Music Therapy

Music Therapy

ARI AMIR

Music Therapy

SUSAN BERKOWITZ

What’s your name?  Susan Berkowitz

Where are you from? Brooklyn, of course! Born in Massachusetts

How many years have you been a music therapist?  10

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  8

What populations have you worked with?  Children through seniors: autism spectrum; learning disabled and other developmental delays, neurologically damaged through stroke, TBI, accident, etc.; geriatric and end-of-life

What is the primary population you work with?  Currently split fairly evenly between children and adults with developmental delays

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  I play flute, so I try to incorporate breathing for well-being wherever I can

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My clients

Few people know that I…  was a vice president in the systems area of a major brokerage firm in a former career. I use many of the problem-solving and team building skills I learned in that career in music therapy.

Education:  Northwestern University, BA History, New York University, MA Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Flute, piccolo, piano, guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Flutist with The Riverside Orchestra

Music Therapy

JASMINE EDWARDS

What’s your name?  Jasmine Edwards

Where are you from? Florida

How many years have you been a music therapist?  4 years

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  Just a week!

What populations have you worked with?  Individuals with developmental delays, trauma, and infants in the NICU and their families

What is the primary population you work with?  Infants in the NICU and their families, children under 5 with a variety of diagnoses, individuals with ASD

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  I am a part of this year’s Vocal Psychotherapy training group with Diane Austin. I also have a vested interest in the role of racial dynamics within music therapy clinical work and pedagogy.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My parents and my many music therapy supervisors throughout the years!

Few people know that I…  ALMOST was on the PBS show Zoom! when I was 8.

Education:  Florida State University, BM in Music Therapy, New York University, MA in Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Voice, guitar, piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I’m a part of an a cappella group called the Metrochords

Music Therapy

NOA FORT

What’s your name?  Noa Fort

Where are you from? Israel

How many years have you been a music therapist?  1.5

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  Since September 2017

What populations have you worked with?  Inpatient psychiatry – adults and children, Outpatient psychiatry – adults, Youth at risk, toddlers with developmental dissabilities

What is the primary population you work with?  Youth at risk

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  Development of music therapy programs

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Nina Simone, Meredith Monk, Georgia O’keeffe, Agnes Martin

Few people know that I…  Participated in the Israeli “sesame street” as a child singer 🙂

Education:  Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance – Bachelor of music peformance (jazz piano), NYU – Master of Arts, Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Piano, voice, guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  My own band – “Noa Fort and Band”, as well as “Red Exit” and other projecets, mainly improvised music.

Links: www.noafort.com, facebook.com/NoaFortMusic, , Fortisima

Music Therapy

MOLLY GORMAN

Music Therapy

TAL GUR

What’s your name?  Tal Gur

Where are you from? Brooklyn, but born in Israel

How many years have you been a music therapist?  8

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  6

What populations have you worked with?  Autistic spectrum disorder, head trauma (army veterans), multiple disabilities, stroke rehab, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, parkinson, mental health

What is the primary population you work with?  Autistic spectrum disorder

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  Nordoff-Robbins music therapy

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Thelonious Monk, Kendrick Lamar

Few people know that I…  Can eat lemon straight through

Education:  Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance – B.Mus performance art, saxophone Jazz major, Bar-Ilan University – Masters of Arts in Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Saxophone, vocal, guitar, bass guitar, drums

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I’m the head of “Mind Crossing” a multidisciplinary international project (video, dance, music, documentary) that tells the story of my grandparents survival of the holocaust, dealing with loss and choosing life. The project serves as a platform to proces

Links: https://talgur.net/, https://www.facebook.com/TalGur.music, , @talguru

Music Therapy

MELISSA HARRIS

What’s your name?  Melissa Harris

Where are you from? Lancaster county, PA

How many years have you been a music therapist?  4

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  5 (1 year of internship)

What populations have you worked with?  children, young adults, and seniors with a wide range of developmental, social and emotional needs.

What is the primary population you work with?  children with developmental needs.

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  I am experienced in helping people discover their own abilities and grow those abilities.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My clients inspire me with their joy and determination. My own children inspire me with their boundless creative energy. My colleagues and friends inspire me with their passion and commitment to growth and nurturance. Jack White inspires my own creative music making.

