About Us
Palmetto Music Therapy Services has been providing high quality Music Therapy services in the greater Charleston, SC area for over 25 years. Our mission is to use therapeutic musical techniques to improve the quality of life for each individual we work with, to create opportunities for each individual’s success, to make a positive difference in each individual’s life, and to help each individual gain their highest potential.
At Palmetto Music Therapy Services, we offer individual services, group services, adapted music lessons, consultations, workshops, in-services, and presentations. To learn more about what we can offer you or your company, email Palmetto's founder, Kim, at Kim.palmettomusictherapy@gmail.com
Therapists
Kim Embler, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Founder and Owner
Program Coordinator
Kim Embler, MT-BC has over 30 years of experience as a board certified Music Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy from Charleston Southern University and has since worked in the Charleston area.
Kim has vast experience with a wide variety of clientele, including autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, speech/language/hearing impairments and disabilities, visual impairments, physical disabilities and rehab, ADD/ADHD, psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, older adults, dementia, dual diagnosis, children/adolescent residential treatment, and early intervention.
Kim founded Palmetto Music Therapy Services over 25 years ago and has immensely enjoyed the opportunities she's had to serve the Charleston area providing individual and group music therapy services.
Kim is so grateful for the clients and families she has worked with throughout her career and feels especially blessed to be able to connect with her clients through music to aid them in their life's journey and encourage their success.
She is committed to the agency providing exemplary Music Therapy services to the greater Charleston community.
Emily Caron, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Administrative Assistant
Internship Supervisor
Emily Caron, MT-BC earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Emily completed her internship at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in Colorado Springs, CO in June 2021.
Before coming to Palmetto Music Therapy Services, Emily worked at an inpatient psychiatric facility. There she treated patients with mental health diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety (GAD, Panic Disorder), Bipolar I & II, Schizophrenia (Paranoid, disorganized, undifferentiated, catatonic), Schizoaffective disorder, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, as well as patients who suffer from addiction (substance abuse, alcohol abuse).
Additionally, Emily has experience working with clients with an array of diagnoses such as Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder), Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual & developmental disorders, and had the chance to work with Deaf children and the visually impaired.
She is more than excited to give back to the community she was raised in, as well as pursue her passion for working with children and adults with disabilities through her love of music at Palmetto Music Therapy Services!
Riley Conklin, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Administrative Assistant
Internship Coordinator and Supervisor
Riley Conklin, MT-BC earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Riley completed her internship at Trident Medical Center and Palmetto Music Therapy Services in November 2017. She has worked with Palmetto Music Therapy Services ever since, working with the full life span in many settings, including schools, individual’s homes, nursing homes, and life skills programs.
Riley has a wide variety of experience with diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, intellectual disability, developmental delay, ADD, ODD, dementia, NICU patients, and hospice care. While working as a Music Therapist, Riley also became Kindermusik certified to assist her skills in working with children ages 0-7 years old. She is an instructor and Administrative Assistant with Kindermusik of Charleston as of 2017. Additionally, she teaches private piano students and sings professionally, performing at various venues in the Charleston area.
She brings her love of music, commitment to the community, and a desire to enhance the lives of her students and clients to Palmetto Music Therapy Services with great joy and enthusiasm!
Wimberly Giardina, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Internship Supervisor
Wimberly Giardina, MT-BC received her degree in Music Therapy and Vocal Performance at the University of Alabama in 2007. She completed her internship at Hand in Hand Early Learning program with the United Cerebral Palsy foundation in Birmingham, AL. After her internship, she began working with Palmetto Music Therapy Services and worked with Kim Embler until 2011 until she was relocated out of town due to her husband’s football career. During her years with Palmetto Music Therapy Services she serviced a variety of individuals and groups in schools, homes, and geriatric facilities.
Wimberly has worked with a variety of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, ADD, ODD, dementia, Cerebral Palsy, and hospice care. Recently, she has moved back to the Charleston area and is looking forward to being back with the Palmetto Music Therapy team. Wimberly now brings with her the experience of owning her own private Music Therapy practice in Southwest Georgia and is excited to bring further experience to her clients here in the Lowcountry with Palmetto Music Therapy. When she is not working with clients she is cheering on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers where her husband coaches football. Wimberly, her husband Gabe, and their three boys reside in the Hanahan area.
Lauren Houston, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Webmaster
Internship Supervisor
Lauren Houston MT-BC earned her Bachelor of Music in Clinical Music Therapy and minor in Clinical Psychology from the Petrie School of Music at Converse College. She completed her internship in the St.John's County School System and Rivergarden Senior Services in Jacksonville, FL, before earning her board certification and returning home to Charleston in 2019.
Lauren has been working with Palmetto Music Therapy Services since September of 2019, providing services in a variety of settings, including special education, longterm care, memory care, early childhood, speech and language programs, adult day programs, home based services for individuals, and for diagnoses like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, dementia, Cerebral Palsy, and a variety of others diagnoses for clients aged 0-100+.
Lauren considers herself to be a "humanistic" or "client-centered" therapist, often working with multiple modalities to customize the best therapeutic fit for each individual's needs.
In addition to music therapy, Lauren is a certified Kindermusik instructor and teaches private piano, ukulele, and guitar lessons on the side.
Mikayla Tupek
Music Therapist
Social Media Coordinator
Mikayla was born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, and developed an appreciation and involvement with music at a very early age. Her formal music training began in middle school on the flute, piccolo, and alto saxophone, and was a member of the top ensembles throughout her middle and high school years.
Growing up, Mikayla performed in her church and volunteered with the local art museum over the summers with children ages five to sixteen. These opportunities showed her how her love of music can reach and help people, leading her to consider music therapy as a career.
In 2018, Mikayla began working towards a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Neuroscience from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. During her time at Mercyhurst University, Mikayla was a member of large and small ensembles, and had the opportunity to represent the music department during showcase performances.
This past fall, Mikayla had the opportunity to work with a special needs group through the museum and share her love of music with them.
Mikayla is eager to increase her knowledge as a music therapy intern, and she is thankful for the opportunity to intern with Palmetto Music Therapy Services.
Mikayla was hired by Palmetto as a professional music therapist after the completion of her internship in October of 2023. We're so happy Miss Mikayla is sticking around!
Contact Us
Palmetto Music Therapy Services, LLC
365 Stringer Alley, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464
Tel: (843) 906-2543