Instrument/Department: Expressive Arts, Music Therapy
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2024
Kathleen Cornwell earned her Bachelor’s Equivalency Certificate in Music Therapy from Nazareth University in May 2024. She also holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College, where her primary instrument was clarinet. Kathleen interned at Friendly Home in Brighton, and earned her Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC) in April 2024 and completed the Neurologic Music Therapist training in May.
She taught band, choir, and general music in public and private schools in Wayne County for over 30 years before making the career change to music therapy. Kathleen is the choir and bell choir director at the First United Methodist Church in Newark. She is also a long-time member of the Newark Park Band, and served as an officer in the Wayne County Music Educators’ Association for many years.
After years of working with children K-12, Kathleen has found a new passion for working with older adults. During Kathleen’s internship, she worked with elders in individual and group settings. She supported clients who were recovering from a stroke, facing the end of life, or living with dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, or depression and anxiety. She is looking forward to leading music therapy sessions at eldercare facilities in the Rochester community and providing individual sessions here at Hochstein.
More About Kathleen Cornwell
Hometown: Newark
Family: My husband is Jason, who has a classical guitar degree and maintains an impressive number of stringed instruments. We have two grown kids, Luke and Mara.
What inspires me: Connecting with people through music!
Why the arts matter: Arts are at the heart of who we are, reflecting our lived experiences and helping us understand the experiences of others.
Favorite things to do in the Rochester area: Seeing shows at Geva and the Auditorium Theater, and taking in the art at the Memorial Art Gallery.
My favorite local restaurant: Branca in Pittsford
Favorite places to travel: My family recently traveled to Barcelona and would love to make a second trip to Ireland.
What people would be surprised to know about me: My family can’t say no to rescue kitties, and now care for 9 of them, plus a little dog!