Few people know that I…  love backcountry hiking.

Education:  Penn State University, B.S. in Music Education, New York University: M.A. in Music Therapy. Teachers College, Columbia University: M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching.,

Instrument(s) you play:  Flute, guitar, piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I write my own music and play with friends. I also play chamber music occasionally.

Music Therapy

HANNAH HERSHMAN

What’s your name?  Hannah Hershman

Where are you from? Chicago, IL

How many years have you been a music therapist?  4

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  4

What populations have you worked with?  Children and adults with special needs, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer patients

What is the primary population you work with?  Children and adults with special needs

Do you have any other clinical specialties? 

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Stevie Wonder and all of my clients 🙂

Few people know that I…  want to open my own animal shelter!

Education:  Berklee College of Music, BA in Music Therapy, New York University, Master’s in MA (currently in progress),

Instrument(s) you play:  Voice, piano, guitar

Music Therapy

DAVID HERMAN

Music Therapy

AL HOBERMAN

What’s your name?  Al Hoberman

Where are you from? Long Island, NY

How many years have you been a music therapist?  about 4 years

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  2.5

What populations have you worked with?  Children and adults with developmental disabilities, at-risk children and youth, children with mental health issues, and medical populations of all ages.

What is the primary population you work with?  At risk youth

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  I have a special interest in family systems and family therapy, and incorporate this into my work with all populations, when appropriate.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  So many! From Gustav Mahler to the Grateful Dead, Miles Davis to Motown…

Few people know that I…  also am the co-founder/musical director of PlaYoga, a yoga class for young children and their parents

Education:  Brandeis University, Music History, New York University MA in Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Guitar and bass primarily, but I have a experience with a wide range of fretted strings and wind instruments

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I play bass in the band Supersmall, and am a regular performer with the Leave a Lasting Mark benefit concert series.

Music Therapy

MARIE LEWIS

What’s your name?  Marie Lewis

Where are you from? Queens, New York

How many years have you been a music therapist?  I’ve just received my certification and have been officially practicing for 6 months.

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  I’ve been affiliated with the conservatory’s music therapy program for 4 years, first as a volunteer then as an intern and now as a music therapist.

What populations have you worked with?  I’ve worked with clients aged 3-21.

What is the primary population you work with?  Children and adolescents with developmental delays

Do you have any other clinical specialties? 

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Sarah Vaughn

Few people know that I…  Have a twin brother.

Education:  BA in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA in Music Therapy from New York University,

Instrument(s) you play:  Guitar, Piano, My voice

Music Therapy

TODD O’CONNOR

What’s your name?  Todd O’Connor

Where are you from? Brooklyn

How many years have you been a music therapist?  12

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  7

What populations have you worked with?  adult psychiatric, palliative care, pediatric medical, children on autism spectrum and adults with developmental disabilities

What is the primary population you work with?  children on autism spectrum

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  medical music therapy

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  today it’s David Brooks, Barry Greenstein, George Lakoff, Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Can, Delta Spirit

Few people know that I…  am a closet farmer

Education:  , NYU masters degree in music therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  guitar, drums, trumpet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Creative Arts Therapy Supervisor at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai

Music Therapy

ANTHONY RISCIA

Music Therapy

NICOLETTE (NIKKI) SCHOEN

What’s your name?  Nicolette Schoen

Where are you from? Tarrytown, NY

How many years have you been a music therapist?  4

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  4

What populations have you worked with?  Geriatrics, psychiatric, early childhood, autism-spectrum disorders, developmental disorders

What is the primary population you work with?  Early childhood/pre-school

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  incorporating songwriting into music therapy

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Joni Mitchell & Oliver Sacks

Few people know that I…  Am a hardcore Yankee fan

Education:  BM in Music Therapy, n/a, n/a

Instrument(s) you play:  Voice, Guitar, Piano, Percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  My father is a musician (keyboard/organ) and songwriter so we have always shared a special musical bond. Whenever I am home in Tarrytown we will write music and perform together.

