Carter's Story - Music Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Music that moves: Carter’s inspiring journey with IMNF

Meet Carter, a participant in IMNF’s Music Has Power® for PD program.


Carter and his wife discovered the program through a referral, and as artists and music enthusiasts, they were intrigued by its unique approach compared to traditional support groups. For Carter, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, the experience was transformative from the very first session.


He was amazed at how effortlessly he could walk to the rhythm of the music, finding a renewed sense of confidence and control. Even swaying his arms—something he had struggled with—became more natural with the music’s guidance. Encouraged by these breakthroughs, Carter began coming to each session prepared with a playlist of songs that helped him improve his mobility.


Through IMNF’s Music Has Power® for PD program, participants like Carter learn how to harness the therapeutic potential of music to enhance their health and wellness. The program also equips care partners with resources and training, empowering them to integrate music into daily routines for lasting benefits.


Carter’s journey is a testament to how music can inspire new possibilities, offering hope and a better quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.


Your support of IMNF helps make programs like this possible. Together, we can continue to provide life-changing opportunities for those who need them most.


To learn more about IMNF's Music Has Power® for PD program, visit the Services section on our website.


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Your donation helps support programs like Music Has Power®, bringing the therapeutic benefits of music to individuals like Carter and their care partners. Donate now to help us continue transforming lives through the power of music.

July 29, 2025
Maejor will be honored at the 2025 Music Has Power® Awards for his visionary work at the intersection of music, healing, and innovation. Join us in celebrating his global impact and commitment to advancing the therapeutic potential of sound.
July 28, 2025
Celebrating three decades of music-driven healing, research, and education, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function marks 30 years of transforming lives through therapeutic music.
July 23, 2025
Receive 10% off an annual subscription to Spiritune—a music-based app designed to support emotional regulation, focus, and well-being. Use code imnf10 at checkout.
July 18, 2025
Join the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function in New York City for a powerful gathering of leaders in music therapy, neuroscience, and aging care. The Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards brings together experts, innovators, and artists to explore the healing power of music and honor those advancing its impact.
July 16, 2025
Discover how music can regulate the nervous system and support healing in a new Westchester Magazine feature on IMNF Executive Director Dr. Concetta Tomaino. Learn how IMNF continues to lead in clinical music therapy.
July 8, 2025
Join IMNF founder Dr. Concetta Tomaino as she explores the powerful intersection of music therapy and neuroscience at CUNY’s ASRC. Discover how music is transforming care for people with neurological conditions.
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July 8, 2025
Mount Vernon, NY – June 2025 – The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) is proud to announce the launch of its Intergenerational Ukulele Club, a new initiative designed to bring people of all ages together through the power of music.
June 30, 2025
IMNF Executive Director Dr. Concetta Tomaino will speak at the JoySpan Brain Wellness Salon on July 18, exploring how music, rhythm, and frequency support neuroplasticity, memory, and healing in aging and cognitive care.
June 11, 2025
August 4, 2025 - Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino will present Music, Memory & the Aging Brain at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Learn how music-based interventions can improve memory, foster connection, and enhance quality of life in aging populations.
June 5, 2025
A groundbreaking new economic analysis from the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative—backed by AARP and conducted by Deloitte—has revealed what many in our field have long understood: music engagement is not just meaningful, it’s cost-effective. The study, part of the growing movement to integrate the arts into healthcare through the science of neuroarts, found that incorporating music engagement into the care of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease yields a return on investment (ROI) of up to $2.40 for every dollar spent annually. For individuals with Alzheimer’s, the ROI is estimated at $1.70 per dollar, and for caregivers, $0.70 per dollar. These findings are more than just numbers. They reinforce the real-world impact that music-based interventions—like those championed by the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function—can have on quality of life, emotional well-being, memory recall, and caregiver resilience. As an organization proudly listed among the NeuroArts Blueprint resource partners, IMNF has long been committed to advancing the science and practice of music and health. This new report gives validation to what our clinicians and partners have seen firsthand in care settings across the country. We encourage care providers, policymakers, and researchers to take note of this momentum and invest in scalable, person-centered music programs. Now is the time to bring music engagement further into the fabric of healthcare and long-term support. Read the full report: Link Watch the video overview: Link  Together, we can continue to transform care through the power of music.