Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Lyles.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My journey to music therapy began at a college fair in St. Louis, Missouri. I approached the table for my now Alma Mater, Maryville University unsure of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to do something musical as I have been involved in orchestra, choirs, and musical theater and I wanted to do something to really help people; however, I knew working in science and medicine wasn’t my calling. As I spoke with that college rep, he mentioned “music therapy” as an undergraduate degree option and I haven’t looked back since!
I completed my Bachelor’s in Music Therapy, relocated to South Florida to fulfill the required internship program in 2010 in that same year, and started my career in hospice care. I passed my national board certification and off I went! I learned so much while working in the hospice setting and was blessed to care for so many patients and families dealing with terminal illnesses. While working in this field, I dabbled a bit in working with the special needs population. My mom worked in special needs classrooms for several years and I think that’s what drew me into working with this population as well. As I wrapped up my time in hospice care, the pull for me to work with people with developmental disabilities grew stronger and stronger. From that point on, I fully submerged myself in the world of autism and developmental disabilities. I am so grateful for the first principal I worked for taking a chance on me. I haven’t stopped since that opportunity opened up.
I worked for a year on my own, went back into full-time work for a school, and then branched out again completely solo in 2018. Whole Vibes was officially born! My vision for Whole Vibes has been to provide musical experiences for all abilities and ages. I began with music therapy and adapted lessons and have added standard music lessons, Interability Chorus, and Interability Theater (both programs serve adults with special needs). Our team has also grown from just me to 6 music therapists and music teachers. We’ve been blessed to be in homes and facilities on The Treasure Coast, Palm Beach County, and more recently Broward County. We partner with schools, nursing homes, recovery centers/treatment centers for mental health needs, recreation centers, libraries, therapeutic centers, and private home care. Our philosophy is that anyone can be successful in making or experiencing music, it’s just up to us to make it happen!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can’t help but laugh a little as I reflect on the challenges we have faced. If anyone out there knows how it is going from a team of 1 to a team of many, then you know there are bound to be some challenges with that! I absolutely adore all of our team members and we’ve also had some team members that have caused us to stretch and grow and change how we navigate this journey. I am grateful for each and every person nonetheless. It definitely requires growth as the leader to get to know everyone’s working style, personality type, and preferred working “love language” if that makes sense.
Also, learning to create and implement policies for my business was a challenge at first, but now it’s easier to stand on these policies so we can continue to grow and serve more families the best way we can! Being a single mom to a toddler is also on the list of challenges, but it’s also on the list of best jobs ever! I learn each day how to navigate raising my tiny human while running a business. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart! Please send coffee (and wine)!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Whole Vibes partners with families and facilities to provide the best music therapy, music lessons, and music experiences on the planet! We are so proud to have a team of board-certified music therapists and music teachers that are on this mission with us. We are known for our Interability Chorus! We partner with The Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Fl, and gather 16 adults with developmental disabilities and exceptionalities from surrounding areas and help them find and use their voice!
When we say “their voice,” we really mean that! We work with participants that use a communication device like an iPad or talk button and have had a participant that communicates using sign language. We also feature singers that have performed on local stages and your regular old “shower singers.” Our mantra is: “Many Abilities, Many Voices, One Accord, That’s Who We Are!” We embody this mantra. We also use this mantra and the same goals for our newest project: Interability Theater. Just like our chorus, this program is specifically crafted for adults with developmental disabilities. The theater program incorporates music as well as acting skills and techniques, improvisation games, and skills and movement.
Our Interability programs allow adults with special needs to have an outlet after they graduate from high school, promote socialization, communication, and self-expression, and create a community for these adults to have of their own with no judgment. While I love what we do with our music therapy and music lessons, I am especially proud of these groups! We are launching these programs in Broward County and soon will offer them around the world!
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is doing what you love and being surrounded by love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mywholevibes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywholevibes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mywholevibes
Image Credits
Tina Mestre and Sara Olmann
