Jammin' with Music Mike

Expand your musical abilities and connect with friends at Barrier-Free's Music Studio!  "Music Mike" Morton offers a variety of musical offerings for neurodiverse adults that support creativity, expression, and achievement.

The Music Studio is open Sundays in Historic Downtown Sykesville at 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784.

"I love working with Music Mike because he takes his time to help me until I can get it right."

- Coy Horner, Barrier-Free participant

Join us for Jam Session & Mother's Day!

​Join us for a special Mother's Day treat, immediately following the Jam Session on Sunday, May 8!

 Cupcakes & Coffee 🧁☕️ for Moms (and families) to celebrate all of the love & support you show year round! 💕

Shoot us an email at MusicMike@BarrierFreeMD.com or text at 301-799-8669 if you plan to attend.

Our Approach

Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and at the Barrier-Free Music Studio our goal is to make music accessible to everyone! We offer musical classes, lessons and support for people of all abilities, with a focus on self expression and gaining self-confidence in your own voice. Music is an amazing way to break down the barriers that divide us.

Meet Music Mike

Picture
Jared [left] learning the desk bells with Music Mike [right].
Mike Morton, aka "Music Mike," is a musician, teacher, and producer from Glenelg, MD. He has over 7 years of experience working with neurodiverse adults and loves every minute of it! He earned his BA from the University of Maryland and has taught at Music & Arts and the Damon Foreman Music Academy.

​Over the years, Music Mike has been busy performing with various groups around the Baltimore/DC area, and producing music in his home studio. In his free time he enjoys playing chess, reading sci-fi, and hanging out with his birds.

Music Mike can be reached directly via email at MusicMike@BarrierFreeMD.com

"Working with neurodiverse people is my favorite aspect of this career.  Seeing their joy and growth in response to music is incredible."

- Music Mike Morton

Music Studio Offerings

Music Mike offers a variety of programs to meet the needs and levels of each participant.

Music & Mentorship:

Book a one-on-one private lesson at The Music Studio to expand your musical abilities.  No prior experience required!

​Offerings include:
  • Guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Percussion & drums
  • Singing/vocal
  • Songwriting
  • Music theory
  • Beginner piano​
  • Personal mentorship (exploring life, improving emotional awareness, and more, through the lens of music)​
During one-on-one lessons, Music Mike utilizes a person-first approach and takes the time to provide interpersonal mentorship that caters to each client's unique learning style.

Rates start at $30 per lesson depending on length and lesson type.

Jam Sessions:

Join Music Mike on Sundays for a 90-minute group Jam Session from 12 - 1:30pm at The Music Studio!

Jam Sessions include:
  • Songs and sing-a-longs
  • Warm-ups
  • Exposure to a variety of instruments provided by Music Mike​
  • Experience working in a group
  • Social skill and conversation opportunities

Jam sessions cost $10 to attend and are capped at 12 participants.  Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.  No instruments required.

New to Jam Session?  Try it out for FREE your first time!

Peek Inside a Jam Session

Group Classes:

Join Silly Songs with Music Mike on Monday evenings at The Westminster Community Center.

Class Details:
  • Neurodiverse Adults (18+) who identify as having an intellectual/developmental disability or autism
  • Open to new and returning Barrier-Free participants
  • Day & Time: Mondays April 4 - May 23, 7 - 8:30pm​​
  • Class Cost: $85
  • Location: Westminster Community Center - 25 Union St Westminster, MD 21157​
  • Barrier-Free Staff: "Music Mike" Morton & Kelsey McKenney
  • Class Description: Find Your Creative Voice! During this eight-week course, participants will gain confidence in their own voice through singalongs, music games, and songwriting workshops, culminating in an original song written by the whole group and recorded during rehearsals. ​

Not sure if you'll like the class?  We offer a two-week trial period!

Check out "The Snack Troll"

"The Snack Troll" is the original song made by participants in Silly Songs with Music Mike 2021.

Details & Policies

All participants attending The Music Studio agree to the following polices and procedures.
General Liability Waiver/Risk Acknowledgement
LIABILITY WAIVER / RISK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I understand that participation in this program could involve risk of physical and/or mental injury, illness, property loss, and in extremely rare cases, death, and despite safety precautions, Barrier-Free cannot guarantee safety thereof, as all risks cannot be prevented. I understand that Barrier-Free does not provide health and accident insurance for the participants, and I acknowledge that any medical expenses, property loss, or other personal expenditures that result during or from this travel/trip are to be borne by the participant, or by their parent or guardian. 

