Meet Our Team

Kirby (she/her) is the Founder and Owner of PlainSong Music Services. What began in 2016 as a one-person endeavor has grown into a thriving, multi-site clinic serving more than 1,000 individuals weekly with a dedicated team of over 15 professionals. Under Kirby’s leadership, PlainSong has become known for clinical excellence, innovative programming, and a deep commitment to expanding access to high-quality music therapy services.

A Board-Certified Music Therapist and President-Elect of the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association, Kirby brings both clinical expertise and strategic leadership to her work. She is passionate about strengthening the profession through advocacy, business development, and systems-level change—working to ensure music therapy is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an essential service.

Kirby has received multiple honors for leadership and entrepreneurship, including the St. Mary-of-the-Woods Graduate Alumni Leadership Award, Madison County’s “20 Under 40,” and the 2025 Flagship Enterprise Center Pitch Night Award.

At the heart of her work is a belief that leadership is about building people. Whether supporting clients, mentoring clinicians, or developing emerging leaders, Kirby is committed to cultivating growth, resilience, and innovation that creates lasting impact across communities

Steven received his BSN from Indiana University and has an extensive background in the medical field. He has worked in multiple medical settings including EMS, ICU, home health care, and medical education and compliance. He comes to PlainSong as a health care advocate working to aid families with resources, and also works with therapists to ensure medical compliance and high quality client care. In addition to his vast medical knowledge, Steven brings unique talents to PlainSong as he works to build new instruments and music therapy tools with the collaboration of music therapists to better individualize therapy for clients. He enjoys spending time with his family, carpentry, and learning new skills outside of work. 

Sarah (she/her) is a native of Anderson, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Louisville and completed her clinical internship at Bi-County Services in Bluffton, Indiana.

Sarah provides clinical supervision and mentorship to students across all levels of training, including high school students exploring the profession, practicum students, and interns completing their clinical requirements. She is committed to delivering individualized supervision and thoughtfully designed learning experiences that cultivate clinical competence, professionalism, and confidence in emerging music therapists.

With more than 15 years of experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Sarah brings extensive clinical expertise and a deep commitment to person-centered care. She is passionate about the therapeutic impact of music and believes in its accessibility as a meaningful, lifelong resource for individuals of all abilities.

Sarah resides in Anderson with her husband, Chris, and their children, Caroline and Jackson

Stephanie (she/her) serves as Director of Professional Development at PlainSong Music Services, where she leads clinical supervision, and develops continuing education programming that supports growth, excellence, and ethical practice among clinicians. As a Board-Certified Music Therapist, Stephanie brings over eight years of experience serving diverse populations across a wide range of settings, supporting individuals from infancy through older adulthood.

Stephanie holds degrees in music therapy and voice performance and is a certified professional coach. She is deeply committed to integrative, whole-person care and incorporates a variety of modalities into her work. Her additional certifications include mindfulness meditation and children’s yoga, and she is currently pursuing certification in somatic therapy to further expand her clinical depth.

Grounded in the belief that every person is naturally creative, worthy of being championed, and capable of empowered choice, Stephanie approaches leadership and professional development with encouragement, collaboration, and vision.

Outside of her professional role, she treasures being a mom, loves her poodles, and nurtures her love of lifelong learning

Payton 

Trisha started in 2021 as PlainSong's part-time office coordinator. She ensures that anyone interested in services is taken care of, and she sets up new services for clients. Trisha also makes sure that things are running smoothly for the practice: taking care of schedules, social media projects, and more! While Trisha started working for Plainsong in 2021, she has been involved with PlainSong from its conception in 2016 when her daughter began taking guitar lessons.  Trisha is a full time preschool teacher at Southview Preschool in Anderson. 

Betheney Ellcessor (sher/her) is a music therapist and music teacher at PlainSong Music Services, predominantly working with youth ages 1–21 and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With experience as a public school music teacher, certified nursing assistant (CNA), and music therapist, she guides those in her care in individual, group, and school-based settings. She holds degrees from Ball State University and credentials from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and Ivy Tech Community College. Betheney is passionate about supporting individuals and families as they grow through music, play, and a person-centered approach. She strives to work alongside parents and teachers to create a community where everyone can thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting Indiana’s state parks and spending time with her family and dog

Collin was born and raised in Fishers, IN. He received his bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Dayton and completed his internship at Opportunities For Positive Growth in Fishers, IN. His musical journey began with the trumpet and led up to four years of performing in Drum Corps International with the Crossmen and Blue Stars. Collin’s passion for music therapy grew from his involvement in the marching arts, inspiring him to give back to an activity that has given him so much through the power of music.

