About Us
Welcome to Music As Medicine RX! Where kids use music, kindness, and God’s love to spread happiness everywhere we go! What started with one kid playing piano for seniors has grown into a whole group of friends who share the same mission: to make the world brighter through music and compassion. We’re a team of students who enjoy playing instruments, singing, volunteering, laughing, and lifting others up. Some of us play piano, guitar, violin, or trombone, and some of us sing. No matter our talent, we all believe that music makes people feel good and that God calls us to help others with the gifts He gave us.
Our favorite thing is visiting retirement homes to play live music and spend time with seniors. We love seeing them smile, clap, and sometimes even dance! Moments like these remind us that small acts of kindness can make someone’s whole day feel lighter. But our mission doesn’t stop there! Together, we raise money to buy musical instruments for children in underprivileged communities. We want every child to have the chance to learn music, discover their talents, and feel God’s love through the joy it brings. We’re just a group of kids with big hearts, big dreams, and a big purpose, using our music to shine God’s light, one song and one smile at a time.
Meet The Team
Ethan
Founder and Youth President
Sana - Vice President
of Operations at #1 HS
Yeohak - Vice President
of Member Engagement at #1 HS
Simon
Junior High School President
Will
Junior High School Vice President
Bria
President at #2 HS
Diya
Vice President at #2 HS
Phoebe
Executive Secretary at #1 HS
Natalia
Hospital Program Director
Greta
Senior Homes Program Director
MJ
Foster Care Program Director
Francis
Member Engagement Director
Ade
Member Engagement Coordinator
Gavin
Member Engagement Coordinator
Rodrigo
Social Media Director
Patricio
Sales and Product Director
Board of Directors
At Music As Medicine Rx, our team is brought together by the love of music and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. We believe that sharing a gift, no matter how small, can bring joy, comfort, connection, and hope to someone who needs it most.
Together, we are creating opportunities for young musicians to use their talents with purpose while bringing meaningful moments of music to seniors, children in foster care, patients, and families throughout our community. Healing Minds and Hearts, One Note at a Time.
Amy Ong
Chair
Jessica Brice
Vice Chair
Lori Sarti
Secretary
Mauricio Levet
Treasurer
Izayah Gomez
Music Director
Monica Mitby
Governance Advisor
Marcella Herrera
Director
Thank You To Our Partners and Sponsors
How Does Music Affect The Brain?
- When Science Meets Music -
Student Researcher
Interviewed Dr. Frederick Lang -
Chairman of Neurosurgery Department
MD Anderson
First Place - Gold Medalist
Junior High School Science Fair
I am blessed and honored to be able to interview and learn from the amazing Ms. Deforia Lane about Music as Medicine.
Our story began with one simple act of kindness. When Ethan was only 10 years old, he started visiting retirement homes to play piano for seniors. He didn’t know it then, but those small visits would spark a mission much bigger than he imagined. Every time he played, he saw something amazing. People relaxed, smiled, and even cried happy tears. He noticed that music didn’t just entertain people… it changed the way they felt. That curiosity grew into a Science & Engineering Fair project called “Music As Medicine Rx: How Does Music Affect the Brain?” Ethan dove into neuroscience studying brainwaves, emotional health, and how sound interacts with the human nervous system. His research revealed that music affects the brain in powerful ways: Alpha waves (associated with calmness and relaxation) increased when seniors listened to soothing music. Theta waves (linked to emotional healing, memory, and deep relaxation) appeared when seniors listened to nostalgic or meaningful songs. Beta waves (responsible for alertness and focus) increased with upbeat music, helping seniors feel more energized and awake. Music strengthened the brain’s neural pathways, supporting better memory and emotional regulation. Sound vibrations stimulated the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in reducing stress and promoting well-being. MRI studies showed that music activates the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions releasing dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Heart rates and breathing patterns became more stable when listening to live music, showing clear effects on the autonomic nervous system. Ethan also learned that many seniors suffer from anxiety, depression, and deep loneliness and that a painful percentage of senior suicides stem from isolation. His research showed that music, especially live music combined with personal connection, can dramatically improve mood, calm anxiety, and make seniors feel valued and remembered. That project changed his life. Ethan realized that music wasn’t just a hobby, it was a form of healing. And he believed God was calling him to use the gifts he was given to help others. Soon, his friends joined him. Some played instruments, some sang, and some simply came to spend time with seniors who needed love, conversation, and joy. Together, they saw how powerful it was when science, compassion, and music came together. What started as a science project grew into a movement. As the group expanded, they wanted to help even more people including children in underprivileged communities who didn’t have access to instruments. They began fundraising to buy violins, keyboards, guitars, and recorders for kids in underprivileged communities, giving them the same chance to experience the brain-boosting, life-changing power of music. Today, Music As Medicine RX is a growing team of young people who blend neuroscience, faith, kindness, and music to bring healing to others. Every visit, every performance, and every donated instrument is another chapter in our story, one that continues to grow, one smile and one song at a time.