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS: 
Knowing the risks, dangers and hazards associated with this event, some of which are listed above, and in consideration of being permitted to participate in this program, I agree, individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, to assume all the risks, dangers, hazards, and responsibilities surrounding my participation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, I individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns, and personal representatives, hereby release and forever discharge Barrier-Free, and its Board of Directors, officers, employees, agents, directors, volunteers, successors, and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) from any and all liability, including any liability which arise as a result of negligence on the part of Barrier-Free, for any and all damages, losses or injuries (including death). I sustain to my person or property or both, including, but not limited to any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, judgments, damages, expenses and costs, including attorneys’ fees, which arise out of, result from, occur during or are connected in any manner with participation in this program, any related or independent travel, any activities irrespective of whether they are sponsored, supervised or controlled by Barrier-Free and including anything which may arise as a result of negligence on the part of Barrier-Free, its Board of Directors, officers, employees, agents, directors, volunteers, successors, and representatives (in their official and individual capacities). 

INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS: 
I, individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Barrier-Free and its Board of Directors, officers, employees, agents, directors, volunteers, successors, and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) from any and all liability, loss, damage or expense, including attorneys’ fees, that may result from any negligent or intentional act or omission, which arise out of, occur during, or are in any way connected with my participation in this event, any related or independent travel, any Barrier-Free activities irrespective of whether they are sponsored, supervised, or controlled by Barrier-Free. I agree that this Waiver, Release and Indemnification is to be construed and governed under the laws of the State of Maryland, U.S.A.; and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, the balance hereof shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. In signing this document, I hereby acknowledge that I have read this entire document, that I understand its terms, that by signing it I am giving up substantially legal rights I might otherwise have, and that I have signed it knowingly and voluntarily. 

MY SIGNATURE INDICATES THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT I AGREE TO EVERYTHING STATED IN IT. FURTHER, NO REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR INDUCEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, APART FROM THE FOREGOING WRITTEN STATEMENT, HAVE BEEN MADE. MY SIGNATURE ALSO INDICATES THAT I AM AWARE OF ANY SPECIAL RISKS, DANGERS, AND HAZARDS INVOLVED IN THIS EVENT.*

*Waiver signed upon registration for one-on-one lessons or jam sessions.
Participant Agreement
​PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT:
  • I agree to behave in an appropriate and professional manner at every Barrier-Free Studio session or event.
  • I agree to arrive on time and prepared for each session.
  • I agree to respect others and their ideas.
  • I agree to communicate with others in a respectful manner at all times.
  • I agree to respect and care for the Studio building, equipment, and materials.
  • I know that Barrier-Free has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, violent behavior, sexual/physical harassment, and bullying (including cyberbullying). If I participate in any of these specific kinds of behavior, no warnings (verbal and/or written) will be given. I will be simply dismissed from the program immediately and will receive no refund.
  • I understand that Barrier-Free has a zero-tolerance policy for any damage caused by a participant to any such part of Barrier-Free's facilities or materials.  Participant and/or family will be held responsible for any damage to facilities or materials and be billed at a fair-market value for any damage.
  • I understand that I am expected to follow all of the agreements listed above. If I do not, I will first be given a verbal warning. If there is a violation again, I will then have a written warning. The third time, I will either be put on a probationary period or dismissed from the program.
  • I understand that I am responsible to arrange for my own transportation to and from The Studio and agree to be picked up on time.
  • I agree to be photographed and have my first name shared via Barrier-Free's website and social media during and after classes/events.,
  • Above all, I will always do my best and have fun!
Refund & Rescheduling Policy
JAM SESSION REFUND & RESCHEDULING POLICY
Due to limited Jam Session spaces, we request that participants cancel at least 48 hours before a scheduled session. This gives us the opportunity to fill the space. You may cancel by email to MusicMike@BarrierFreeMD.com. If you have to cancel your session, we offer the opportunity to apply your payment to a future Jam Session if you cancel before the 48 hours, but do not offer refunds. You may use the payment towards any future available Jam Session. However, if you do not cancel prior to the 48 hours, you will lose the payment for the Jam Session.

Music Mike reserves the right to cancel Jam Sessions as needed.  In the event that a Jam Session is canceled by Music Mike, registered participants will be given the opportunity to reschedule their session or receive a refund.


MUSIC & MENTORSHIP REFUND & RESCHEDULING POLICY
We request that participants cancel at least 48 hours before a scheduled lesson. You may cancel by email to MusicMike@BarrierFreeMD.com.

Music Mike reserves the right to cancel Music & Mentorship Lessons.  In the event that a lesson is canceled by Music Mike, registered participants will be given the opportunity to reschedule their lesson to a mutually agreed upon date and time.

Still have questions?

Email MusicMike@BarrierFreeMD.com or give us a call or text to 301-799-8669.

See what else Barrier-Free offers

In addition to music offerings, Barrier-Free offers life skills & social skills programming, communication therapy, and a variety of expressive arts programs.