Our Staff & Advisors
Our clinical services, research projects and on-going programs are guided by experts in the fields of medicine, music and music therapy, spanning a unique range of knowledge and experience. Our team includes a staff of six dedicated music therapists working in conjunction with a wide range of interdisciplinary teams which include physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists and other health care professionals throughout Beth Israel Medical Center.

Music Therapy Staff

Dr. Joanne Loewy MT-BC, LCAT Director
Phone (212) 420-3484
Fax (212) 420-2726
Email: JLoewy@chpnet.org

Joanne Loewy DA, LCAT, MT-BC is the Director of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, which among many populations is serving musicians and their unique ailments including chronic fatigue, chemical dependency, performance anxiety and overuse. She oversees the Department of Music Therapy which she started at Beth Israel in 1994. Dr Loewy has conducted research in sedation, assessment, pain, asthma and NICU music therapy. Her areas of specialty are assessment, hermeneutic research, trauma and supervision. Dr. Loewy is the Editor in Chief of the international, peer reviewed journal 'Music and Medicine' and serves on several editorial boards including the Cochran Palliative Care review and the Journal for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her doctorate from NYU. Dr Loewy has edited several books including Music Therapy in Pediatric Pain, Music Therapy in the NICU, and she co-edited Music Therapy at End of Life and Caring for the Caregiver: Music Therapy in Grief and Trauma and the new Integrative Advances in Music and Medicine: Music, the Breath and Health.  Dr. Loewy is a Founding Member of the International Association for Music and Medicine and guest lectures at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and in the Hahnemann Creative Arts Therapy graduate music therapy program at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Marie Elena Grippo, BA, MA Executive Assistant
Phone (212) 420-2704
Fax (212) 420-2726
Email: MGrippo@chpnet.org

Marie is the executive assistant of The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine. She majored in vocal performance and has traveled throughout the US and western Europe performing baroque/classical opera and chamber music as well as participating in numerous composers' forums in the New York area. She was a soprano soloist for many years in several church and synogogue choruses in the New York tri-state area. She is currently a student in the Creative Arts Therapy program at The New School in New York City.

The Louis & Lucille Armstrong Music Therapy Program for inpatients

John Mondanaro, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, CCLS Clinical Director
Phone (212) 420-2722
Fax (212) 420-2726
Email: jmondana@chpnet.org

John Mondanaro MA, MT-BC, LCAT, CCLS earned a M.A. in Music Therapy from NYU, and B.A. in Art from St. Ambrose University. He holds certification in Child Life and in the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse, bringing expertise to the psychosocial care of pediatric patients and their families. Additionally, John brings a rich work history in the area of epilepsy and neuroscience with over eight years experience in the care of pediatric through adult patients living with neurological illness and/or injury. John’s philosophy on health care is that giving voice to the creative spirit is of cardinal importance to meeting the holistic needs of an individual, and is central to an integrative approach to health care. John has published various articles to this end and has additionally composed and produced two full-length recordings of original music. As Clinical Director for the Louis & Lucille Armstrong Music Therapy Program, John oversees inpatient services and the internship program. He also serves as an adjunct staff member at NYU, contributing to the selection of candidates for the Master of Arts in Music Therapy Program, and as clinical supervisor for interning students. He is a member of the American Music Therapy Association, the Certification Board of Music Therapists, The Child Life Council, and the American Society of Composers, Artists, & Publishers.

The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine for outpatients

Melanie Acosta Po, MA, MT- BC, LCAT, Music Therapist
Asthma Inintiative Program (AIP)
Phone: (212) 420-2719
Fax: (212) 420-2726
Email: MAcosta@chpnet.org

Melanie May Po, MA, MT-BC holds an MA in Music Therapy from NYU and a BA in Communication Studies from Vanderbilt University.  She also holds a Post-Master’s Level I Advanced Training Certificate from the Nordoff Robbins Center for Music Therapy.  Melanie is the Asthma Initiative Program (AIP) music therapist researching the effects of music therapy through the use of wind instruments in children and adolescents with Asthma. Melanie has also provided music therapy services for children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with a variety of developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.   Melanie comes to the music therapy field with 15 years experience as a professional singer, bringing with her a deeply rooted philosophy and belief in the power of music as a form of communication and as a tool to form healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual connections.  Melanie is a member of the American Music Therapy Association, Certification Board of Music Therapists, Actor’s Equity Association, Screen Actor’s Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. 

