Our Mission
The mission of SWFLMEC is to create a world-class music education center where neurodivergent students who have a strong interest in music and low to moderate support needs receive education in music and life skills, preparing them for meaningful growth opportunities that enrich their lives and the community as a whole.
Our Founder's Story
It was apparent since infancy that our beautiful daughter Amaya responded positively to music. From the sounds of rattles to Raffi to Bach, her eyes and hands danced. She was intrigued by dad playing piano and joined in alongside him as soon as she could.
Although Amaya struggled with health issues, her musical abilities blossomed twofold. She developed a strong ear and began taking piano and voice lessons. In middle school, Amaya eagerly participated in chorale, concerts, youth band and recitals. Music became her outlet, beloved friend and eventually her refuge. In high school, she worked diligently to create a demo CD under the direction of her piano teacher of ten years, Dr. Jeff Leigh. She also began playing at local restaurants, preschool chapel time and other venues.
We spent countless hours researching our options for Amaya’s future educational pathways. We visited the best music schools and post- secondary programs that accommodated neurodiverse students. Our search led us to Dr. Rhoda Bernard at The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) in Boston. They have the best of both worlds — an outstanding commitment to musical excellence and a desire to adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of their students.
Inspired by our visit, we founded the Southwest Florida Music Education Center in Naples in 2019. The first program, The Creative Group (an inclusion class) was launched that fall with four students under the direction of Dr. Jeff Leigh and with the in-kind support of space by Artis-Naples. COVID-related impacts created even more innovation and student participation grew.
A generous supporter then challenged us to build a world-class musical center. Thanks in large part to that individual, the Southwest Florida Music Center is now honored to partner with Berklee (BIAAE) to help make this dream a reality.
We are excited to see what the future holds, not only for our daughter but for other talented young adults who wish to pursue their musical dreams.
Sincerely,
Robert & Sandra Moher
The Need For Specialized Services
Who We Serve
- Include ages 18-30 with low to moderate support needs
- Demonstrates mostly independent self-care skills
-
Exhibit intermediate level or higher music skills,
as demonstrated on one or more instrument(s), including voice,
percussion, strings, guitar, piano/keyboard
Common diagnoses includes:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Learning Disability (LD)
- Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD)
- Anxiety-related disorders in the context of neurodiversity*
*Additional diagnoses may be considered through the application/enrollment process
Typical Student Profile:
- Students who enroll at the Southwest Florida Music Education Center (SWFLMEC) are passionate about music and driven to achieve excellence in their chosen musical performance areas. With a wide range of neurodiversity, all our students share an intrinsic love of music and a true willingness to learn.
- Our musicians are committed to personal growth. Some of our students approach the world with a sense of innocence and naivety. Working together with their peers and our highly qualified staff, students learn to tap into their gifts and develop a sense of independence that allows them to dream and build toward a bright future. Keys to success include experience working in a small group class setting and an ability to accept constructive feedback.
- SWFLMEC provides a culture of encouragement and the support students need to spread their wings, amplify their abilities and achieve great things. During their time with us, student musicians create meaningful relationships, develop an aptitude for self-advocacy, refine their music and performance prowess, acquire life and professional skills and realize their full potential.
Defining Neurodiversity
Merriam-Webster defines neurodiversity as:
neurodiversity (n) – (1) individual differences in brain functioning regarded as normal variations within the human population, (2) the concept that difference in brain functioning within the population are normal and that brain functioning that is not neurotypical should not be stigmatized, (3) the inclusion in a group, organization, etc. of people with different types of brain functioning.
