Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Goebel.
Kate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always known that music had a special power to heal, but it wasn’t until after I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with my degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Business that I really began to understand how deep that impact could go. I spent over a decade working in healthcare, and it was during my time as a Music Therapist and Life Enrichment Coordinator on a Memory Care Unit that I saw just how transformative music can be for individuals facing memory loss and other challenges. Those moments of connection, whether through singing, reminiscing, or simply being present with a song, were incredibly meaningful.
After a brief time exploring the business world to expand my skill set, I realized that my heart belonged in the music and healthcare space. That’s when I decided to start my own business—offering personalized music programs to individuals and communities across the Twin Cities.
Now, whether I’m leading a music therapy session, teaching lessons, or facilitating a senior choir, my goal is always the same: to create a space where music can bring joy, spark memories, and connect people in ways words alone can’t. I’m honored to be able to serve families, caregivers, and communities through the healing power of music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not exactly — but every twist along the way has shaped who I am and why I do what I do.
Before launching my music business, I worked in the healthcare industry. That experience opened my eyes to how deeply people need connection, comfort, and joy — especially during vulnerable moments. I realized music could be a powerful way to serve my community, so I began by playing in nursing homes, teaching young students, and exploring ways to make music more accessible and meaningful in everyday life.
Starting a business is never simple, but beginning mine in 2019 — just months before the world shut down — brought challenges I couldn’t have imagined. When in-person gatherings disappeared, so did the plans I had carefully laid out. I had to pivot overnight, moving my programs and music lessons to virtual platforms and teaching from my home music room through a screen.
It was tough, no question. Yet, in that uncertainty, I found unexpected opportunity. I was able to reach students across the United States, connect with families I never would have met otherwise, and continue bringing music to those who needed it most — even from a distance. Those relationships and that resilience became the foundation that helped my business flourish once the world opened up again.
Looking back, the road may not have been smooth, but it has been incredibly rewarding — and I’m grateful for every challenge that pushed me to grow.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve been playing piano for over 30 years and have picked up many other instruments along the way — oboe, guitar, ukulele, and more. But while instruments and skills are a big part of my world, what fuels my passion is the power of music to connect human beings to one another.
I discovered music therapy when I was just nine years old. My mom was reading a magazine at one of my piano lessons, and there was an article about how music can help people achieve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social goals. That idea absolutely lit something in me. Even at that age, I understood that music can wade into places words can’t, offering comfort, confidence, memory, belonging — a voice.
Today, my work is built on that belief. I specialize in using music to support people across generations — from young students just beginning to find their voice, to older adults navigating memory care or dementia. I love learning who people are, what music has meant in their lives, and how new musical experiences can open doors to joy, connection, or healing.
One of the gifts of my career has been leading young students in musical theater and group programs. In these spaces, I focus on creating a culture where mistakes aren’t something to fear — they’re part of making something beautiful. I tell my students all the time: everyone messes up. It’s what we do next that matters. In our choir, if someone forgets the words, we just sing “watermelon” and keep going. We laugh, we try again, and we learn that bravery grows in community.
What I am most proud of is that the people I work with know they are valued. Whether I’m playing piano in a memory care facility or teaching a first lesson to a shy beginner, my greatest goal is to remind them that their stories matter, their voices matter, and they matter.
At its heart, my work is about using music to build connection — to help people feel seen, supported, and never alone. And that, to me, is the most meaningful measure of success.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No one builds a dream alone — and I am certainly no exception. My family has always been the foundation of my journey, cheering me on long before this became a career. They drove me to countless music lessons, showed up for every performance, and offered unwavering belief on the days when my own confidence wavered. Their support has been the bedrock beneath every step I’ve taken.
I’ve also been blessed with mentors who recognized something in me before I fully recognized it in myself. One of the most influential was my high school musical director, Sandra Payne. She saw my passion and potential and introduced me to her friend, board-certified music therapist Rebecca Kaup. Rebecca invited me to shadow her at the Minnesota Veterans Home, and that experience changed everything. At just sixteen, standing in that room and witnessing the profound connection music can spark, I knew I wanted to become a music therapist. It was like watching purpose take shape right in front of me.
And then there are the many people who may never realize how deeply they impacted me: the residents I’ve worked with in group homes and care facilities, their families who trusted me, the life enrichment staff who collaborated with me, the nurses, housekeepers, and maintenance teams who keep care settings running with compassion and dignity. Each one has taught me something about teamwork, resilience, and the shared humanity at the heart of caregiving.
The success of my business — and the heart behind it — is rooted in all of these relationships. It’s a reminder that while my work is about creating connection through music, I’ve been surrounded by connection and support every step of the way.
Pricing:
- 30-minute Private Music Lessons
- 30-60-minute 1:1 Music Session for Group Home Resident – contact for more information
- 30–60-minute music programs for assisted living, nursing home, or memory care – contact for more information
Contact Info:
