Music Therapy Staff
Amber Weldon-Stephens, EdS, LPMT, MT-BC |
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Department Head
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Contact: [email protected] |
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Amber graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music therapy from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in multiple and sensory disabilities from Georgia State University, and a specialist degree in special education administration from the University of West Georgia. She began the Music Therapy program in Fulton County thirty-six years ago. Weldon-Stephens has served as the President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia; President of the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association; and President of the American Music Therapy Association. She also works as an adjunct faculty member with the school of music at Kennesaw State University, the UGA Redcoat Band Summer Drum Major Camp, and the Southeastern Drum Major Clinic.
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McKayla Andersen, MA, Lpmt, Mt-bc
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Joe Bailey, MM, LPMT, MT-BC
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McKayla earned her Bachelor's in Music Therapy from the University of Alabama in 2024 after completing her music therapy internship in Fulton County Schools during the 2023-24 school year. Following her internship, McKayla earned her Master of Arts in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders) in 2026. She enjoys live music, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. This is her first year with Fulton County Schools.
Kirby Carruth, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC
Kirby graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy, and completed her Master's degree at Georgia College and State University. Her creativity and knowledge of current music is a gift to her students. She has served as government relations co-shair both nationally and regionally, and is a member of the Music Therapy Advisory board to the Georgia Secretary of State. She is Past-President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia (MTAG), and has worked with the Fulton County School system for twenty years. She loves to watch cooking shows, travel, and spend time with her family.
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Joe holds a Bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University and a Master's degree in Music Therapy from Illinois State University. He was the first male intern in our department. A drummer since the age of two, he's ambidextrous, has performed a six-mallet solo marimba recital, and enjoys jazz, baseball, jam sessions, and mentoring. Joe has been working with the Fulton County School system for sixteen years.
RACHEL COON-ARNOTT, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC
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Sophie Coffman, LPMT,
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Jessica Didelot, LPMT,
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Sophie graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy. "Go Dawgs! " She interned with Fulton County's Music Therapy Department during the '23-'24 academic school year. Outside of school, Sophie enjoys reading, taking her dog on walks, drawing, cooking, and writing songs. This is her third year with Fulton County Schools!
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Jessica Didelot received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Florida State University in 2013. During her time at FSU, she received her certifications in Special Education and Neonatal Intensive Care. Jessi completed training in Neurologic Music Therapy in 2017. Additionally, Jessi completed a Bachelor of Elementary Education and Special Education from Western Governors University in 2022. Jessi completed her internship with Fulton County Schools in 2013 and was a member of the music therapy department for 8 years. She has returned to FCS after teaching fourth/fifth grade and practicing as a music therapist in Nashville. Jessi previously served on the board for the state organization, Music Therapy Association of Georgia. Jessi plays guitar, ukulele, and piano as well as her primary instrument voice. In addition to spending time with her husband and two children, Jessi enjoys reading , embroidery, and hiking.
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Carlee durden, LPMT,
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NATALIE GENERALLY KIRK, MMED, LPMT, MT-BC 
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Carlee graduated with a Bachelor's from The University of Georgia in Music Therapy. She was an intern in the 2019-2020 year and was immediately hired onto our team for the 2020-2021 school year due to her outstanding work ethic, and creativity. During her classes, she enjoys exposing students to different genres of music, encouraging them to develop their own music preferences. Outside of school, Carlee is currently engaged and planning a wedding. This is her seventh year in Fulton County Schools.
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Natalie graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor’s degree, and from The University of Georgia with a Master’s in music education/therapy. She's an innovative applier of technology to Music Therapy, and a skilled community organizer. She is Past President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia (MTAG). Natalie has been working for the Fulton County School system for twenty-two years.
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Reece Jennings, LPMT,
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Stephanie Guest, LPMT,
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Reece graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelors degree in Music Education and an Equivalency of Music Therapy. After completing his Music Therapy internship with Fulton County Schools in 2028, Reece then worked for the next 4 years in private practice. He enjoys introducing students to new instruments and encouraging growth through improvisation and instrument-play. An active performer, he plays trombone in multiple ensembles in the metro-Atlanta area, and enjoys cooking and playing with his dogs. This is his fifth year with Fulton County Schools.
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Stephanie graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy. She is active in church and community activities, and brings a deep knowledge of structure and flow to her Music Therapy sessions. Before working for FCS, she served older adults and taught private lessons. Stephanie has been working for the Fulton County School system for twenty-seven years.
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Kendall Hanson, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC
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Maddie Hellemn, bcba, lpmt, mt-bc |
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Kendall graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music (General) and a Psychology minor. She then attended Appalachian State University where she completed her Music Therapy Equivalency and earned a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. Kendall interned with Fulton County’s Music Therapy Department from 2022-2023. This is her third year working professionally for the Fulton County School system. She enjoys painting, hammocking, and watching movies!
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Maddie Hellemn earned her bachelors in Music Therapy from the University of Georgia and completed her internship with FCS during the '22-'23 school year. She returned to UGA for her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on special education, becoming a board certified behavior analyst. In her free time Maddie loves reading, doing yoga and playing with her dog, Rocky. Maddie is excited to be back with the Fulton County Music Therapy team. This is her second year working for the Fulton County School system.
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Brianna Henderson, MM, LPMT, MT-BC |
Roy Joyner, MM, LPMT,
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Brianna graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy. She completed her internship with Fulton County Schools in 2014-2015. Outside of music, Bri loves to read, travel, and cook. She recently graduated from Colorado State University with her Master's degree in Music. This is her eleventh year with Fulton County Schools.
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Roy earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Therapy from Florida State University and later completed a certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia. An accomplished bassist, he brings a collaborative, data-informed approach to supporting student growth and success.
Roy has presented on Music Therapy at numerous conferences, including the World Congress of Music Therapy, Southeastern Regional Conferences, the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, and the Woodruff Arts Center Educator Conference. He is a two-time President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia and has served on the executive board of the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association. Now in his twenty-ninth year with Fulton County Schools, Roy remains committed to evidence-based practice, collaboration, and student success. |
Marsha Lane, MMT, MED, LPMT, MT-BC
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Harry Lester, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC
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Marsha graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in education, and from Southern Methodist University with a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. She loves outdoor adventure, and has considerable experience working in psychiatric settings. Marsha has been working for the Fulton County School system for thirty-three years.
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Harry graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy, and holds a Master's from Georgia College & State University. Like Marsha, he has worked extensively in the psychiatric setting, has a large fund of knowledge of music, and is an active, highly proficient and expressive performer/singer-songwriter. Harry has been working with the Fulton County School system for eighteen years.
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Shannon O'Donnell, LPMT, MT-BC |
Zoe Reddick, mmt, LPMT,
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Shannon graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and completed her internship with Fulton County Schools during the '21-'22 school year. During her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, cuddling with her cat, Mori, going on walks and baking. This will be her fourth year with Fulton County Schools.
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Zoe graduated with her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from Reinhardt University. From there she went to Georgia College & State University to get her Master's degree in Music Therapy. Zoe was an intern in '22-'23 at Fulton County Schools where she found her love for Music Therapy in the public-school setting. She loves supporting students achieve academic goals through the use of music. This is her fourth year with Fulton County Schools.
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shreya Visvanathan, Lpmt, Mt-bc
Shreya, from Orlando, graduated from UGA with a bachelors in Music Therapy. She enjoys songwriting for sessions and has the most fun during movement activities in music. Shreya stays involved in her Indian classical dance community. She loves being involved in her dance studio’s productions. This is her seventh year with Fulton County Schools.
