Music has the power to bridge hearts and minds, and Rebecca Gladstone has dedicated her career to proving just that. As the founder of Gladly Music and a board-certified music therapist, Rebecca combines her lifelong love of music with a passion for healing and connection.
Through her work with diverse populations—ranging from children with autism to older adults in memory care—Rebecca creates profound, transformative moments that highlight the magic of music therapy. In this interview, we dive into her story, her approach to music therapy, and how she’s bringing music into more homes with programs like Notefully Nurtured™.
Get ready to feel the magic of music through Rebecca’s incredible journey!
Finding Harmony: Rebecca’s Journey to Music Therapy
TBN: What inspired you to pursue a career in music therapy, and how did Gladly Music come to life?
RG: Like most people, I hadn’t heard of music therapy, that was until my sophomore year of high school, when I started exploring potential careers. I’ve always loved music—singing, playing piano, and guitar—but I didn’t feel drawn to a career in music education or performance. At the same time, I had a passion for service jobs and was fascinated by healthcare and psychology. That’s when I stumbled upon music therapy, and it immediately clicked. It felt like the perfect combination of everything I loved.
I started learning as much as I could about the field—reading, researching, and connecting with local music therapists. The more I learned, the more my passion grew. I became confident in my decision to pursue music therapy and began preparing for college auditions, studying psychology, and volunteering with the various populations music therapists serve.
I went on to study music therapy at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and completed a six-month, full-time clinical internship in inpatient neurorehabilitation. After becoming board-certified, I realized that I loved working with diverse populations and wanted the autonomy of running my own practice. That’s when I decided to take the leap and start Gladly Music.
I founded Gladly Music with the vision of “bridging the heart and brain through music,” and I feel incredibly fortunate to bring this mission to life every day.
TBN: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work with diverse populations, from children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to older adults in memory care?
RG: I love this question, and my answer is always “the magic music therapy moments.” These are the moments when you create a genuine connection with a client through music. It might be a breakthrough with a stroke patient who has aphasia (difficulty producing speech due to brain damage) and suddenly begins to sing along, a non-speaking autistic child making eye contact and smiling during a “nonverbal musical interaction,” or someone directly sharing how music therapy has impacted their or their loved one’s well-being. These moments are incredibly rewarding and remind me why I love what I do.
Understanding Music Therapy
TBN: For those who may not know, can you explain what music therapy involves and how it can benefit different people?
RG: This is another favorite question of mine and one I get asked almost daily! Most people haven’t heard of music therapy unless they’ve worked with a music therapist themselves. Music therapy involves using music-based interventions to achieve non-musical goals. What this looks like varies completely depending on the individual or group I’m working with.
For example, interventions might include lyric analysis to support social-emotional goals, songwriting for self-expression and building confidence, singing exercises for speech initiation, enunciation, and language development, or playing instruments to enhance sensorimotor skills or facilitate nonverbal expression. And that’s just to name a few—there’s so much more that music therapy can offer!
TBN: Are there any specific techniques or approaches within music therapy that you find particularly effective for certain groups, like adolescents versus older adults?
RG: I am primarily trained in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which is an evidence-based approach consisting of structured techniques designed to address specific goals across various domains. These techniques were originally developed for older adults and neurorehabilitation patients but have since been adapted to support children and other populations.
When working in neurorehabilitation, I’ve found the technical NMT techniques to be incredibly effective. Outside of that setting, I rely on my understanding of the neuroscience of music as a foundation, but I also integrate intuition and improvisation based on my clinical experience. This combination allows me to adapt my approach to best meet the unique needs of each client, no matter the age or need.
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A Song That Heals: Real Stories of Music Therapy in Action
TBN: Can you share an example of a moment when you saw music therapy make a real difference in someone’s life?
RG: I’ve had so many special and meaningful experiences in my work! One example that stands out is when I was working with a stroke patient who had lost much of her cognitive functioning, including speech and memory. She was an older Jewish woman, so I decided to sing a traditional Jewish song for her. Her face lit up, and she sang along to every word.
This happened because music engages almost the entire brain and has the unique ability to bridge both sides, allowing undamaged areas to compensate. Her children were in the session, and they began to cry tears of joy, seeing their mother “come back to life.” They sang along with her, sharing a beautiful moment of connection. I know this is a memory they’ll cherish forever.
TBN: What are some common misconceptions about music therapy that you’d like to clear up?
RG: A classic line I often hear is, “I get music therapy every day! Music is my therapy!”. While it’s wonderful that people find personal healing through music, I want to clarify that music therapy is so much more than just listening to music to uplift your mood. It’s also not a form of entertainment.
Music therapy must be facilitated by a board-certified music therapist who uses evidence-based techniques to address a variety of goals. While some goals may be emotional or mood-related, music therapy is a purposeful, structured process designed to meet specific needs, whether they’re physical, cognitive, social, or emotional.
Making Music Accessible: The Notefully Nurtured™ Approach
TBN: Could you tell us more about the music-based parenting method you’re leading?
RG: Absolutely! I’m developing a music-based parent coaching program called Notefully Nurtured™. This method is designed to help parents naturally integrate techniques inspired by music therapy into their daily lives. It’s perfect for families who may not have the time, access, or resources to work directly with a music therapist but still want to experience the developmental benefits of music.
There are so few music therapists compared to the number of people who could benefit from this work, so my hope is that this program will help bridge that gap and bring the power of music into more homes in a meaningful and accessible way.
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A Melody of Growth: Rebecca’s Personal Reflections
TBN: What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did it shape you as a therapist and business owner?
RG: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career has been the inconsistency of work and the risk of burnout from overworking myself. When I first started seeing clients independently, I charged much lower rates, traveled long distances, and stretched myself too thin. Over time, I realized I needed to be more intentional about setting boundaries and valuing my time.
I’ve since adjusted by charging rates that reflect the quality of my services and limiting the number of clients I see. This ensures that I can give each client the energy and attention they deserve. That said, challenges like getting sick, clients canceling, or someone deciding to terminate services can still impact my income, which can be stressful.
To address this, I’ve been developing programs like Notefully Nurtured™, which provide more consistent income while offering families an accessible alternative to traditional music therapy services.
TBN: What would you say to someone considering music therapy but unsure if it’s right for them?
RG: My biggest piece of advice is to speak to a music therapist! Whether you’re considering music therapy as a potential patient or as a career, connecting with someone in the field is the best way to get a clear picture of what it’s all about. I’m always excited to chat with people about what I do, so if you’re curious, don’t hesitate to reach out to me through my website at www.gladlymusic.com.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
