Jaime L. Alspach, MT-BC
Neurologic Music Therapist
Co-Director

After growing up in North Olmsted, Ohio, Jaime received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy, from Ohio University. There she studied flute and piano and was active in Sigma Alpha Iota. Her clinical internship was completed at Capital District Beginnings in Troy, New York where she worked with Preschool and School-Aged children with a variety of disabilities in homes and schools. Jaime’s main interest is in providing Music Therapy (MT) services to children on the Autism Spectrum. Jaime’s primary responsibilities with MTEC include direct treatment with clients, overseeing client paperwork, and business accounting. She presents frequently to parent support groups, paraprofessionals, and professionals about MT and autism. She speaks often on how to incorporate MT into the home and schools to create opportunities for communication and growth. Jaime devotes much of her time towards advocating for music therapy as a related service on an IEP. It is for this reason why she is so passionate about the accuracy of progress reporting. Jaime shares her love of the outdoors with husband, Tom Alspach, a Software Engineer for Aurelian Corporation, children Ashley and Matthew, and their 10 year old puppy! She is also actively involved with her local Relay for Life, and is dedicated to raising money for the American Cancer Society in honor of her family who has been deeply affected by cancer.

You can contact Jaime directly at (440) 250-0091 ext. 2

Alane J. Krumbine, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Co-Director

Before co-founding MTEC, this Chicago area native moved to Athens, Ohio to enroll in the music therapy program at Ohio University. It was there, with horn as her primary instrument, that she completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy. Alane’s clinical internship took place at SDTC: The Center for Discovery in Harris, New York. There she worked with children and adults with multiple disabilities. Aside from her own caseload of clients, Alane’s primary responsibilities include overseeing caseloads of all staff, assessing new clients, marketing and public relations. Alane presents frequently for different professional organizations in the hopes of educating and drawing awareness towards the benefits of music therapy. Her interests include children with auditory processing disorders, language delays and individuals on the Autism Spectrum. She is also an authorized provider of The Listening Program (TLP), a Music-Based Auditory Stimulation ™ method used to stimulate brain function. It was Alane’s enthusiasm for the field that brought her to serve as the Vice President of the Association of Ohio Music Therapists from 2008-2010. She is married to Keith Krumbine, a Database and Compliance Engineer with Hyland Software, and together they have two wonderful daughters, Anya and Keira. When she is not working, Alane reconnects through friends, running and traveling.

You can contact Alane directly at (440) 250-0091 ext. 1

Kara Phipps, MT-BC
Music Therapist and Music Educator

Kara Phipps graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s of Music Education: Music Therapy, as well as her Bachelor’s of Music Education: Public School Teaching from the College of Wooster. At Wooster, Kara received the Pi Kappa Lambda prize in music. Kara has been a flute soloist with the Canton Symphony and as well as a piano soloist with the Wooster Symphony Chamber Orchestra. She has been teaching piano and flute privately for 5 years and has experience with students of all abilities, ages 6-months to adult. Before the Music Therapy Enrichment Center, Kara especially enjoyed working as the Music and Movement Instructor for ACE: Activities Created for Enrichment with participants with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, ages 5-22, in Roanoke, Virginia. In the fall of 2008, Kara completed her student teaching in Wooster where she worked with general music K-6 and 7th and 8th grade band. Kara’s clinical music therapy internship was at the Fraser School in Minneapolis, a preschool for children with disabilities and typically developing children.

Sarah Tobias, MT-BC
Neurologic Music Therapist

Sarah Tobias is a music therapist earning her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University where she was awarded the Undergraduate Achievement Award in Music Therapy in 2009. She is a member of Robert F. Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), completing the NMT training in October 2009. Sarah also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Sarah has the most experience working with children with autism but enjoys using music in creative and innovative ways to help all ages and abilities. In the future, Sarah is interested in doing research and pursuing an advanced degree in music therapy. In her free time, Sarah enjoys singing with area choruses, getting coffee with friends, exploring the metroparks, and playing with her two cocker spaniels.

Erin Shoemaker, MT-BC
Music Therapist

Erin Shoemaker recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. While there, she minored in Psychology and studied her principal instrument, voice. She completed her clinical internship at Lincoln Park Public Schools outside of Detroit, Michigan. There she was able to work with a diverse population of students of all ages and diagnoses. Immediately after graduating, Erin was hired as one of the Music Therapists at The Autism Collaborative Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Being a native of North Olmsted, she is excited to have returned to serve the community! When she is not working, Erin likes to spend time at Lake Erie and perform around the greater Cleveland Area at various theatrical venues.

James Chance
Music Instructor (Piano/Guitar/Theory)

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, James Chance joined MTEC in 2010. With musical training that dates back to his first piano lesson 1991, James has been deeply involved in music ever since. His musical journey continued with leading worship teams on piano and guitar for churches, singing in choirs, playing first chair trumpet, and then collegiate studies at Broward County Community College (BCC) as a jazz guitar performance major. James received a scholarship for his duties as guitarist in the BCC Jazz Combo and BCC Big Band. He also performed in the Hollywood Jazz festival in 2005. Later in 2005, James relocated to northeast Ohio due to damage caused by Hurricane Wilma. He is currently a music composition major studying voice, piano, and composition under the direction of Dr. Gerald Evans at Lorain County Community College. James plans to someday be a composer/orchestra conductor.

You can contact James directly at (440) 250-0091 ext. 3