Karen (Joly) Collins (Class of 2005) earned her degree in Music Therapy from the University
of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2010. While at UA, she was an active member of St. Francis Parish, where she sang at the Sunday Night Masses and served on the SEARCH Retreat Team. Karen also participated in the University of Alabama Opera Theatre program, where she honed her vocal skills and collaborated with musicians and professors. This experience greatly shaped her career as a music therapist, allowing her to work in diverse settings including hospice care,
psychiatric hospitals, special education, inclusive preschools, and with adults with disabilities.

After graduating from UA, Karen moved to the Birmingham area, where, in the Fall of 2011, she founded Music Therapy Milestones, LLC. The practice employed five board-certified music therapists and one community support specialist. Music Therapy Milestones served a wide range of community organizations and schools across Central Alabama, making a profound impact through their work, dedication, and compassion. The company also offered a Music Therapy Internship program in partnership with the University of Alabama.

Karen credits both her music studies and her experience playing basketball at Catholic High
School as the most formative influences on her spiritual and professional growth. “Music helped me grow spiritually by teaching me to pray the Mass with reverence and to see singing as one of the highest forms of prayer,” she says. “Basketball taught me real-life skills, like problem-solving and perseverance, which have been invaluable as I navigate the challenges of life.” Karen began her high school education at St. Bernard High School but transferred to JPII in her junior year. She credits the challenges of moving to a new school and joining a new team with helping her develop the resilience needed to build a business, cultivate a positive team culture, and form strong community partnerships.

Karen met her husband, Seth Collins, through mutual friends at St. Francis Parish in Tuscaloosa. Seth converted to Catholicism in 2010, and they were married on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July 2011. Together, they have two children: Mary Elizabeth (12), who recently started attending St. Francis Xavier School, and James (9), who is currently homeschooled. James was recently diagnosed with special learning needs, and Karen is interested in building a network of supportive families going through similar challenges. Seth works as the Director of Quality at Dunn Building Company.

Her advice to current students is simple but powerful: “God created you for a purpose that is
unique to you! Don’t be afraid to be genuine and authentic—that’s how we discover God’s plan for our lives. And when faced with struggles, remember to trust that God is working everything for your good.”

Karen has strong ties to the Birmingham special needs community and the University of
Alabama’s School of Music. If these connections could be helpful to students or alumni, please contact the Advancement Office for Karen’s contact information.