Cecilia Stair, MM, MT-BC
Music Therapist / Private Instructor / Musician

 

Cecilia Stair (she/her) is a board-certified music therapist and musician living in Knoxville, Tennessee. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Tennessee, with a focus on cello performance, and a Bachelor's Equivalency and Master's in Music Therapy at the University of Kentucky. During graduate school, she completed the NICU Music Therapy Certification, Orff Level 1 training, and was awarded both the Dr. Robert C and Mrs. Rita C Lam Award (2019) and Dr. Ralph McCracken Award (2020) for excellence as a music therapy student. Cecilia's graduate thesis research explored LGBTQ advocacy and education in music therapy, demonstrating a need for increased education to better prepare music therapy students to support LGBTQ+ clients and colleagues. Currently, she provides contracted music therapy services and private music instruction in the Knoxville area, performs as a musician, and hosts and produces "Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change" (podcast) for the Tennessee Theatre. Cecilia was recently named one of the "40 Under 40" by Knox News.

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Personal Statement

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As a music therapist and cello instructor, I am committed to providing high-quality services that consider individual goals, preferences, cultural factors, and the strengths and needs of each of my clients. I believe that every person deserves opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences with music regardless of age, disability, socioeconomic status, cultural or ethnic background, history of substance use, incarceration, or any other factor that might lead to exclusion or discrimination. I recognize creative expression as a basic human need and hope to improve access to the arts. As a performer, I love collaborating with artists who have unique perspectives to share. I believe that through the process of creating and experiencing music together, we can become more compassionate human beings and build healthier communities.

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