Ann and Scott Leslie Parents / Producers

President / Video Producer

As the parents of a child with autism, Scott and Ann understand first hand the need for therapeutic mainstream products that capture their son Gage's interest in a fun and motivating medium, while helping to improve his behavioral and communication skills.

Ann is the President of NoteAbilities, and is also Vice President & CFO of Eugene Scott Productions. She is a Parent Mentor for Autism Tree Project Foundation and has served on the board of Pomerado Hospital Mothers of Twins & Triplets Club for 2 years. She holds a BA of Psychology from UCSD.

Scott is NoteAbilities' Video Producer. He has been in video production for over 16 years and he has been involved in the production of numerous commercials, infomercials, TV shows, and films. In 1996 he created Eugene Scott Productions when he was asked to be both cinematographer and editor of a feature film.

Scott and Ann were surprised to find so few quality video products that could address their son's needs. They saw how Gage responded so positively to typical "mainstream" children's videos and thought "Why isn't there something like this for children with autism?" With this in mind, they met with speech therapist Kara Dodds and board-certified neurologic music therapists Angela Neve and Julie Guy with the idea for a kids' video for children on the autism spectrum.

Kara Dodds, M.S., CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist

CEO

Kara is the owner and director of Kara Dodds and Associates, Inc. She received her Masters degree from Northern Arizona University. As a result of her clinical training, Kara has elected to focus a significant portion of her professional practice on children on the Autism Spectrum.

Kara's pediatric experience includes the evaluation and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apraxia, feeding/swallowing, oral motor issues and language deficits. Her specialized training includes certifications in the Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS). She routinely uses these techniques using visuals and AAC to improve communication. Kara is also Hanen certified and teaches "More Than Words," a Hanen program for parents. She is trained and uses TalkTools methods to improve oral motor abilities. Additionally, she is PROMPT trained and uses this method with Apraxia and motor speech disorders.

Knowledge of her success with children with neurological and development delays has resulted in her being asked to present at international conferences and local colleges. She has also created and teamed up with UCSD for a preschool research project for early intervention.

Angela Neve, NMT, MT-BC Board-certified Neurologic Music Therapist

Music Director

Angela Neve, NMT, MT-BC is a board-certified neurologic music therapist and co-owner of The Music Therapy Center of California. She received her degree in Music Education/Music Therapy from Wartburg College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has received additional training in neurologic music therapy from Colorado State University. In 2004, she was featured as an author in Provider magazine, for a research article on the benefits of music with older adults in a year-long research study funded by Yamaha. She also serves as a consultant for Yamaha Corporation of America with the "Passport to Music" course on Crystal Cruises. As an instructor this course, she traveled to Italy, Croatia and France in 2006 and most recently to England, Scotland and Ireland in the summer of 2008.

She has been working as a music therapist for over seven years in the San Diego area with children, teenagers and adults with autism. She has published several products including the In Harmony program, an educational product targeting speech and social skills through music. She is the music director of Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse and stars as Miss Angela. She currently serves as the Phase 3 Early Intervention Director for the Autism Tree Project Foundation in which she trains preschool teachers on inclusive music strategies, she also serves as the entertainment director for Autism Speaks. She has presented locally and nationally for organizations such as Kids Included Together, the Autism Education Network, and the American Music Therapy Association. As a sibling of a brother with special needs, Angela has seen the power of music in making changes in her brother Luke's life, and is dedicated to bringing that passion to the clients and families that she serves.

Julie Guy, M.M., NMT, MT-BC Board-certified Neurologic Music Therapist

Director of Marketing

Julie Guy is co-founder and vice-president of The Music Therapy Center of California. She has a Bachelor's of Music Degree in flute performance from Central Washington University and a Master's in Music Therapy from Western Michigan University. Julie has been providing services to children with special needs and older adults in the San Diego area since 2001.

She specializes in co-treating with speech therapists, facilitating family and staff/caregiver trainings and presents workshops for therapists across the country. Companies such as Career World, Belissima Magazine and I Got 2 Know have interviewed her for articles and video on music therapy. She is co-author of In Harmony: An Integrated Learning Program for children with special needs.

Julie serves as a mentor with the Autism Tree Project Foundation, is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and serves on their Reimbursement Committee. As one of the founders of NoteAbilities, Inc., Julie serves as a music therapy/autism consultant and flutist on Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse. She is currently writing several articles for publication in music therapy journals.