On April 16, 2025, voices filled Cincinnati Music Hall — not just with song, but with purpose, for World Voice Day: Music as Medicine — a vibrant celebration of the healing power of voice and music.
A live video stroboscopy involves Renee Gustin, Katelyn Reid and Lauren Mikhail, University of Cincinnati Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Sterling Finkbine, director of vocal music at Cincinnati School for Creative & Performing Arts. Photo/Flavia Fanchini.
Organized by the UC Department of Otolaryngology, alongside partners including the Osher Center for Integrative Health and Cincinnati Opera, the event featured live performances from Jessica Rivera, Elliot Madore, Reed Gnepper, Hannah Bourgeois and the Miami University Choraliers. Attendees explored music’s role in health and wellness through interactive talks, including a live vocal cord demonstration, a mindfulness session and a body mapping workshop. A panel discussion brought together medical and music experts to discuss the mind-body-voice connection. The evening closed with a joyful audience sing-along and reflections from John Tew, MD, underscoring music’s unique power to unite and heal.
Among the most moving moments of the day was a presentation by Betsey Zenk Nuseibeh, introducing her research initiative called Project Resonance — an innovative study exploring how songwriting and singing can help reduce stress and foster healing for Black and African American breast cancer survivors.
Betsey Zenk Nuseibeh Affiliated music therapist, Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC
Betsey Zenk Nuseibeh, Osher Center-affiliated music therapist, introduces her research initiative called Project Resonance. Photo/Flavia Fanchini.
Currently, there are more than 4.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., with up to 50% reporting ongoing symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression. For Black and African American women, these emotional burdens are intensified by systemic gaps in culturally specific care.
Project Resonance was created to address that gap — not just through therapy but through creativity. Centering the voices of Black survivors, the project invited participants to co-write original songs that reflect their journeys, honor their strength and create community through shared expression.
As Nuseibeh explained, “Songwriting isn’t just a stress reliever — it’s a bridge, a way to connect deeply, to be heard and to heal together."
From their collective voices came two original songs: Unbreakable (A Song for Survivors) – Gospel, by Jalynn Simmons and Victorious – Reggae, by Juls Marie Lawrence.
CCM musical theatre student Hannah Bourgeois performs “Unbreakable (A Song for Survivors)," an original song created from Project Resonance. Photo/Flavia Fanchini.
Following Nuseibeh’s presentation on Project Resonance, “Unbreakable (A Song for Survivors),” an original song written by composer Jalynn Simmons as part of the study was performed live by CCM musical theatre student Hannah Bourgeois, who recently lost her aunt to breast cancer. The song became even more poignant with the student’s voice and story.
The performance was followed by a restorative experience led by Sian Cotton, PhD, director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC. Cotton guided attendees through a mindful listening and present moment awareness practice
— inviting everyone to truly tune in and mindfully listen. Her session offered a powerful reminder of the effects that music and being mindfully present can have on health, while also announcing developing plans for a new music therapy program at UC — a collaborative effort between the Osher Center, the College of Medicine, the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and UC Health.
Sian Cotton, PhD Director, Osher Center at UC
Sian Cotton, PhD, guides participants through a mindful listening and present moment awareness practice. Photo/Flavia Fanchini.
According to a growing body of research, listening to or making music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms. Performing or listening to music activates a variety of structures in the brain that are involved in thinking, sensation, movement and emotion. This type of brain activity may have physical and psychological benefits. Cotton said, "I am excited to announce our developing a music therapy program at the Osher Center — a powerful step forward in our mission to bring whole-person healing to our community. Music has a profound ability to support healing, connection and emotional well-being. As we begin this journey, we’re inspired by the possibilities ahead and the impact this work can have in our community."
The Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC, one of only 11 Osher Centers in the world, is transforming health care from one that primarily focuses on the treatment of chronic disease to one that also prioritizes prevention and self-care by combining conventional medicine with integrative therapies and lifestyle medicine, empowering people to become active participants in their overall well-being. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals living with chronic conditions. Practices such as a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern; physical activity; acupuncture; massage therapy; nature; the arts and mind-body techniques are used to prevent, treat and even reverse chronic diseases.
Featured image at top: Live performance by the Miami University Choraliers at World Voice Day. Photo/Flavia Fanchini.
April 18, 2025
On April 16, 2025, voices filled Cincinnati Music Hall — not just with song, but with purpose, for World Voice Day: Music as Medicine — a vibrant celebration of the healing power of voice and music.
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© 2025 University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
2600 Clifton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45220
513-556-0000
© 2025 University of Cincinnati