Music Therapy

JENNA SMITH

What’s your name?  Jenna Smith

Where are you from? North Carolina

How many years have you been a music therapist?  5

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  3.5

What populations have you worked with?  Children with emotional & behavioral needs in public schools and in the after-school setting, people of all ages with Autism and other special needs, and adults with mental illness.

What is the primary population you work with?  Children with behavioral & emotional needs in public schools.

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  Jenna follows a child-centered music psychotherapy model, aimed at accessing and cultivating a child’s creative potential in order to meet therapeutic goals, using techniques such as improvisation, songwriting & free play.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Stevie Nicks & Meryl Streep.

Few people know that I…  Love horses, I’m a total horse nerd.

Education:  Appalachian State University, Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy., University of Jyväskylä, Master of Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Voice, guitar, & piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Jenna writes pop songs and performs them with a band.

Links: jennasmithmusic.com, https://www.facebook.com/jennafelicesmith/

Music Therapy

RAFAEL STEPTO

What’s your name?  Rafael Stepto

Where are you from? Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been a music therapist?  2

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  2

What populations have you worked with?  Children, the medically fragile, people living with dementia

What is the primary population you work with?  Children

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  Medical, Dementia

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Anyone who is immersed in what they are doing.

Few people know that I…  love to build and look at furniture.

Education:  The New School, NYU, Masters in Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Guitar, piano and voice primarily.

Music Therapy

CHRISTINA STERRETT

What’s your name?  Christina Sterrett

Where are you from? Kobe, Japan

How many years have you been a music therapist?  7

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  6

What populations have you worked with?  Adults and children with developmental disabilities, including autism, Down’s syndrome, William’s syndrome, speech delays, global delays

What is the primary population you work with?  Children with developmental disabilities

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Sergei Rachmaninov

Few people know that I…  Speak Japanese

Education:  Geneva College, BA music and voice, New York University, MA Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Piano, guitar, voice

Music Therapy

ARIEL WEISSBERGER

What’s your name?  Ariel Weissberger

Where are you from? Monterrey, Mexico

How many years have you been a music therapist?  11

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  3

What populations have you worked with?  Inpatient psychiatry, substance abuse, HIV, Epilepsy, brain injury, youth at risk, medical, adult and pediatric rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s, palliative care, autism, mental health.

What is the primary population you work with?  Youth at risk, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, psychiatry, medical

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  my family, friends, colleagues, clients, Radiohead, Paul Motian, Miles Davis, Beatles, Antonio Sanchez, Mark Rothko, Joao Miro, Albert Camus, Terrence Malick, San Antonio Spurs, Messi

Few people know that I…  am a very good Soccer player

Education:  B.M double major in Music Therapy and Music Performance, M.A in Music Therapy New York University,

Instrument(s) you play:  Drums, percussion, guitar, piano, bass

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Greg Osei, Addi and Jacq, Robin Mitchell, Interface Theory, Agent Jeffreys

Links: musictherapynyc.com – arielweissberger.com, berkomusictherapy, berkomusictx, berkomusictherapy – arielweissberger

Music Therapy

TOBY WILLIAMS

What’s your name?  Toby Williams

Where are you from? Santa Cruz, California

How many years have you been a music therapist?  14 years

How many years have you been practicing music therapy at the Conservatory?  6 years

What populations have you worked with?  My clinical work now is with children with autism spectrum disorders, I have also worked in inpatient psych, adult cancer patients and adults recovering from open heart surgery.

What is the primary population you work with?  Children with Autism

Do you have any other clinical specialties?  I have a post graduate certificate in Vocal Psychotherapy. Supervision.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My Dad for his kindness and vision; My Mom for her creativity and willingness to be wacky; Stevie Wonder, Freddy Mercury, Ella Fitzgerald and Gwen Stefani.

Few people know that I…  Can juggle, do a triple time step and can recite most any line from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (The first one)

Education:  University of California at Irvine. Bachelors of the Arts in Psychology, Minor in Music completed., New York University. Masters of the Arts in Music Therapy,

Instrument(s) you play:  Voice, guitar, piano, percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Sometimes I sing some of the jazz with jazz type people