Celebrating 15 years in business, Keys for Success employs board-certified music therapists who have completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy, followed by a six month internship at an approved site. Music therapists receive extensive training in creating developmentally appropriate music interventions and selecting appropriate music to enable individuals to reach their highest potentials. Meet our team below.
Lindsay menninger,MT-BC
Founder, Director of Music Therapy
Lindsay Menninger founded Keys for Success in 2008, following four years of experience in providing music therapy services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Lindsay completed her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy at the University of Dayton and is still an avid Flyer Fan! She interned at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN where she worked on the general pediatrics unit, rehabilitation unit, acute psychiatric unit, and high risk maternity unit. Now in its 13th year, Keys for Success has grown to serve a wide variety of individuals and groups and continues to grow and expand into new service opportunities. Lindsay enjoys managing a team of ten music therapists, expanding Keys for Success service opportunities, and meeting with and making music with individuals and their families! When Lindsay is not playing guitar and singing, she enjoys spending time with her family- going to the zoo, watching sports, and exploring all the local parks.
Yemani schneider,Mt-bc
Senior Music Therapist
Yemani Schneider graduated from the University of Dayton in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy. After graduation, he completed a 9-month internship at Pioneer School and Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Chillicothe, OH. During his internship, he provided group and individual music therapy sessions for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. He first learned about the field of Music Therapy during High School, while volunteering at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; it sparked an interest in him and has grown into a passion today. In addition to being a Music Therapist, Yemani enjoys writing music and performing as a singer-songwriter and guitarist. When he’s not playing music, he enjoys reading, seeing new movies, and spending time with friends and family. Yemani joined Keys for Success in 2015.
ERIN SCHMIDT,MS, mt-bc
Senior Music Therapist
Erin Schmidt graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry from State University of New York at Oneonta and with a Master’s Degree in Creative Arts Therapy with a specialization in Music Therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester. She received her board certification in June of 2010, after completing a six-month internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, working with pediatric oncology patients. She has previously worked with children with developmental disabilities and with urban at-risk youth. When Erin isn't working, she enjoys spending time with family, watching football, attending local theatre productions, and relaxing at local coffee shops.
BRIANA SEIM, MT-BC
Senior Music Therapist, Internship Director
Briana has been a proud member of the Keys team since January 2017 (Re-certified in 2022) soon after earning her MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) credential. Prior to joining Keys for Success, she completed her bachelor’s degree in music from Nazareth College of Rochester with a primary in voice. Following her academic coursework, she completed her internship at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center located in Peapack, NJ, where she worked with medically fragile individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Briana has served in many roles on the Keys team including Concert Coordinator and Internship Supervisor. She has a passion for educating current and future music therapists. Briana's favorite part of being a music therapist is watching clients grow and generalize their skills from therapy into their lives! Outside of music therapy, Briana enjoys playing volleyball, making road trips up to Niagara Falls/Lockport, NY to visit family, relaxing with Paint-By-Number projects, and spending time with her husband, family in NY, and her German Shepherd, Heidi.
Sarah Baumgartner, MT-BC
Sarah grew up in the Pacific Northwest in Washington, where she attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a focus on the organ. Following graduation, she moved to the Midwest to explore a new area of the country. After a few years’ hiatus from school, Sarah returned to get her Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, graduating in 2020. She completed a seven-month internship with Keys for Success before joining the team permanently as a music therapist. In her free time, Sarah enjoys backpacking, being active, reading, and spending time with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.
Lisa Nixon, MT-BC
Lisa grew up in a suburb outside of Chicago and graduated from Illinois State University with her bachelors in music therapy. Growing up in a musical household, she began playing violin through the Suzuki program at the age of two. Throughout her years in school, she enjoyed playing in orchestra, quartets, gigging, teaching lessons, and being a part of a traveling music group. Following her undergrad, Lisa moved to Asheville, NC for her internship in Hospice Music Therapy. After living in NC for 3 years, she and her husband decided to move to Cincinnati, OH for a new chapter in life. Outside of work, Lisa loves to run outside, sew, cook, garden, and play with her two German Shorthaired Pointers.
