- November 7, 2025
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Within the walls of a music therapy room, two brothers with autism — 12-year-old Everett Wyckoff and 10-year-old Zachary Wyckoff — began their session.
They were led in song by Virginia Bibler, the founder of Gulf Coast Music Therapy, as she played guitar. Close by was Lakewood Ranch’s Jules Whittemore, a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, who was ready to assist as a volunteer.
“It astonishes me how music can have such a connection with nonverbal or less-verbal patients,” Whittemore said. “The saying ‘actions speak louder than words’ speaks to me with this."
Whittemore, who was on hand because she had formed a group of volunteer students at ODA to assist at Gulf Coast Music Therapy, said music can create a bond in autistic children that they can comprehend.
Jennifer Weiser, the mother of Everett and Zachary, said music is a language that is universal. Her sons have been patients at Gulf Coast Music Therapy, which is located at 4744 S.R. 64, Bradenton, for seven years.
Weiser said Zachary wants to be a performer in the future and is learning how to read music, which she said now provides a creative outlet for him. Music therapy has also impacted Everett in meaningful ways.
“Everett has come so far," Weiser said. "We went from just trying to get him into the door to participate, to now participating in the whole session. He's asking for the things that he wants to do in the session as well, which is huge. The communication and the social piece, it's been outstanding for us.”
Whittemore’s inspiration to volunteer stemmed from personal experience, and seeing what music therapy can do for someone she loves. Her brother Max, now 23, has autism and was a patient at Gulf Coast Music Therapy from age 5 to 15.
“I remember seeing photos of him with this giant guitar pick and playing the ukulele,” Whittemore said. “I always thought it was so cool. He had the biggest smile on his face, which was rare to see sometimes.”
Marla Whittemore, the mother of Max and Jules, said Max learned three important things in music therapy: taking turns, fine motor skills and referencing.
“There's just so many trickle-down effects that music can touch — not just the life of the patient, but the life of the family and the community as a whole,” Marla Whittemore said.
Jules Whittemore decided to not only volunteer herself but also organize a group to make even more impact. Six students, including Jules Whittemore, have donated their time, assisting children by playing instruments and singing with them.
Maria Whittemore said music therapy is a way students, or even parents, can contribute their music skills to society.
“We've all grown in patience and creativity, and I can't wait for another session after each one ends,” Jules Whittemore said. “I'm excited to continue a partnership throughout the years with ODA and Gulf Coast Music Therapy.”
On Oct. 14, the Art Alliance Board, a parent-run organization at ODA, presented Gulf Coast Music Therapy with a gift of three percussion instruments — a cajon (a box-shaped percussion instrument), a glockenspiel (a percussion instrument consisting of pitched aluminum or steel bars arranged in a keyboard layout) and a gathering drum (a large floor-standing drum).
“The cajon is cool because you sit on top of it to play, and you get a vibration,” Bibler said. “You can feel the music in a different way that’s good for sensory engagement. The same is true for the big drum. It's so loud and resonant that it provides a lot of sensory feedback for the kids when they're playing.”
Gulf Coast Music Therapy sees between 85 to 90 clients a week.
"If we have kids who love 'Moana,' we are singing 'Moana' because they're going to have a connection to that song,” Bibler said. “They're going to engage more with the music and then we can use that to address goals. We address things in our clinic such as motor skills, speech and language, and functional communication.”
Whittemore was thrilled when Bibler accepted her as a volunteer. Bibler said she wasn’t sure what to expect at first since they’ve never brought in volunteers.
“We love having extra hands so they can help the students,” Bibler said. “Jules will tell you that I've asked her to sit behind a client and help guide (the client) as he's playing to make sure that he's doing what I'm asking.”
Bibler said Whittemore had a unique perspective because she has a brother with autism. She thought the other volunteers might have been taken off guard at certain moments, such as when a client would throw something.
“The opportunity to be in a room with someone who is neurodivergent and different at learning often just builds compassion,” Bibler said. “(The volunteers) will walk away with more understanding of other humans, which I think is invaluable.”
Erick Crow, the director of arts at ODA, thanked Jules for all of the work that went into creating and facilitating the initiative.
“Student advocacy is important, because you got these kids excited,” Crow said. “Getting more kids thinking about (music therapy) as a career opportunity gets me excited, because it opens another door.”
