Concetta M. Tomaino
Encyclopedia
Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, D.A., MT-BC, LCAT (born July 30, 1954), is a pioneer in the field of music therapy
for individuals suffering the effects of stroke
or other brain trauma or are afflicted with such degenerative neurological diseases as Parkinson’s
or Alzheimer’s. Tomaino is the executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
and senior vice president for music therapy at Beth Abraham Family of Health Services
(the daughter of a green-grocer and what was then called a ‘stay-at-home’ Mom), young Concetta Tomaino made her connection to music early, adopting the trumpet
as her instrument of choice (as it remains to this day, though it is joined by the piano
and accordion
, her main choice for therapy). The first girl in her family to attend college, Concetta enrolled at Long Island’s Stony Brook University in 1972 as biology major on the pre-med track, but by her junior year, a continuing passion for music moved her to change her major to music (much to the initial chagrin of her parents who saw her future morph from medicine to musician).
Forming a synaptic-like connection between music and medicine, Concetta turned her energies to music therapy
, creating independent study courses because there was no music therapy program at Stony Brook. Concetta Tomaino graduated from Stony Brook University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and minors in psychology and sciences and an abiding interest in the emerging field of music therapy.
By 1980, Concetta Tomaino had joined Beth Abraham as the only music therapist (then part of the facilities department of recreation) and began to notice patients in the dementia unit responding positively and in some cases with remarkable speed, to music. She delved deeper into the neurological underpinnings as it became clear that music therapy had more to offer patients than a mere diversion from their everyday existence.
It was at Beth Abraham in 1980 that she became acquainted with the eminent and acclaimed visiting neurologist in long-term care, Dr. Oliver Sacks
. The author of a breakthrough book called “Awakenings
” (later made into a movie starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams
), Tomaino found a valuable ally in Dr. Sacks when it came to championing the benefits of music therapy. Indeed, in his newest book “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
” (Knopf, 2007) Dr. Sacks recounts case-examples of their long collaboration, adding that Connie Tomaino "has been my co-worker and adviser in all matters musical for more than twenty-five years.[1]"
In addition to her long-standing contributions with Dr. Sacks (including his 1995 volume An Anthropologist on Mars
), Dr. Tomaino’s work has been featured in such other books as A Matter of Dignity by Andrew Potok, The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell, Sounds of Healing by Mitchell Gaynor, M.D. and Age Protectors (Rodale Press) and covered nationally and internationally by such leading television programs and networks as the BBC and such CBS News’ staples as 60 Minutes and 48 Hours.
Concetta Tomaino earned a Masters and Doctor of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University
in 1998.
In addition to her responsibilities as executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and senior vice president for music therapy at Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, Dr. Tomaino is a member of the faculty of the Brookdale Center on Aging and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
and serves on the visiting faculty of Berklee College of Music
and Shenandoah University
.
Previously, she sat on the Certification Board of Music Therapists, the Journal of Music Therapy, and was a member of the advisory boards for the Center for Alternative Research at the Kessler Institute, and the International Journal of the Arts. She was also a Super Panelist participant in the GRAMMY in the Schools program and worked as an adjunct clinical supervisor for several music therapy programs in the New York area.
Music therapy
Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their...
for individuals suffering the effects of stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
or other brain trauma or are afflicted with such degenerative neurological diseases as Parkinson’s
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
or Alzheimer’s. Tomaino is the executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function is a US nonprofit organization conducting research into and applying music therapy. It is located in The Bronx, New York City....
and senior vice president for music therapy at Beth Abraham Family of Health Services
Biography
Born and raised in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(the daughter of a green-grocer and what was then called a ‘stay-at-home’ Mom), young Concetta Tomaino made her connection to music early, adopting the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
as her instrument of choice (as it remains to this day, though it is joined by the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, her main choice for therapy). The first girl in her family to attend college, Concetta enrolled at Long Island’s Stony Brook University in 1972 as biology major on the pre-med track, but by her junior year, a continuing passion for music moved her to change her major to music (much to the initial chagrin of her parents who saw her future morph from medicine to musician).