Collin has experience working with a wide range of populations, including intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health, school settings, and assisted living facilities. He takes a person-centered, holistic approach to therapy and believes that each person possesses the capacity for growth as he is there to support, guide, and empower throughout the therapeutic process. Collin is dedicated to fostering client autonomy and ownership within the music therapy space, helping people shape meaningful experiences and outcomes through music. Outside of music therapy, Collin is a roller coaster enthusiast who loves traveling to new places and spending time with family and friends!

Jaylee Sowders (she/they) is a Board-Certified Music Therapist at PlainSong Music Services, specializing in trauma care, adolescent and adult mental health, and culturally-centered, neuro-affirming music therapy. With years of combined clinical and research experience, she has developed and presented original research on music therapy treatment for adolescents with attachment trauma, integrating work from her honors thesis and supplemental research conducted abroad at the University of Oxford. Jaylee earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Dayton and completed her clinical internship at University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. She is passionate about promoting equity, accessibility, and cultural humility in her work, and strives to empower clients and families by fostering collaborative, autonomy-supportive therapeutic environments. Outside of work, Jaylee enjoys reading, playing video games, and exploring the outdoors with her goldendoodle, Myla

Dakota Maurer (she/they)  is a Music Therapist at PlainSong Music Services, with an interest in mental health. Dakota has over 8 years of experience working in mental health and with the Developmental Disability population, working in many different settings. She holds a Bachelors in Music Therapy and Psychology from Western Michigan University and is passionate about disability rights. Outside of work, Dakota enjoys cooking and exploring new outdoor spaces with her dog, Hugo.

Kieryn (she/her) was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kieryn first found her love for music at the age of 8,
when she began to learn the viola and violin. Kieryn attended Butler University and earned a bachelor's
degree in Viola Performance in 2017. Next, Kieryn began her journey towards becoming a board-certified music therapist and earned her Music Therapy Equivalency certificate at Saint Mary of the Woods College in July 2022. Kieryn served as an intern with Dynamic Music Services in Indianapolis, Indiana from January-July 2022 and earned her board certification in August 2022. Kieryn joined the Dynamic Music Services team in August 2022 and remained until July 2023. After purchasing a home in Anderson, Indiana, Kieryn joined the PlainSong Music Services team in August of 2023.

Kieryn has experience working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors, memory care, hospice, and young adults with a mental health focus. Kieryn takes pride in providing a humanistic approach to her music therapy sessions and strives to create adaptable musical spaces that support her clients' needs from moment to moment. Kieryn also continues her passion with viola and violin by including these instruments within her music therapy sessions in a variety of ways as well as offering lessons.

Lauren Nielson is a Music Therapist, Board Certified at Plainsong Music Services specializing in preteens, teens, and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Diagnoses. With one year of experience, she successfully built new community outreach programs supporting families as they navigate the complexities of life. She holds a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and is passionate about integrating cognitive and somatic techniques for highly integrated music therapy care. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys birdwatching: birds of prey in nature and her own parakeets at home, Bubble and Houdini

Payton is a board certified music therapist with 7 years of experience. Payton has worked with all ages including small children as young as two years old, older adults, and everyone in between. Payton is passionate about meeting people where they are and has a humanistic approach to her music therapy practice. Payton has a degree in music from Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in Music Therapy and Vocal Performance. Outside of work, Payton enjoys spending time with her two boys and her family.

Meira Oldham is a board-certified music therapist with PlainSong Music Services. With over 2 years of professional experience, she has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, at-risk youth, older adults with dementia, and more. Meira believes in providing every individual she works with the opportunity to express themselves, make steps toward growth in their personalized goals, and to identify their inherent value as a person. Outside of work, Meira enjoys crocheting and spending time with her family.

Tegan is a board-certified music therapist at PlainSong Music Services who incorporates elements of her former journalism career and training at Cleveland State University into her clinical practice. Following her internship at the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System, Tegan now uses a humanistic lens to help clients reach their individualized goals. She has experience working with a broad range of clients, including children, adults, seniors and veterans with developmental and intellectual disability, memory care, hospice care, acute and chronic medical, behavioral health, and mental health needs. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with tea, books, Legos, and her sassy tortie, Bella, and hitting the road to discover quirky attractions, quaint coffeeshops, and natural wonders.

Melissa is a board-certified music therapist at PlainSong Music Services, with a specialization in Neurologic Music Therapy. With 2 years of clinical experience, she is passionate about cultivating and celebrating connections with her clientele. Melissa successfully completed the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy Institute Training to earn a Neurologic Music Therapy credential in addition to her CBMT credential and Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys watching baseball with her husband Luke, playing with her labrador retriever Phoebe, and practicing creative outlets. 

We are currently seeking the next MT-BC to join our team! Our diverse caseload and exciting career opportunities may be exactly what you're looking for! Learn more by visiting our Careers page. We hope to hear from you soon!