Founding members

Prof Annie Heiderscheit

Prof Annie Heiderscheit is a Professor of Music Therapy at ARU and Director of the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research. Her career as a music therapist has spanned over three decades as a clinician, supervisor, educator, researcher, author, and professional music therapy organisation leader. Her work has also integrated her training in marriage and family therapy to meet the wider needs of carers and families.

Dr Ming Hung Hsu

Dr Ming Hung Hsu is a Professor of Music Therapy in the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy, and at the Centre for Research in Music and Health at the Norwegian Academy of Music (Oslo, Norway). His work focuses on dementia and healthy ageing, particularly supporting people living with dementia, their families, and professional caregivers. He previously led a national music therapy service in UK care homes and is a Visiting Professor at ARU.

Dr Laurel Young

Dr Laurel Young is a Professor of Music Therapy at Concordia University (Montreal, CANADA). She served as the inaugural Associate Director of engAGE: Concordia Centre for Research on Aging (2017-2025). She continues her work there as a research member, a role she holds in other contexts including Concordia’s School of Health and the Centre for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology (CREGÉS).

Her music therapy career has spanned over three decades, wherein she has assumed multiple roles including that of clinician, researcher, educator, supervisor, author, speaker, trainer, advocate/ally, board member, and professional leader.

Dr Concetta Tomaino

Dr Concetta Tomaino is the Executive Director and co-founder, with renowned author neurologist Oliver Sacks, of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function. Dr Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of music and neurologic rehabilitation. She lectures on music therapy throughout the world and mentors young researchers as well as consults with technology companies to expand the use of music-based interventions in healthcare and wellness.

Her work has been featured in national programs, documentaries; in international programs including the BBC; and in books on health and healing. Dr Sacks' book Musicophilia is dedicated to her.

Dr Tomaino is a past President of the American Association for Music Therapy and was Vice President and founding board member for the International Association for Music and Medicine. She is an Adjunct Professor at Lehman College, CUNY.