Bernardo Canga, MMT, Music Therapist
Advances in Respiration (AIR), Cardiac Advances in Rehabilitation (CAIR)
Phone: (212) 420-2709
Fax: (212) 420-2726
Email: BCanga@chpnet.org

Bernardo Canga, MMT holds a Superior Degree in Music from Conservatorio de Oviedo (Spain), specialized in Violin and Viola. His commitment to underserved populations led him to participate in international programs that combine Global Health and At-Risk Youth. He earned a Masters in Music Therapy from the Potificial University of Salamanca. His Master Thesis on Non-verbal Processes of Communication in Intellectual Disabilities was presented at the VIII European Music Therapy Congress. He completed a clinical fellowship at Beth Israel where he participated in research studies of Music Therapy and Oncology, as well as Environmental Music Therapy. He is the music therapist in the Music for AIR (Advances in Respiration) and Music for CAIR (Cardiac Advances in Rehabilitation) programs, providing outpatient and inpatient music therapy services for adults with heart disease and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These programs include a randomized, controlled research study of the effects of music therapy in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Angela Ferraiuolo-Thompson, MA, MT-BC, Music Therapist
NICU Music Therapist
Phone: (212) 420-2743
Fax: (212) 420-2726
E mail: AFerraiuolo@chpnet.org

Angela Ferraiuolo-Thompson, MA, MT-BC is the NICU Music Therapist at BIMC and at St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital. She is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received the David Ott Scholarship award for outstanding music therapist. She holds a BA in vocal performance from West Virginia University.  Angela was team member of the Heather on Earth multi-site NICU research study at Beth Israel since in its inception. Additionally, Angela piloted and instituted a music therapy program for homeless infants in Jersey City where she continues to practice today. Angela has witnessed and believes in the healing power of music for infants and their families both in and outside of the hospital setting. 

Andrew Rossetti MMT, MT-BC  Music Therapist
Radiation Oncology
Phone: (212) 420-2710
Fax: (212) 420-2726
E mail: ARossetti@chpnet.org

Andrew is the music therapist in the radiology oncology treatment center at Phillips Ambulatory Care Center and BI West. He has developed several music therapy programs in hospitals both in the United States and in Spain including a comprehensive NICU music therapy program at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago as well as programs in acute and out-patient psychiatric units at the Hospital del Mar, and the Centre Forum Psychiatric Facility in Spain where he was a professor in the music therapy masters program at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. In private practice in Spain, Andrew developed a multi-modal model along with Psychiatrist Dr. Javier Rubio for their co-treatment of psychiatric patients. Andrew received his Masters  in Music Therapy from the Facultad de Psicologia Blanquerna at Ramon Llull University in Barcelona Spain. He studied at the Julliard School and holds a Bachelor’s in classical guitar performance from the Westchester Conservatory of Music. Andrew’s extensive experience as a professional musician has allowed him to tap into the emotional and metaphoric power of music, employing it in a variety of arenas in clinical practice.

Stephan Quentzel, MD, JD, MA
Music & Health Clinic, Medical Director
Phone (212) 844-8387
Fax (212) 420-2726
Email: Squentze@chpnet.org

The graduate of integrated dual residencies in family medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Quentzel practices both with a comprehensive view of the patient. Being triple boarded in psychiatry, family medicine and holistic medicine serves him well in his roles as the Medical Director of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine and the Medical Director of Psychiatry for the Institute for Urban Family Health, both in New York City. Dr. Quentzel was, until recently, the Chief of Primary Care Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, where he helped residents and faculty members in family practice, internal medicine, OB-GYN, pain medicine and palliative care, and the medical specialties to better integrate psychiatry in their medical settings. He continues to teach psychiatrists and psychiatry residents to collaborate well with their primary care colleagues and to pursue best practices approaches to psychiatry. Dr. Quentzel is an assistant professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and he is a senior clinician at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing. In addition, he runs a private practice in psychiatry and integrative medicine in New York City . Dr. Quentzel graduated from the University of Illinois with the degrees of MD, JD and MA in Health Policy. He believes strongly that “all things are connected” when it comes to the pursuit of comprehensive and optimal health and wellness for those seeking care at the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine.

