About Us
Sound Mind, (formerly known as “Classical Musicians Roundtable,”) was founded in 2019 by three musicians in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago who were passionate about conversations around mental health.
Musicians face unique circumstances that put us at a higher risk of mental illness. According to Music Minds Matter, musicians are three times more likely to experience depression than the general public. 71% of musicians have suffered from panic attacks and/or high levels of anxiety, and 68.5% have suffered from depression. In response, Sound Mind is creating the space in the music community for artists to relate to and empathize with one another through open conversations about how classical music has affected their wellbeing. Starting this conversation is the essential first step in destigmatizing mental health.
Our Team
Alexandria Hoffman
Co-Founder and Executive Director
contact
Alexandria Hoffman is a freelance flutist and mental health advocate based in Chicago, IL. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, and has appeared as a soloist with Yo-Yo Ma. Alex was previously acting Associate Principal Flute in the Auckland Philharmonia, and has held fellowship positions at the New World Symphony (2021-24) and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (2018-21).
Alex’s passion for mental health led her to co-found Sound Mind, a non-profit organization that cultivates mental wellness in the classical music world. She holds a Master’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, video games, and playing with her dog, Barry.
Jeannette Marie Lewis
Associate Director
contact
Jeannette Marie Lewis is an adventurous flutist based in Arlington, VA. Committed to reaching diverse audiences through creative programming, she recently received her doctorate in Flute Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition to working with Sound Mind, Jeannette currently serves as Principal Flutist with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra (PA), Teaching Artist with the DC Youth Orchestra Program, and Artistic Administrator with The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD). She loves drinking bubble tea, going for walks, and watching reality TV.
Dan Monte
Podcast Editor
Dan comes from a long line of Portuguese and Canadian musicians settled in Southeastern Coastal Massachusetts. He deeply enjoys collaborating with other artists, and has been seen playing Off-Broadway (J2 Spotlight Theatre Comp.), and accompanying Modern & Improv Dance Classes (Rutgers University). Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College, and a master’s degree in Music Performance from Rutgers University. Dan is also an avid composer of contemporary classical music, jazz, pop, and commercial music. Currently, Dan lives in Massachusetts, where he teaches music at UMASS Dartmouth, produces podcasts, and enjoys drinking coffee, cooking, and playing chess.
Amber Lewis
Social Media Manager
Amber Lewis is a vocalist hailing from Long Island, New York. She earned her BA in Journalism from Stony Brook University with a double concentration in Music and Women’s and Gender Studies. During her four years of undergrad, Amber served as the Music Director of the Stony Brook Vocalists. At present, she works at the Staller Center for the Arts as a Content Manager and Photographer. Amber’s passions for storytelling and activism intersect when covering issues that affect communities most vulnerable—with a heart for making a difference, she strives to use her art to promote social change.
Board of Directors
Nicolas Gonzalez
Board Chair
Nicolas Gonzalez currently serves as the Community Engagement and Education Manager for the Stamford Symphony. As an arts administrator, Nicolas strives to make all music programs accessible, interactive, and used as a service to others. He holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Studies, MA in Arts Administration, MPA in Nonprofit Management, and BA in Film with certifications in Music and Business, all from Indiana University.
Clara Donaldson
Board Member
Clara is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who lives and works in Chicago. She delivers therapy in a group private practice in Wicker Park and has experience counseling individuals, couples, and children for a variety of mental health issues. She is especially passionate about counseling creative folks and musicians, since she is a violinist and a member of the classical music community. She is also a clinical supervisor for therapists in training and enjoys mentoring other mental health professionals. She holds an Ed.S. Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and a B.Mus. Degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University.
Carl Evans
Board Member
Carl is the CEO/Chairperson of the Hope for Us Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing transformational change in mental health care through proactive prevention practices to achieve effective mental health care and suicide prevention. Carl has developed the Proactive Suicide Prevention Theory and his work disrupts the highest risk factors for mental health crises. He works to implement transformational change in mental healthcare at community and institutional levels nationwide. Previously, Carl worked for Hope for the Day.
Julisa Fusté
Board Member
Julisa Fusté is an arts lover and advocate with 15 years of fundraising experience. As Vice President of Development for the New World Symphony (NWS), she oversees an eight-person team responsible for securing $12M+ in annual operations funding from individual, government, foundation, and corporate sources. Julisa is a collaborative leader who values the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy to facilitate inter- and cross-departmental work. She shares NWS’s vision of a strong and secure future for classical music and is passionate about making the field more equitable and inclusive. Her hobbies include doing crossword puzzles, baking, and fighting the patriarchy.
Bethany L. Pereboom
Board Member
Bethany believes that music is a powerful tool to connect people and is passionate about engaging people in her community as well as in the concert hall. She is a Viola Fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and enjoys exploring art and music with toddlers as a Kindermusik educator. Bethany has studied with Peter Slowik, Michelle LaCourse, and Bradley Ottesen of the Fry Street Quartet, and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Utah State University and a Master of Music from Boston University in viola performance. Bethany is a devoted auntie, eternal dog-lover, and avid cyclist.