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Welcome to the Institute  for Music and Neurologic Function

At the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), we believe in the power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives. Founded by pioneers in the field, we offer training, clinical support, and community programming that bring the therapeutic benefits of music into healthcare and wellness settings.

Our message is simple: Music has power. Everyone can benefit from music—and for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other neurologic challenges, access to music must be a part of healthcare and daily life.

What We Do

Education & Training

We offer professional development for healthcare staff, music therapists, and caregivers, including continuing education and our signature certification programs.

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Consultation & Support

Through our Music-in-Care Consultation, we guide institutions and individuals in implementing effective, evidence-informed music strategies that support neurologic, cognitive, and emotional health.

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Community Engagement
Through programs like MUSIC & MEMORY®, we support thousands of individuals living with dementia, trauma, and other challenges—helping them reconnect with their identities and loved ones through personalized music.

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Outpatient Music Therapy Services

Our outpatient services offer individualized music therapy for people of all ages. Sessions support neurologic, emotional, and physical well-being through evidence-based interventions tailored to each person’s needs.

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Get Involved 

There are a number of ways you can volunteer to support the IMNF, including working directly with our music therapists or becoming an ambassador for IMNF services. No matter how you choose to lend your support, your contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Together, we can continue to harness the remarkable healing power of music and inspire positive change in our communities.

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Latest News & Events

New NeuroArts Blueprint Report Shows Strong ROI for Music Engagement in Alzheimer’s Care

June 5, 2025
A groundbreaking new economic analysis from the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative—backed by AARP and conducted by Deloitte—has revealed what many in our field have long understood: music engagement is not just meaningful, it’s cost-effective. The study, part of the growing movement to integrate the arts into healthcare through the science of neuroarts, found that incorporating music engagement into the care of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease yields a return on investment (ROI) of up to $2.40 for every dollar spent annually. For individuals with Alzheimer’s, the ROI is estimated at $1.70 per dollar, and for caregivers, $0.70 per dollar. These findings are more than just numbers. They reinforce the real-world impact that music-based interventions—like those championed by the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function—can have on quality of life, emotional well-being, memory recall, and caregiver resilience. As an organization proudly listed among the NeuroArts Blueprint resource partners, IMNF has long been committed to advancing the science and practice of music and health. This new report gives validation to what our clinicians and partners have seen firsthand in care settings across the country. We encourage care providers, policymakers, and researchers to take note of this momentum and invest in scalable, person-centered music programs. Now is the time to bring music engagement further into the fabric of healthcare and long-term support. Read the full report: Link Watch the video overview: Link  Together, we can continue to transform care through the power of music.

Join Us for a Special Ukulele & Hula Performance – and the Launch of the IMNF Ukulele Club!

April 25, 2025
May 15, 2025 - This special event is open to all who want to make music, connect, and have fun!

IMNF Collaborates on 2025 Renée Fleming Neuroarts Investigator Grant

April 17, 2025
In collaboration with the award recipient, Dr. Daniel Bowling of Standford University, IMNF’s music therapist, Sarah Fogler and Dr. Tomaino will explore how music therapy can be translated into a digital therapeutic for young adults with depression and anxiety.”
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Recommended Reading

IMNF Executive Director, Dr. Concetta Tomaino—a pioneer in the therapeutic use of music in healthcare—shares over 40 years of clinical and research experience in this essential practitioner’s guide. Written not just for music therapists, but also for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and direct care staff, this book offers practical, proven strategies for using music to enhance quality of life and care across senior healthcare settings. 

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