Hello! My name is Gina, and I am a board-certified music therapist and arts instructor at Spectrum Creative Arts.
When I first heard of the music therapy profession in high school, it didn’t take long to spark my interest as I thought about the potential to explore this in my own career path. Through playing my clarinet for years growing up, music had played an important role in my life that allowed me not only to explore my creativity, but to make valuable connections through sharing that process with other people. The possibility of making the creativity and excitement of music more accessible to others led me to study music therapy at Nazareth College in Pittsford, NY.
A whole lot of life experiences inform my creative process today, from performing in dance recitals since the age of three, to teaching art classes in an Adirondack summer camp in college, to the start of my music therapy career in hospice and palliative care. I love creating supportive spaces for my students to feel comfortable and confident in expressing themselves and their many creative talents, and watching them grow as musicians and artists is truly a gift. I can’t lie, writing that last sentence brought a literal tear to my eye! I am so proud of them.
As a self-proclaimed homebody, I truly love spending quiet time at home, and my favorite ways to spend my time these days include writing and sketching in an overflowing collection of journals (always with Prismacolor pencils), constantly rearranging the many items of furniture and home décor that I have thrifted and upcycled over the years, and taking any opportunity I have to spend time outside for a walk, a bike ride, or a hike to clear my mind. I’ll leave you with a fun fact: My sister is also a music therapist, and I love calling her to share ideas!