Forming a synaptic-like connection between music and medicine, Concetta turned her energies to music therapy
Music therapy
Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their...
, creating independent study courses because there was no music therapy program at Stony Brook. Concetta Tomaino graduated from Stony Brook University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and minors in psychology and sciences and an abiding interest in the emerging field of music therapy.
By 1980, Concetta Tomaino had joined Beth Abraham as the only music therapist (then part of the facilities department of recreation) and began to notice patients in the dementia unit responding positively and in some cases with remarkable speed, to music. She delved deeper into the neurological underpinnings as it became clear that music therapy had more to offer patients than a mere diversion from their everyday existence.
It was at Beth Abraham in 1980 that she became acquainted with the eminent and acclaimed visiting neurologist in long-term care, Dr. Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks
Oliver Wolf Sacks, CBE , is a British neurologist and psychologist residing in New York City. He is a professor of neurology and psychiatry at Columbia University, where he also holds the position of Columbia Artist...
. The author of a breakthrough book called “Awakenings
Awakenings
Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks's 1973 memoir Awakenings. It tells the true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks, fictionalized as American Malcolm Sayer and portrayed by Robin Williams who, in 1969, discovers beneficial effects of the then-new drug L-Dopa...
” (later made into a movie starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
), Tomaino found a valuable ally in Dr. Sacks when it came to championing the benefits of music therapy. Indeed, in his newest book “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain is a 2007 book by neurologist Oliver Sacks about music and the human brain. The book was released on October 16, 2007 and published by Knopf....
” (Knopf, 2007) Dr. Sacks recounts case-examples of their long collaboration, adding that Connie Tomaino "has been my co-worker and adviser in all matters musical for more than twenty-five years.[1]"
In addition to her long-standing contributions with Dr. Sacks (including his 1995 volume An Anthropologist on Mars
An Anthropologist on Mars
An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales is a 1995 book by neurologist Oliver Sacks consisting of seven medical case histories of individuals with neurological conditions such as autism and Tourette syndrome...
), Dr. Tomaino’s work has been featured in such other books as A Matter of Dignity by Andrew Potok, The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell, Sounds of Healing by Mitchell Gaynor, M.D. and Age Protectors (Rodale Press) and covered nationally and internationally by such leading television programs and networks as the BBC and such CBS News’ staples as 60 Minutes and 48 Hours.
Concetta Tomaino earned a Masters and Doctor of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1998.
Awards and affiliations
A past president of the American Association for Music Therapy, Dr. Tomaino is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, most notably the Award of Accomplishment from Music Therapists for Peace at the United Nations; the Touchstone Award from the organization Women In Music, and the Zella Bronfman Butler Award (from the UJA-Federation of New York and the J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation) for “outstanding work on behalf of individuals with physical, developmental or learning disabilities. " She was honored with the Music Has Power Award in 2004 for her outstanding contributions to the field of music therapy and for her vision, leadership, research, and service to the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function. In February 2008 America.gov, the website of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs, listed Dr. Tomaino as one of the innovators that help reshape reality.In addition to her responsibilities as executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and senior vice president for music therapy at Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, Dr. Tomaino is a member of the faculty of the Brookdale Center on Aging and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine is a graduate school of Yeshiva University. It is a not-for-profit, private, nonsectarian medical school located on the Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus in the Morris Park neighborhood of the borough of the Bronx of New York City...
and serves on the visiting faculty of Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
and Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University is a comprehensive private university located in Winchester, Virginia in the United States. It has an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students across more than ninety programs in six schools: College of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah...
.
Previously, she sat on the Certification Board of Music Therapists, the Journal of Music Therapy, and was a member of the advisory boards for the Center for Alternative Research at the Kessler Institute, and the International Journal of the Arts. She was also a Super Panelist participant in the GRAMMY in the Schools program and worked as an adjunct clinical supervisor for several music therapy programs in the New York area.