Ronit Azoulay, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, Research Consultant

The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine: The Music & Health Clinic
Medical Staff & Advisors

Joanne Loewy, DA, MT-BC, Director
Music Therapy Assessment
Music Sub-Specialty Services

Stephan Quentzel, MD, Medical Director
Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine  

Marie Grippo, Executive Assistant  

Lisa Auerbach, MD, FACP
Internal Medicine, Union Square Medical Group  

Bernardo Canga, MMT
Music for Advances In Respiration (AIR)
Music for Cardiac Advances in Rehabilitation (CAIR)  

Ricardo Cruciani, MD, PhD
Neurology, Psychiatry
Pain Medicine and Palliative Care  

Lori Garjian, MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Acupuncture  

Melanie Acosta, MA, LCAT, MT-BC
Music Therapy Outreach  

Ronald Hoffman, MD
Otology: Cochlear Implants and Balance Disorders Specialties 

Glenn Kashan, MD
Internal Medicine, Union Square Medical Group  

Peter McCann, MD
Orthopedic Surgery: Shoulder and Elbow Specialty  

Charles Melone, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery: Hand Specialty  

Mark Persky, MD
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery  

Russell Portenoy, MD
Pain Medicine and Palliative Care  

Jonathan Raskin, MD, FCCP
Internal Medicine and Respiratory Diseases  

Stephen Scelsa, MD
Neuromuscular Division and Electromyography Neurology  

Robert Sheu, MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Interventional Pain Medicine and Palliative Care Specialties  

The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine: The Music & Health Clinic Steering Committee

Mr. Kevin Bernard
Ms. Sherry Bronfman
Mr. Stanley Crouch
Ms. Barbara S. Davis
Ms. Gwendolyn DeLuca
Ms. Susan Devins
Ms. Laurelyn Douglas
Ms. Mercedes Ellington
Mr. Jon Faddis
Ms. Mary Fuss
Ms. Ellen Lewis Gideon
Mr. Andre Guess
Ms. Jackie Harris
Ms. Ilene Harrison
Ms. Lisa Helmrich
Ms. Phoebe Jacobs
Ms. Laurie Kanyok
Dr. Scott Kessler
Mr. Herb Klitzner
Mr. Erik Lawrence
Mr. Arthur Lebowitz
Ms. Rebecca Lebowitz
Dr. Peter McCann
Ms. Colleen McDonough
Ms. Kathy McGovern-Kearns
Ms. Meredith Monk
Mr. Marc Morial
Mr. James Briggs Murray
Mr. Jeff Nissim
Mr. Robert O'Meally
Mr. Joe Piccinnini
Dr. Russell Portenoy
Dr. Stephan Quentzel
Mr. Jonathan Raskin
Ms. Carol Rubiano
Ms. Elaine Schain
Mr. Howard Schain
Mr. Frank Stewart
Mr. Charles Sturcken
Mrs. Lynn Tescher
Ms. Patty Weiner

AIP Steering Committee
Goldie Alfasi, PhD, Psychologist, Family Medicine, BIMC
Wednesday Clark, Former patient and participant of the AIP program/study
Sheila Clark, Parental participant and Community Liason for AIP
Unit Emre, MD, Pediatric Pulmonologist, BIMC, LICH
Margo Guzman, RNC, MSN, Nurse Manager, Pediatric Associates, BIMC

Music for AIR Steering Committee
Jonathan Raskin MD, FCCP Internal Medicine & Respiratory Diseases
Wendy Egan, Social Worker
Elaine Espinosa, Director, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
Corinne Rey, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
John Sutera, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
Louise Youngson-Klasfeld, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health  

Music for CAIR Steering Committee
Dr, Richard Stein, MD, Cardiologist
Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, MD, Cardiologist
Wendy Egan, Social Worker
Elaine Espinosa, Director, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
Corinne Rey, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
John Sutera, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health
Louise Youngson-Klasfeld, Physical Therapist, The Center for Cardiac & Pulmonary Health

In Memory of Marcheline Charpie

Micheline Charpie, MD (Swiss diploma), MA, LCAT

Micheline Charpie the NICU music therapist of The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Roosevelt Hospital and Beth Israel Medical Center died on January 3rd, 2010. She received her MD from the Lausanne, Switzerland, Medical School and trained in neonatology. She also held a PhD in medicine and was a board certified pediatrician. Micheline was an Assistant Professor for Children and Adolescent Gynecology at Lausanne University Hospital. Upon moving to the United States, Dr. Charpie received an MA in Music Therapy from NYU. She trained in NICU Music Therapy at Beth Israel Medical Center and conducted trials as part of the Heather on Earth music therapy multi-site research study. Micheline additionally trained as a psychoanalyst at the Institute for Expressive Analysis in NYC. She is survived by her four children Thomas 24; Timothée 23; Anne-Camille 20 and Maëlle-Charlotte 19.