Lauren Kurt has a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Utah and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Northern Iowa, with an emphasis in American Sign Language. This is her fifth year with Elizabeth Academy. She works with children receiving Early Intervention and Integrated Services, from Toddler through Upper Elementary.
*Private Speech Therapy Available
Shanone received her Master of Science degree in Speech & Language Pathology as well as her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Language Pathology and Audiology from Idaho State University. She has over 30 years of experience providing speech and language therapy in all areas of communication to children from preschool to high school in a variety of educational settings.
*Private Speech Therapy Available
Taylor received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Florida in 2018 and her Bachelor of Health Science in Rehabilitation Science from Armstrong State University in 2014. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. Taylor has experience in hospital-based outpatient pediatric physical therapy as well as with private and charter school-based pediatric physical therapy. She has worked with individuals from ages birth to 21 years with various neurological, developmental, and orthopedic diagnoses.
Taylor loves gardening, playing volleyball, and spending time with her husband, Tyler, and her cat and dogs. She loves to see students exceed their own expectations.
*Private Physical Therapy Available
Rachel Kucera, SCMT, MT-BC, is a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she completed a Bachelors of Music Education with Music Therapy degree. She completed her music therapy internship at Primary Children’s Hospital and has worked with a variety of populations including students who have Autism, Deaf Blind students, students with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as infants and toddlers on early development. Rachel’s passion is integrating music therapy into the school setting. She also teaches piano, guitar, and ukulele to members of the community.
Rachel loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. Rachel also enjoys hiking adventures, kayaking, and absolutely loves dogs!
* Private Music Therapy Available
Melou is currently the Director of Music Therapy at EA. Melou is a nationally Board Certified music therapist as well as State Certified Music Therapist. She received her Master of Arts degree at University of the Pacific in Stockton, University. Her Masters emphasis is in Psychology-Family Systems. Melou is a member of the Utah Music Therapy Association and the American Association of Music Therapy.
Melou has been serving her community as a Music Therapist for twenty years. Melou is a Trauma-Informed Music Therapist. In 2013-2014, she was sponsored by the Attorney General’s office and Primary Children’s Hospital, to become trained as a Traumatic Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapist credentialed TF-CBT. Melou has her NICU-MT, a national certification to practice Music Therapy in the NICU. Melou also is a Neurologic Music Therapist, NMT, having completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy. Melou has worked with both adults and children with emotional, mental and physical disabilities. She has contracted her services at hospitals, assisted care facilities and schools as well as with individual patients. Melou currently maintains a private Music Therapy practice.
At Elizabeth Academy, Melou assesses individuals to create treatment plans with specific objectives. She takes data on student response and evaluates and documents progress. Melou works as a member of the school interdisciplinary team.
In addition to her Music Therapy practice, Melou is an American classical singer, composer and pianist. She has performed in world class venues such as Notre-dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and Canterbury Cathedral. She soloed throughout Brazil as well as soloing with the Utah Chamber Artists in London, France, (2008) Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic (2014). Melou has been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir since 2014. She recently returned in July 2016, from a 19 day European tour with the choir performing throughout central Europe.
As a singer-songwriter, Melou has produced, written, arranged and performed on four of her own music albums. They are “Creio am Cristo,” “The Gift of Time,” “The Sleep of the Child Jesus” and “ A Celebration of Life.” Melou writes and performs music for community events and arts organizations in Utah. Melou has written an operetta for children called “The Magic Heart” based on a book by the same name.
* Private Music Therapy Available
Lauren received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. She has her certification in Ayres Sensory Integration through USC and is certified Advanced in DIR Floortime. Additionally, she has spent the last 3 years gaining extensive knowledge as a sensory based, feeding therapist. Lauren is joining the Elizabeth Academy team as an occupational therapist with over 5 years of experience. Lauren is passionate about providing neurodiverse, affirming care that supports sensory processing, play, learning, and development. Lauren is thrilled to be able to support children in their educational development, improve parents’ understanding of the child’s sensory preferences and support their regulation from the classroom to daily life.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys skiing, hiking, hanging out with her dogs and DIY home projects with her husband.
*Private Speech Therapy Available
