VOICE COLORS - Key Persons
Eve Megargel is an author, educator, filmmaker, and pioneer in advocating that all individuals on the autism spectrum are independent communicators who are capable of self-expression and social relationships. Eve consults, collaborates, and engages on key autism issues and initiatives with several organizations, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston's Jewish Family and Children's Services. She is a member of the MGH Family Advisory Council and the Lurie Center Leadership Council. Eve received her master's degree in Theology from Harvard University, and her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband Matt and son Billy in Weston, Massachusetts.
Hannah received her M.Ed. in the education of children with special needs from Simmons College in 1999 and completed her certification as a yoga teacher in 2005. Hannah has worked as an educator, social skills counselor and yoga instructor in a variety of settings with both children and adults. Hannah has directed the Voice Colors yoga program since 2005, and the therapeutic yoga program at NESCA, a private pediatric neuropsychology practice in Newton MA, since 2007. Inspired by her work in the Voice Colors program, Hannah developed a visual yoga curriculum called Yoga Connects specifically designed for students on the autism spectrum and is currently offering trainings for parents and professionals.
Holly McCarthy graduated from Rhode Island College with her Masters in Education, with a special concentration in Severe/Profound Disabilities. Holly has been on the Voice Colors team since 2001. Currently, she is the Director of Children's Behavioral Health Services at Jewish Family and Children's service. Holly consults with the voice colors team weekly.
Joe Hartigan is a percussionist living in the Boston area, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with dual degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. Joe started at CMCB as a student in middle school pursuing his love of drums and percussion. He made the switch to faculty when he joined the SummerMUSIC program as the rhythm instructor which he has done for the past 6 years. Joe has been a member of the CMCB school outreach team since the fall of 2014 and specializes in percussion, bucket drumming and general music. Joe is also involved at CMCB teaching drumming in the early childhood program, teaching private percussion lessons and leading ensembles. He is also an active performer, playing throughout Massachusetts and the New England area in orchestras, marching bands, jazz combos and various other popular music groups. He maintains a private studio practice and continues to spread his love and knowledge of music to as many students as possible
Kerrie is a certified 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher and Trainer (RYTT) and has been both teaching and practicing Vinyasa Yoga since 2010 in Boston and the Greater Boston area. In addition in 2014, Kerrie became a certified Ayurvedic Yoga specialist with the Himalayan Institute. Kerrie taught classes to special needs students while volunteering for Hands to Heart Center, a Boston-based yoga organization that provides classes to underprivileged communities. Kerrie joined the Voice Colors team in early 2017 to connect and teach strengthening, challenging, nurturing, and meditative peace through Yoga. Kerrie Baldwin is also a licensed cosmetologist, and she owned and operated a salon in Dedham for 13 years. Currently, Kerrie works at Dellaria and Lifetime Athletic and also provides onsite styling services and yoga classes for special events.
Martin Case is a composer, producer, and performing musician. Martin specializes in creating and producing music and media for clients in dance, film and other cultural experiences, both live, online and in the studio. Martin's client list includes the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Boston Ballet, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Harvard University, MIT, the Mark Morris Dance Group, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. The enduring theme of Martin's work is to honor the musician's function to create sacred sonic space for meditation, now/nothought, and sensuous enjoyment. The nature of this work has taken Martin to the Middle East, West Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia. In Boston, Martin graduated from Berklee College of Music, and presently serves Wellesley College, The Mt Auburn Glimpse Commission, and a variety of other clients in creating music and media experiences.
Mauria Atzil is one of the newer members on the Voice Colors team. She aspires to provide people with special needs or social disorders with animal assisted therapy and is a full time student at Brandeis University where she is studying Psychology and Animal Behavior. She works part time with Billy as a Communication Partner and helps lead yoga, work outs, art sessions, and more. Her role is to aid Billy in his learning and increase his communication capabilities. She has also had the opportunity to assist on a communication project for Mass General Hospital that will bring visual guides of medical procedures to people on the autism spectrum.
Sunny is Billy's CranioSacral Therapist. She is a graduate of the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy's 864.5 hour Massage Program. Located in Worcester, MA, Bancroft is one of this Country's oldest schools of Massage Therapy as well as being the only School with a trademarked massage. She is also a 4th Level graduate of the Upledger Institute's CranioSacral Therapy Program. She is an Assistant Teacher as well as striving to earn her certificate as a teacher in this modality. She has earned certificates in Thai Massage, Myofacial Release, Pre-Natal Massage, Hot Stone Therapy and have achieved the status of Reiki Master. With almost 2,500 hours of education in bodywork, as well as almost 14 years in the field, Sunny is afforded the ability to choose from a very large "tool box" in order to help her clients. She looks at each session with her clients is an opportunity to build a unique bond of trust and understanding, a responsibility she takes quite seriously. Feeling each and every client and session is a gift, Sunny states she feels blessed and grateful to be Billy's Therapist for the past 5 years, making a positive impact on his health and life.
Mike is studio owner of Teammates Fitness in Wellesley MA where he is also personal trainer. Drawing from his background as an athlete, coach, and trainer, Billy and Mike work one-on-one to reach current fitness goals and set new goals.
Natalie joined the Voice Color's team in 2005. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology Rehabilitation and Developmental Psychology. She also has an Associate of Social Services. Natalie worked 15 years in special education in both public and private school settings with 7 - 24 year old students. In these settings, Natalie introduced, taught and reinforced academic and communication goals. In addition, she started and operated her own business. The last several years, Natalie has helped to nurture Billy and his peers' love for Art. She quickly recognized the powerful relationship between an artist and his passion. After all, Art offers a way to say things that might not be possible with words. Natalie is privileged to be a part of such a powerful experience.
Patrick is manager and Head Coach at Massachusetts Gymnastics Center where he has be instructing Billy in gymnastics. He attended University of Nebraska Lincoln and is originally from Decatur IL. Loves jazz, foodie and traveling.
Rebecca received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University in 2008. She worked in a variety of settings, specializing in adolescents, trauma, and suicide prevention. In 2011, Rebecca finally pursued her dream of becoming a yoga instructor and transitioned to working in the field full-time in 2014. She particularly enjoys adapting yoga for varying settings and populations, including addiction recovery centers, assisted living facilities, and in-home yoga for cancer patients. Rebecca joined the Voice Colors team in 2017 and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible and dedicated staff. In addition to her work as a yoga instructor, Rebecca is an Usui Reiki Master Teacher and a student of Ayurveda, an Indian life science.
Shelly has received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration /Management. She has been a driven entrepreneur since the age of 19, when she opened her first retail store while attending college. She managed and operated her successful business for fourteen years before she sold it to open a children's gym. Shelly has customized a physical education program which helps develop a child's physical, social, and cognitive skills through both visual perception and active participation. Shelly has personally provided a safe and positive environment for children ages 6 months through 8 years that has impacted thousands of families for nearly 20 years.
For the past six years, Shelly has been a valuable member of the Voice Colors team consistently assisting, encouraging and giving her heart as a Communication Partner. By fostering strong relationships, earning trust and providing communication support, Shelly promotes independence in both home school and family settings. Billy teaches us how to become better observers, how to reach for one's goals even if it means trying something new and especially how to be a great friend!