We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandy Golias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandy below.

Alright, Sandy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I was 50 years old when I decided to change careers. I was a music teacher for 15+ years and instructed all age groups; from Kindergarteners to seniors in high school. I directed major musical productions and absolutely loved my job. I began to feel restless, however, and more so, I wanted to bring music to everyone; not just those who signed up for my classes. I enrolled in a university in Ohio and began taking evening and Saturday classes to become a music therapist. One course required us to come up with a business and create a name. I knew I wanted to end up in the state of Colorado, so I coined the name “Mountain Music Therapy Services,” never dreaming that I would actually have my own business, much less that it would have this very name. I still keep in touch with my professor from college and we laugh about the assignment that would ultimately change my life.

Sandy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began taking piano lessons at the young age of 11. My grandmother would sit beside me on the piano bench and teach me the notes on the staff. I fell in love with the piano and went on to major in piano performance in college. Later in life, I received my certification in music therapy.

After working with clients of all ages and diagnoses since my certification, I began taking music therapy to the senior population in independent, skilled, and memory care units. Little did I know how this population would change my life. As I conducted music sessions which consisted of singing and playing instruments, elderly men and women would begin sharing about their lives. I listened to their stories and my heart swelled with compassion as I realized, this population needs to be heard.

As the numbers of Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients have risen steadily over the last decade, music has been a lifeline to these individuals. I have seen countless examples of patients who could not speak or articulate their needs respond to music. Sometimes it’s just a smile, sometimes a laugh and many times, tears.

Most people are not comfortable being around the elderly as some are withdrawn, can’t walk or talk, or are aggressive. However, it is my belief that this population deserves dignity and respect. They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, sisters, brothers, just as you and I are. Their stories deserve to be heard.

It is such a privilege to be able to serve the senior population. My job is rewarding in that I get to bring a ray of sunshine through music every single day. Music calms, soothes, invigorates and brings people of all ethnic groups together. It engages, evokes responses and brings back precious memories.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I pride myself on being dependable, prepared and most of all, COMPASSIONATE. These are the hallmarks of my business and are listed on my website and brochures.

In 2020, during the height of COVID, I lost my job. I was working as a hospice music therapist and was suddenly banned from going into any facilities. I was devastated. How in the world would I be able to bring music to the population who needed it the most?!

I began making videos that could be broadcast into the facilities on their TVs. I conducted virtual patient visits through FaceTime. I recorded music that could be played by nurses or caregivers who were in patient rooms. I did everything I could think of to ensure patients would have some music to enjoy and have an outside connection.

I began operating my business, Mountain Music Therapy Services, in January of 2020. As facilities opened up, I began offering music therapy sessions at a reduced rate so that facilities recovering from the financial effects of COVID could have music. Activity and Life Enrichment Directors began calling and my schedule filled up quickly. As I talked with them about what they needed most, many mentioned they had heard about my services during the pandemic. All of the recordings I had done had paved the way for me to now begin offering in-person services.

I now serve over 30 facilities in the Colorado Springs and south Denver area. I believe my business grew because I was willing to do the work necessary to ensure that the facilities had music for the residents.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for building my business and growing my clientele has been consistency. I show up for each and every session with energy, cheerfulness and a positive attitude.

Bringing music sessions to so many individuals in the course of a day can be draining. Sometimes I don’t feel like being “on,” but I know if I want to continue adding facilities to my schedule, I must be consistent. Many facility personnel have mentioned that they count on my music therapy sessions to bring joy, not only to the residents, but to the caregivers as well. I can’t count how many times a staff member will start singing along or grab a resident to have a dance!

I offer a free trial session to new facilities for this very reason. If a caregiver or and Activities Director can witness the joy that singing, laughing and playing instruments can bring to their residents, they are sold on having monthly sessions.

This is a thought I keep at the forefront of my mind everyday: “How can I make a difference in someone’s life today?” Music is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mountainmusictherapy.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sanmusicMT
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-golias/
• Youtube: sandygolias@mountainmusic576