Our Leadership Team

Casey is a board-certified neurologic music therapist, small business owner, sought-after presenter, and fierce advocate for the rights of those with communication disabilities. She founded Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms, Inc.) to provide increased access to community training programs and support services for autistic individuals and those with neurologic disabilities or injuries who struggle to communicate via speech or move reliably to be understood.  

Casey is a dedicated wife and mother of 2 adult children of whom she is very proud.

Becca is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with undergraduate and Master's  degrees in Exercise Physiology. She has experience as a health and wellness coach and in professional recruiting. We recruited her for our team because of her desire to truly make a difference.

She is compassionate and enthusiastic. She cares deeply and is a natural advocate for our students and for our mission.  Becca enjoys listening to and learning from our nonspeaking students and shareing with others about her work. She is an active Mommy to 3 year old, Kennedy. 

Eric is a University of Evansville grad with 15+ years of experience in the field of music therapy. Eric started his career with Integrative Music Therapy and was instrumental in the start of Optimal Rhythms and ACCESS Academy. He has presented at regional and national conferences, often alongside self-advocates. Eric is a neurologic music therapist, a composer, and a songwriter. He enjoys being a husband and daddy and loves making music with all people.

Kaitlin has been a member of the Optimal ACCESS team since 2019, supporting students in-person and virtually. She is passionate and skilled at helping families get the supports they need to address the individualized needs of our students. Kaitlin is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Associate), she is now offering mental health counseling services to our students. Kaitlin is a proud wife and mom to her two children, Mason and Stella.

Chris was a part of the team that founded ACCESS Academy in 2014. He returns to Optimal ACCESS with renewed enthusiasm after a Life Skills teaching placement in public school special education. Chris understands the crucial role of effective communication in student success, and he is committed to helping empower students by building their skills and confidence, enhancing their daily living skills, and ensuring they have the tools needed to excel and achieve their full potential. Chris and his wife Carrieann have 2 amazing “adult kids”, Hannah and Eli.

Jane Ann is a former special education teacher and school administrator who began her journey with Optimal ACCESS as a lunchtime volunteer at our ACCESS Academy.  A few years later, she joined our team as a program assistant and communication regulation partner for a student in our classroom after recognizing how much was being missed about nonspeaking students in traditional special education environments. The unique training provided and the experiences she gained in our classroom led to a passion and commitment to the work and to the advocacy needed for our students. Jane Ann is the voice or the face you might come across first at Optimal ACCESS.