Home | About | Speaker Series | Current

Speakers’ Series: Friday, June 25, 2021, 7:30 p.m. EDT

“Classical Music for Mental Health: Creating a Stigma-Free Zone,”
Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon

Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon are the co-founders of Me2/ (“me, too”), the world’s only classical music organization created for people living with mental illness. They will join DBSA Boston to talk about their own experiences with mental illness (he has bipolar disorder; she has anxiety & depression), how they started the Me2/ organization, and how they create a stigma-free zone for their musicians. To learn more about Me2/ prior to the discussion, please visit www.me2orchestra.org.

Ronald Braunstein (Music Director & Conductor) and Caroline Whiddon (Executive Director) co-founded Me2/ (“me, too”) out of a shared desire to utilize classical music to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. The organization is based in Boston, MA, and currently oversees ensembles in four states, including orchestras, chamber music groups, and a flute choir. Me2/ does not require any auditions or fees for participation. Approximately 50% of the musicians involved are living with a diagnosed mental illness. Every Me2/ performance includes great music along with compelling stories from the musicians about the realities of living well with mental illness.

Click here to watch the recording

Event Details