in the MedSurg ICU at Tampa General Hospital and he is the founder, program director, and internship supervisor of MTSP.
Carly Jewel Green, MT-BC, NICU-MT. Music therapist. Carly Jewel received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from FSU and completed her internship with Music Sweet Music and Music Therapy St. Pete. She has an extensive background in diverse clinical settings, and a passion for working with children and older adults. Born and raised in the greater Saint Petersburg area, she loves traveling, going to the beach or downtown St. Pete, and spending time with family and friends. She is also a member of The Second Time Arounders Marching Band, a band for those that performed in a high school, college, or the military and wish to do it again!
Sarah Michaels, MT-BC, NICU-MT. Music therapist. Sarah was born and raised in a little town in the Tampa Bay area called Seminole. Sarah was a part of the Seminole High School Warhawks Marching band throughout high school and soon went on to attend Florida State University, where she earned her Bachelors of Music in music therapy. Sarah currently works with Music Therapy St. Pete and St. Anthony’s Hospital as the music therapist. She lives with her family and cocker spaniel, Westley, in Seminole.
We're excited for this fall when we will welcome new music therapy interns to our team through MTSP's internship program! And of course, we also love collaborating with other therapists and healthcare professionals, so thank you for everyone who supports our co-treats, supports our services, or makes a referral for music therapy! Each and every one of you is an important part of this team, too.
This post introduces our team to the MTSP blog, but the same biographies will remain available from our main menu. And finally, we are incredibly grateful of Shannon Gazdacka for these beautiful photos! Shannon is very professional, personable, and all around great to work with. Her amazing photography and videography speaks for itself. She shot and finished our business headshots, but she is also available for documentaries, weddings, promos, or other events.