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, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Social Media Coordinator
Mikayla Tupek, MT-BC earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and minor in Neuroscience from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mikayla completed her internship with Palmetto Music Therapy Services in October 2023, and has worked with the agency ever since.
Throughout her internship and in continuing with Palmetto Music Therapy Services, Mikayla has gained experience providing music therapy to a number of settings, including schools, nursing homes and long-term care, memory care, special education, early childhood intervention programs and daycare centers, adult day care centers, and home-based services. She is familiar with working with clients with an array of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, ADHD, intellectual disability, developmental delay, ADD, ODD and other behavioral diagnoses, dual-diagnosis, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In addition to music therapy, Mikayla is a fully-accredited certified Kindermusik instructor, and teaches private lessons on piano, ukulele, and guitar. She feels incredibly grateful to have the chance to connect with so many people through music, and have the opportunity to give back to a community that has developed her into the music therapist she is today.
Mikayla is thrilled to continue working with Palmetto Music Therapy Services, bringing her love of music and the individual experience into the lives of her clients, and to be a part of such an exceptional community!