Stephen Montgomery, MMT, MT-BC

Stephen Montgomery is an Augusta native who has been making music since a young age. He has been recognized during all stages of his music studies for his outstanding performance and commitment to the art of music. Mr. Montgomery earned his Bachelor of Music (Percussion Performance) from Stetson University in Deland, FL., where he studied under Dr. David Coash and was the manager of the Stetson University Symphony Orchestra. After completing his studies, Mr. Montgomery taught percussion privately in central Florida and also instructed high school marching percussion ensembles in Daytona and St. Augustine. He was also the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band IS which he co-founded. This group toured in Florida playing clubs from St. Augustine to Miami and recorded their original music in various studios. Later, Mr. Montgomery moved back to Augusta, GA where he began to work for Portman’s Music. There he was head of the percussion department, the percussion instructor of the Southeast Music Academy, and was also the Director of the Southeast Music Academy.

In 2010, Mr. Montgomery decided to return to school for graduate studies. After many years of teaching privately, he began researching schools to attend and discovered the discipline of music therapy. Mr. Montgomery discovered a graduate level music therapy program at Georgia College & State University and so he began the process to complete the equivalency and graduate programs. There he studied under Dr. Douglas Keith and Dr. Chesley Mercado and earned a Master of Music Therapy degree. During his time there, he was given the graduate clinical award and was also inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Mr. Montgomery began his career at the Georgia (then GRU) Cancer Center and then moved to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center where he had completed his music therapy internship. He has been at the VA since 2013 and works with veterans that have various backgrounds and needs. The VA often recognizes his efforts and Mr. Montgomery also works diligently to connect the veterans and the community together through music. He has created partnerships with the Augusta Symphony and Augusta University in hopes to not only increase the level of care veterans receive through the VA but to advocate for his beloved profession.