PROJECT: MUSIC HEALS US is a non-profit organization whose mission is to defy social barriers, build unlikely connections, and create compassionate communities by bringing high-quality, interactive music programming to individuals in carceral systems, healthcare settings, and under-resourced international communities.
An I.C.U. doctor felt despair at how little could be done for the sick. Soon, she had musicians playing over the phone in hospital rooms.
In chaotic emergency rooms and intensive care units around New York City, coronavirus patients struggle to survive in isolation, with masked doctors and nurses keeping their distance and family visits barred. Alarms, monitors and overhead announcements blare incessantly.
A national spotlight on the power of music to transform lives in isolation.
Project: Music Heals Us was recently featured in the Sound Health Network’s video series Shorts, a collection of stories illustrating the profound impact of music on health and healing. Hosted by neuroscientist and PMHU board member Dr. Indre Viskontas, the episode highlights our unique approach to bringing music into carceral settings—where individuals facing isolation use composition as a tool for expression, resilience, and rehabilitation. With over 27,000 free concerts delivered, this feature affirms the heart of our mission: to restore dignity and connection through the universal language of music.