Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Winders.
Hi Sydney , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started Creative Care Music Therapy, LLC in 2024, when I had been a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) for three years. Prior to that, I was practicing in more urban areas, where access to music therapy services and community resources was more readily available.
When I moved to Ray County, Missouri, I quickly realized how limited that access was in a rural setting. There were clear gaps in both educational and therapeutic music services, and many individuals and families simply didn’t have opportunities to engage with music in a structured, supportive way. That experience is what led me to start my private practice.
My goal has been to meet those needs by providing accessible, community-based music therapy services. Since launching the business, I’ve focused on building partnerships, increasing awareness of music therapy, and creating meaningful, client-centered experiences that serve individuals across the lifespan.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many small businesses, there have definitely been ups and downs along the way.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is navigating pricing for my services. I want to make sure that I’m setting costs across a variety of music therapy offerings in a way that sustains the business, because that sustainability ultimately allows me to continue serving and positively impacting the community. At the same time, I strongly believe that in certain communities, access to music therapy experiences should be free of charge.
Because of that, I’m constantly working to find a balance. I connect with community members to learn more about resources that could financially or organizationally support the work, and I regularly check in with clients, caregivers, parents, and families to make sure pricing feels reasonable and accessible. At the core of our operations, Creative Care Music Therapy, LLC’s goal is to serve the community in a way that is ethical, intentional, and uplifting for everyone involved, while also ensuring that the work can continue to grow and reach more people.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
From an arts lens, my work sits at the intersection of creativity, accessibility, and community connection. While Creative Care Music Therapy, LLC is focused on serving music therapy needs, the majority of what we do day-to-day is providing in-home music lessons. We offer instruction in piano, guitar, voice, and ukulele, and our approach is grounded in adaptive music play.
What that means in practice is that we meet students where they are and design learning experiences that are flexible, engaging, and individualized. We specialize in providing instruction to students of all ages, with a strong emphasis on early learners. About 40% of our private lesson students are under the age of ten, and we intentionally create opportunities for them to explore instruments they might not typically have access to in more traditional educational settings due to age-based limitations.
What sets our work apart is that we don’t separate artistry from accessibility. Whether a student is engaging for enrichment, expression, or therapeutic support, we approach music as something that belongs to everyone. I’m especially proud of the way we’ve been able to build a model that honors both high-quality music education and inclusive, adaptive practices, creating spaces where all students can experience success, creativity, and ownership in their musical journey.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I really believe that we can learn something from anyone, and that mindset has shaped how I approach both mentorship and networking. A mentor doesn’t always have to be someone in a formal role, sometimes it’s a peer, a community member, or someone in a completely different field who offers a new perspective.
For young entrepreneurs, I always recommend starting locally. Get connected in your own community. This includes attending events, introducing yourself, and be present in spaces where people are already doing meaningful work. Those relationships tend to be the most sustainable and impactful.
On a practical level, I’ve found it helpful to always take someone’s business card or contact information and follow up. Even a quick message to say it was nice to meet them can go a long way. Over time, those small connections build into a strong network of support, collaboration, and opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativecaremusictherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecaremusictherapyllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560255295351
