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.
