Our Story

Welcome to our family photo album! We thought you might enjoy reading a little about how The Music Therapy Center of California was started (in the backs of our cars) and the journey we have traveled on to become the leader of providing neurologic music therapy and music lessons for youth with special needs in the San Diego area.

2003
In the fall of 2003, we discovered that both of us (Julie and Angela) had a similar vision ~ to bring high quality music therapy services to children and older adults in the greater San Diego area. We each had already been directing successful sole proprietorships but knew that we could provide more services to the community by integrating our strengths and assets. Therefore, we joined forces and The Music Therapy Center of California (MTCCA) was born.

2004
On February 6, 2004, we hosted an open house to launch our new business at our North Park location at the Avalon Art Gallery. Clients, friends, and family were in attendance to celebrate.

2005
We team up with a local speech and language pathology clinic to release the In Harmony program. Shop Now!

2006
We provide entertainment for what eventually becomes the Autism Speaks Walk at Coors Ampitheather in Chula Vista with the In Harmony Band and Reid Moriarty.

2008
The Kingsmen, our first, teenage rock band is formed and does their first performance at Borders coffeehouse in Mission Valley. In addition, we team up with video producers, parents and other autism specialists to release Kibbles Rockin’ Clubhouse DVD series. Shop Now!

2009

Frustrated with the lack of funding sources available to help families access music therapy, Angela and Julie teamed up with Andrea Moriarty (parent of a son with autism and author) to create a solution. In 2009 they founded Banding Together,  a 501(c)3, whose mission is to provide music therapy opportunities for youth with special needs, such as autism and Down syndrome. For more information on Banding Together programs and scholarships, please click here: www.bandingtogethersd.org

2010
MTCCA opens two new independent offices, one in Mission Valley and one in Encinitas.

2012
MTCCA launches our AMTA Internship Program.

2014
Songbirds early intervention program launches in both offices

2015
In January 2015, MTCCA hosted a special 10 year anniversary at 98 bottles and many past and present clients were in attendance, including many who had been at our opening back in 2004.

Angela & Julie receive the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory: 2015 Profiles in Music Education Award California Legislature Assembly Resolution (Members Resolution No. 2183, Marie Waldron, 75th Assembly District).