2025 Annual Research Symposium

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Breakthroughs in Music, Sound, and Dementia Research

Monday, March 31, 2025
6:00 - 7:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)

The Times Center, 242 W 41st Street, New York City
*The Times Center is located at 242 W. 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Join us for our 2025 Annual Research Symposium, where leading researchers, practitioners, and care partners will explore how music and sound affect the brain, why recognition of music endures even in the late stages of dementia, and the promising frontiers of sound-based interventions. Our expert panel will illuminate the profound ways music and sound can foster connection, communication, and quality of life for people living with dementia.

Michael Sheldrick | Moderator
Co-Founder, Global Citizen

Michael Sheldrick is a policy entrepreneur, author and a driving force behind the efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty and build climate resilience. As a Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Affairs Officer, he has mobilized over $43 billion in support for healthcare, education and climate from governments, businesses, and foundations. Michael is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and the author of the Amazon best-selling book, From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World (Wiley: 2024).

Sarah Lenz Lock, JD | Panelist
Senior Vice President for Policy and Brain Health, AARP

Sarah Lenz Lock, JD is SVP of Policy and Brain Health for AARP where she leads initiatives on brain health and care for people living with dementia, including serving as the Executive Director of the Global Council on Brain Health, an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors, and policy experts. Ms. Lock represents AARP in the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations.

Ms. Lock is a frequent writer and public speaker on issues related to healthy aging. Previously, she served as Senior Attorney/Manager at AARP Foundation Litigation conducting health care impact litigation on behalf of older persons and authoring numerous amicus briefs on health care issues impacting older Americans.

Dr. Connie Tomaino | Panelist
Founder, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function

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 40-plus years of research in the clinical applications of music and neurologic rehabilitation. She lectures on music therapy throughout the world. Her work has been featured in national programs, and documentaries; in international programs including the BBC; and in books on health and healing.

Joy Allen, PhD, MT-BC | Panelist
Chair, Music Therapy Department, Berklee College of Music

Joy Allen, PhD, MT-BC, is a clinician, researcher, and educator specializing in psychological health, medical music therapy, and trauma-informed practices. As Chair of Music Therapy and Founding Director of the Music & Health Institute at Berklee College of Music, she leads program development, educational programming, research curation, and the Music & Health Innovation Studio. A sought-after consultant and speaker, Dr. Allen collaborates with leaders in community health and higher education to advance music-informed solutions for global healthcare challenges.

Stephani Shivers, MEd, OTR/L | PanelistChief Innovation Officer, CaringKind

Stephani Shivers, MEd, OTR/L, is the Chief Innovation Officer at CaringKind, where she spearheads the creation and execution of groundbreaking programs and services for individuals and families impacted by dementia. With over 35 years of nonprofit leadership in senior living, healthcare, research, education, private foundations, disability services, and startups in the U.S. and Europe, Stephani is uniquely positioned to translate cutting-edge research into impactful, real-world solutions. As an occupational therapist specializing in cognitive function, she is nationally recognized as a leader in community-based services maximizing the abilities of those impacted by dementia to increase quality of life.

Olivia Cohen, MS, MT-BC, LCAT | Panelist Director of Early-Stage and Engagement Services, CaringKind

Olivia Cohen, MS, MT-BC, LCAT is the Director of Early-Stage and Engagement Services at CaringKind. Olivia is a board-certified music therapist and licensed creative arts therapist with over 12 years of experience working in long-term care, healthcare, and with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. She has presented at regional music therapy conferences and the national LeadingAge Expo. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Huffington Post, Chasing News, and Aging Today.

 

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