REBECCA J. FROMAN FREIMAN, MA, MT-BC
DIRECTOR & TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Originally from the Chicago area, Rebecca has been a clinician since 2005. Rebecca's undergraduate studies in music performance as an oboe major and in psychology were completed at the University of Michigan and she earned her Master's degree at University of Iowa in music therapy. As a music therapist, Rebecca has worked as a leader in the culture-change movement and staff member in residential long term and sub-acute care , established and implemented a music therapy program for a hospice care agency, and has facilitated music therapy individual and group sessions for a variety of clientele in many different settings as a private practitioner. She has made many contributions to the fields of health, eldercare, and the creative arts therapies including:
- Presenting at national and regional conferences as well as for local organizations about music therapy with older adults, dementia, neurological challenges, collaboration across disciplines, as well as multicultural awareness and competency in practice.
- Providing training for the Alzheimer’s Association National Headquarters, the Illinois Alzheimer’s Association, the Illinois Activity Professional Association, the American Society on Aging, and guest lecturing at colleges and universities.
- Supervising and mentoring several students in the fields of music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and art therapy.
- Publishing research in the hospital setting and about multicultural music therapy practice.
In recent years, Rebecca became an ambassador volunteer for Be The Match, the national bone marrow registry, and has worked with this organization as well as Gift of Life to help build this important resource. Rebecca is a board member of Northwest Compass in Mount Prospect, IL, and she and her husband volunteer with the Bridge Family and Youth Services in Palatine, IL where she is a youth mentor. One of her most important roles has been being a carepartner within her own family.
MIA ILIOPOULOS KRINGS, MM, MT-BC
CLINICAL TRAINING SUPERVISOR & TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
MIA ILIOPOULOS KRINGS, MM, MT-BC
CLINICAL TRAINING SUPERVISOR & TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Mia Iliopoulos graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music in music therapy and has a Master’s of Music in music therapy from Colorado State University with an emphasis on neuroscience-informed music therapy. Additionally, she is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. In 2017, Mia completed her music therapy internship with Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN. There, she created a pilot music therapy program using harmonicas with patients with COPD, other chronic lung diseases, and Parkinson's disease. The success of this program led to it becoming a permanent funded program. In addition to pulmonary rehab, she also worked in hospice and palliative care, The Frauenshuh Cancer Center, medical and surgical inpatient units at The Methodist Hospital, and Struthers Parkinson's Center.
Mia began her career as a staff member in a memory care community and helped a local hospice establish a music therapy program. Later in 2017, Mia began working at Vitas Healthcare, a nationwide hospice and palliative care company, in the Southwest Chicago suburbs. There, she built a very strong music therapy program and was awarded the Vitas B.E.S.T. award in 2019 and 2020 for Building Excellence, Satisfaction, and Teamwork. In 2018, Mia joined the Greater Chicago Music Therapy team and transitioned to a full-time team therapist in 2021. Working with GCMT allows her to advocate for music therapy on a larger scale and provide services to clientele she is deeply passionate about serving.
Currently, Mia serves as President of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy and the IL Representative on the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) Executive Board. In addition, Mia serves as a GLR Representative on the Assembly of Delegates of AMTA, which serves as the voting body of the Association, and an Assembly Representative on the AMTA Board of Directors. She has also previously served on the regional conference planning committees and is a frequent presenter at conferences and at surrounding Midwest universities on topics including harmonica protocols, Parkinson’s disease, hospice music therapy, and becoming a new professional.
ERIKA COWHEY, MA, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
ERIKA COWHEY, MA, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Born and raised in Chicago, Erika earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Psychology, with a minor in Honors Humanities at Azusa Pacific University. She went on to pursue her equivalency and master’s degree in Music Therapy at the University of Iowa. During her time at the University of Iowa, Erika worked with preschoolers, young adults with intellectual disabilities, adults on an acute psychiatric unit, and older adults with dementia. Erika also assisted with research on an NIH program investigating music perception and enjoyment for cochlear implant recipients at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Music Perception Lab. She conducted her own research about protecting and preserving hearing and presented her findings at a national audiology conference in February 2022. In May 2022, Erika completed her music therapy internship at Niles Township District for Special Education where she worked with neurodiverse students with multiple disabilities. Erika has seen the impact of music therapy on the social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual wellbeing of clients, and seeks to provide this support to her clients.
AARON KRINGS, MM, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
AARON KRINGS, MM, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Aaron is a board-certified music therapist and professional musician. He received his music therapy degree from Western Illinois University in 2016. Upon finishing course work, Aaron completed his internship at TrustBridge Health in Southern Florida where he worked with hospice patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary team. After his internship, Aaron continued to study music and received his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Western Illinois University. Aaron performs professionally, has toured nationally and internationally with the renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra, and teaches music lessons in addition to working with the Greater Chicago Music Therapy team. Aaron's expertise lies in using his dynamic musical background and skills to connect with his clients and create opportunities for connection, communication, creativity, and expression.
ELLYN WINSKI, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
ELLYN WINSKI, MT-BC
TEAM MUSIC THERAPIST
Ellyn Winski is a board-certified music therapist who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Dayton in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music in music therapy and a minor in psychology. Ellyn completed her music therapy internship at Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN where she facilitated individual, group, and family music therapy within hospice care, outpatient oncology, a Parkinson’s day center, and an inpatient eating disorders institute. Ellyn also conducted interview-based research and created a grant proposal to use heartbeat recording equipment with hospice patients. Park Nicollet adopted her program to support hospice patients and families with a unique form of legacy creation.
In March 2022, Ellyn joined the Greater Chicago Music Therapy team. She is also part of the VITAS Healthcare team where she currently works as a hospice music therapist. Ellyn provides creative, supportive, and personalized care to hospice patients, music therapy group and individual clients, and families. To support front-line staff, Ellyn leads a support program to provide mindfulness resources through weekly videos of reflections, music, and meditations.
Ellyn has completed a Level I Guided Imagery and Music certification, which allows her to use Focused Music Imagery experiences to promote relaxation, connection to self, and access to creative emotional supports. Ellyn also has foundational experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy. To stay connected with the music therapy community, Ellyn is a member of the Illinois Association of Music Therapy, the American Music Therapy Association, and participates in a monthly supervision group of board-certified music therapists.
Our Director was a featured
Illinois Association for Music
Therapy Member!
Click here to read her interview.
Our Director was a featured
Illinois Association for Music
Therapy Member!
Click here to read her interview.
Greater Chicago Music Therapy Inc. was featured in Voyage Chicago: Chicago City Guide!
Click here to read the article.
