Teaching Artist Statement
Music offers a pathway for individuals to express themselves, discover their voice and build meaningful connections with others. Music therapy offers a way for everyone to experience these benefits of music. It seeks to use music intentionally to improve a person’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. It is very meaningful to me to journey with others as they discover the potential of music to promote wellbeing, growth and improve quality of life.
Teaching Bio
Leanne O’Connor, MA, MT-BC received a Bachelor’s in Music and Art from Gordon College and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Montclair State University. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and has clinical experience with individuals of all ages from preschoolers to seniors. Leanne has worked with individuals with autism and IDD and led music therapy groups with adults in psychiatric care during her practicum placements at Infinity Music Therapy Services and Clara Maas Medical Center in New Jersey. During her internship at SSC, Leanne led groups for seniors with memory impairments, while also meeting with individual clients and working with patients at the Pat Roche Hospice Home. Leanne started at SSC in Fall 2024.
Performance Bio
Leanne has played the cello for most of her life and discovered a love for music of every kind. She grew up playing in New England Conservatory Preparatory Orchestras and Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and participated in the Massachusetts All State Orchestra during high school. Leanne studied cello with Rafael Popper-Keizer during undergrad and Christine Lamprea during her master’s degree. She traveled with the Gordon Symphony Orchestra around New England during college and also to Ukraine where volunteered with Music Camp International. Leanne gained experience with the guitar, and found joy in playing and singing whenever she had the chance. Leanne had a variety of musical experiences in New Jersey where she was an active member of the Montclair State University orchestra, chamber music program and the cello ensemble while studying music therapy there. Leanne currently plays in the Brockton Symphony Orchestra.