MCS Music Therapy

Before transitioning to private practice full-time, Marianela spent six years as a Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) and Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT), working closely with hospice patients. Her work focused on enhancing the quality of life for individuals during their end-of-life journey, using music as a powerful tool for comfort, expression, and connection.

She holds a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. In addition to her clinical work, Marianela frequently shares her knowledge at national and international conferences and music therapy events. Most recently, she contributed a chapter titled "Cultural Considerations for Providing Hospice Music Therapy for Hispanic/Latino Patients" to the book Music Therapy at the End of Life (2nd Ed.), co-edited by Cheryl Dileo and Mariagrazia Baroni. 

Monica began studying the flute at the age of 9, a journey that led her to earn a Bachelor of Music from the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. She has over 20 years of experience in music education across Cuba, Portugal, and Spain, where she also developed and led an early childhood music and family program for children ages 0-3, supporting early development and strengthening family bonds. After moving to the United States, she became a Florida K-12 certified music teacher and later completed her Master’s Degree in Music Therapy at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Spain. Guided by a humanistic approach, Monica emphasizes well-being, joy, and self-expression, creating experiences that inspire children to connect, express themselves, and grow.

She believes that music is a powerful tool that can be used to support people all throughout life. Her clinical training included work with children with special needs as well as hospitalized children and adults. She also holds her M.A. in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University and B.A. in music theory and history from the University of Notre Dame. 

Alison was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo and received her Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. She completed her internship at Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC before moving to South Florida to work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Alison has experience working with primarily children in a medical setting, included in a hospital and in the facilities. In her spare time, Alison enjoys reading, going for walks, and being outside.