Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center

05/08/2025

04/15/2025

“Thank you for joining us for Music Therapy Week! 🎶 We’re grateful for our team’s commitment to healing through harmony. 💙 Share your music therapy story below!”

04/15/2025

🎵 Meet Dana Benoit, MBA, MT-BC (Dana) 🎵
Role: Music & Medicine Clinical Research Specialist
Joined the team: June 2024
Dana is the newest member of our team — and we’re excited for the music ahead!
First Concert Attended: Earth, Wind & Fire at Darien Lake in 1995
Go-to Karaoke Song: Violet (Hole)
Leisure Activities: Play music and go outside!

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/14/2025

🎵 Meet Sam Snyder, MT-BC (Sam) 🎵
Role: Music Therapist
Joined the team: January 2024
Sam is already striking a chord with patients through the power of music.
First Concert Attended: Moxy Fruvous at “Thursdays at the Square” in Buffalo (First crowd surf: The Offspring)
Go-to Karaoke Song: Somebody to Love (Queen)
Leisure Activities: Play RPG and open world survival craft video games

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/14/2025

🎵 Meet Leigh Kirby, MS, MT-BC (Leigh) 🎵
Role: Music Therapist
Joined the team: July 2023
Leigh is a vibrant new voice in our team, making meaningful musical memories.
First Concert Attended: Debbie Gibson - The Electric Youth Tour in 1989
Go-to Karaoke Song: What's Up? (4 Non-Blondes)
Leisure Activities: Hang with friends and family, nature walks, sing, dance, partake in shenanigans, and nap

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/13/2025

🎵 Meet Molly Pow, MS, LCAT, MT-BC (Molly) 🎵
Role: Music Therapist
Joined the team: June 2022
Molly brings joy and connection through every session she leads.
First Concert Attended: Martina McBride
Go-to Karaoke Song: Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan)
Leisure Activities: Going on adventures with my son, husband, and friends, hiking/fitness, knitting, hosting dinner parties, reading, theater/concerts, and watching movies

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/13/2025

🎵 Meet Madeline Mitchell, MT-BC (Madeline) 🎵
Role: Music Therapist
Joined the team: August 2021
Madeline’s gentle rhythms and compassion make a big impact on our patients.
First Concert Attended: Marina and the Diamonds
Go-to Karaoke Song: This House is Not a Home (Luther Vandross)
Leisure Activities: Read fiction, care for my plants, weight lift, play D&D, play video games (RPGs mostly), eat good food, and snuggle my animals

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/13/2025

🎵 Meet Gaelen McCormick, M.Mus (Gaelen) 🎵
Role: Director, Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center
Joined the team: 2018
Gaelen leads with creativity and care, bringing the power of the arts to healthcare spaces.
First Concert Attended: Huey Lewis and the News! And I couldn't hear anything for a full day afterward with all the excess noise exposure....
Go-to Karaoke Song: I'm a sucker for a throw-back, so something like "If I Had a Hammer" but trust me, you do NOT want to hear me sing!
Leisure Activities: I love to explore the parks and go hiking, and on less-good weather days, I'll be at the Eastman Museum and the Dryden Theater.

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/13/2025

🎵 Meet Gaelen McCormick, M.Mus (Gaelen) 🎵
Role: Director, Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center
Joined the team: 2018
Gaelen leads with creativity and care, bringing the power of the arts to healthcare spaces.
First Concert Attended: Huey Lewis and the News! And I couldn't hear anything for a full day afterward with all the excess noise exposure....
Go-to Karaoke Song: I'm a sucker for a throw-back, so something like "If I Had a Hammer" but trust me, you do NOT want to hear me sing!
Leisure Activities: I love to explore the parks and go hiking, and on less-good weather days, I'll be at the Eastman Museum and the Dryden Theater.

04/13/2025

🎵 Meet Elaine Kong, MM, MT-BC (Elaine) 🎵
Role: Music Therapist
Joined the team: August 2015
Elaine has been harmonizing healing for nearly a decade — a true rockstar!
First Concert Attended: Josh Groban's Awake Tour at Blue Cross Arena
Go-to Karaoke Song: Count on Me (Bruno Mars)
Leisure Activities: Traveling with my husband, son and friends, coffee and dinner dates, trying new foods, and building Lego sets

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫

04/11/2025

🎵 Meet Rosie Obi, MS, LCAT, MT-BC (Rosie) 🎵
Role: Music Therapy Program Manager and Internship Director
Joined the team: October 2000
We’re so grateful for Rosie’s leadership and dedication to shaping the next generation of music therapists!
First Concert Attended: Milli Vanilli (prior to their downfall)
Go-to Karaoke Song: Goodbye Earl (The Chicks) or Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)
Leisure Activities: Spend quality time with my 2-year-old son and listen to true crime podcasts (not at the same time!)

Let’s spread the word and the rhythm this World Music Therapy Week! 💫