Several celebrities are advocates or supporters of music therapy. Ben Folds has attended music therapy conferences and advocated for it in Washington DC. Joey Fatone founded a foundation that supports a music therapy program. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords received neurologic music therapy as part of her recovery from a brain injury. Jodi Picoult wrote a book featuring a music therapist and J.K. Simmons starred in a film about a music therapist helping a patient reconnect.

2. As music therapists, it can be a little disheartening when people don’t
know about our amazing field.
But fret not! Music therapy has some friends in high places! Here’s a
collection of celebrities who “get” music therapy. Some are advocates,
some are supporters, some are believers, and some are even recipients
of music therapy services!
See, we’re not THAT obscure…

3. Ben Folds
Musician Ben Folds has had a
prolific solo career, as well as with
his group, the Ben Folds Five.
Not only that, but he’s a big
supporter of music therapy! Ben
has attended music therapy
conferences, shared content from
this very blog on his Facebook,
and advocated for music therapy
in Washington DC!

4. Joey Fatone
Back in the 90’s and 00’s,
N’SYNC ruled the radio airwaves.
I’m going to refrain from quoting
lyrics here, because all I’d do is
get one of their catchy tunes stuck
in your head (you’re welcome).
Fatone has since set up a
foundation which has provided
funding to support a music therapy
program at the Arnold Palmer
Hospital for Children in his
hometown of Orlando!
Diiiiirty pop (sorry, couldn’t help
myself).

5. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Rep. Giffords was involved in a a
tragic mass shooting in her home
state of Arizona.
Facing a long road to recovery
from her brain injury, Giffords went
through many hours of therapy.
One of the treatments that has
been cited as playing a large part
in her recovery is Neurologic
Music Therapy, a type of music
therapy that utilizes techniques
targeting the brain and neural
functions.

6. Jodi Picoult
This famous author penned a book titled “Sing You Home,”
in which one of the central characters is a music therapist!

7. J.K. Simmons
Simmons played a leading role in
the 2011 film “The Music Never
Stopped,” about a young man who
experienced severe amnesia. The
only thing that connected him
social to those around him was
the music of his youth.
A central part of the film centers
on Simmon’s character working
with a music therapist to help his
son (in the film) reconnect with his
family.

8. Mickey Hart
The former drummer for the
Grateful Dead has connected with
the American Music Therapy
Association in the past. In fact, in
the film “The Music Never
Stopped,” the Grateful Dead play
an important role in the plot
surrounding the main character.

9. Bob Woodruff
This ABC News correspondent
sustained a severe brain injury
while covering the war in Iraq in
2006. Though he did not receive
music therapy or come out in
support of the field, he reported on
the recovery of Rep. Gabrielle
Giffords in an ABC News special,
which featured a large segment on
music therapy and its
effectiveness.

10. Want to know more?
The George Center offers high
quality music therapy services all
over the Atlanta area!
Not sure if it’s right for you? No
sweat! We offer a FREE
consultation!
www.TheGeorgeCenter.com/Blog