Beginning February 2026, School of Rock Mandarin and Music Heals of Florida (a division of Music Therapy Services, Inc.) are partnering to bring group music classes to Northeast Florida, specially designed for the special needs community. Classes will be held weekly, last 50-minutes, and will consist of 5-7 students. The class uses evidence-based music interventions to reach non-musical goals, such as improving social skills, motor skills, focus & concentration, emotional regulation, anxiety management, and executive function skills (visual tracking, motor planning).

Jan Barbour, founder and owner of Music Heals of Florida and School of Rock Mandarin owner, Ryan Campbell, share a passion for providing services to the special needs community of Northeast Florida. Ryan became acquainted with Jan when her company was offering services at his son's ABA therapy center. "My son, who is non-verbal and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD, loves our Little Wing class for 4-5 year olds," says Ryan, who has been bringing his son to classes since the summer of 2024.

"I'm sure he'll continue attending until he ages out, but based on his unique needs and the difficulty he has communicating with the staff and his peers, I know it gets frustrating for him sometimes, and I'm not sure to what degree he'll be able to participate in our Rookies class for 6-7 year olds. While we do our best to make the class inclusive of special needs students, I admit it falls short for some families, and it grieves me to have to turn some families away when we're not equipped to handle their unique needs." Ryan, who has two sons on the autism spectrum, continues, "I've always wanted to be able to offer services better tailored to students with learning and developmental differences, and this partnership will provide us with the opportunity to meet students where they are, using music to teach important life skills."

School of Rock Mandarin is located in the Claire Lane Shopping center, just south of I-295 off San Jose Blvd and teaches music to kids and adults of all skill levels. The addition of music therapy classes is just one more way the School intends to bring the joy of making music to families in Northeast Florida.