Emma Satow, MT-BC
Emma Satow graduated from Cleveland State University in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy and a minor in psychology. From Cleveland, she moved to Columbus for a 7-month internship at Bridgeway Academy, a school for students with autism. There, she had the opportunity to collaborate with other disciplines like speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Prior to her internship, Emma worked with preschoolers with developmental disabilities, adults with developmental disabilities, and older adults with memory loss. After passing her boards exam in July of 2022, she received her boards certification and moved to Cincinnati to work at Keys for Success! When not making music, Emma enjoys hiking with her husband, watercolor painting, and visiting her family in Akron, Ohio.
Olivia Barnaclo, MT-BC
Olivia Barnaclo graduated from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI in 2021 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy. She received her board certification in August of 2022, after completing a nine-month internship at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, NY. During her internship, she worked with pediatric patients of all diagnoses and was able to spend lots of time exploring the East Coast. Prior to internship, Olivia worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities and older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. When Olivia isn’t working, you can find her exploring her home town of Cincinnati, taking walks, going to concerts, reading, or taking care of her multitude of house plants.
Sydney Baytos, MT-BC
Sydney grew up in a suburb of Cleveland and graduated from the University of Dayton with her bachelors in music therapy. She received her board certification in music therapy (MT-BC) after completing a 6-month internship at New Avenues to Independence in Cleveland Ohio serving adults with IDD in a residential facility. Prior to her internship, Sydney worked with preschoolers with developmental disabilities, adults with developmental disabilities, adolescence with complex trauma, and older adults with memory loss. Sydney has had the opportunity of performing throughout her career as a solo artist, with collaborators, and with her band Hunny Eyes where she plays synth and sings. Sydney is new to the Cincinnati area and has recently adopted a sweet puppy named Daisy. Outside of music, Sydney enjoys watching movies, hiking, baking, and playing card games.
OLIVIA COBB, MT-BC
Olivia Cobb graduated from the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY in 2018 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy. She received her board certification in January of 2019, after completing a seven-month internship at Personal Counseling Services Inc. in Clarksville, IN. She then worked in Clarksville, for four years serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. During her internship, she worked with clients of all diagnoses including children and adults with developmental disabilities and older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Prior to internship, Olivia visited in Thailand and Japan to observe music therapy on a study abroad trip. She also worked with individuals who are blind or visually impaired in several different settings . When Olivia isn’t working, you can find her exploring her home town of Cincinnati, taking walks, crafting, reading, or exploring the local foodie scene.
Sara Cox, MT-BC
Sara grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and then attended Northern Kentucky University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. In 2020, she decided to return to school. Sara graduated from the University of Louisville in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy. She completed a seven-month internship with Keys for Success before joining the team as a music therapist. Prior to her internship, Sara worked with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, pediatric oncology patients, and adolescents in a behavioral health unit. In her free time, Sara enjoys performing in shows, playing with her dog, being outside, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
abby kaminski, MT-BC
Abby graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor's Degree in music therapy and a minor in psychology. She then completed a 6 month internship at the UofL Music Therapy Clinic serving clients of all ages and a variety of diagnosis, earning her board certification (MT-BC) soon after. This inspired her to seek out similar opportunities, landing her with Keys! Before she graduated, Abby lived in an assisted living facility through the Artist in Residence program at UofL where she got to know some of the coolest older adults ever- and learn a lot of new songs for them. She first fell in love with music doing musicals with her school and later began playing the guitar, writing songs, and learning new ones any chance she got. Outside of work, Abby loves to go on walks with her husband, do puzzles, try new restaurants, and read!
JULIE BROCK, Business Development Manager
Julie joined the Keys for Success team in early 2023. She and Keys for Success founder, Lindsay Menninger, met in college at University of Dayton where they both studied music therapy. After a couple years working in the field, Julie returned to her Cincinnati roots and worked for over a decade in the region’s tourism industry. Since joining the Keys for Success team, Julie has gained immense admiration for this team of music therapists. The professionalism and care they display in their work with clients, caregivers and one another is to be applauded. Passionate about singing and social justice, Julie joined MUSE Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir in 2000 and remains an active member of the choir and the organization’s leadership. Julie resides in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood with her husband and two cats.
