Hands in Harmony

Nicole O'Malley founded Hands in Harmony in 2003. Nicole is an assistant clinical professor and director of URI's Music Therapy program. Nicole received a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Anna Maria College and a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music. She is a Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow and has completed level I neonatal intensive care unit training. She is the founder and executive director of Hands in Harmony, a local 501c3 nonprofit offering neurologic music therapy throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. She was the recipient of the Changemaker Award for Music Therapy Advocacy, Presidential Award for NER-AMTAS, and Ad Astra Advocacy Recognition Award.  She serves as the chair of the music therapy task force of Rhode Island (throughout the passing of the music therapy licensure in Rhode Island), the NER-AMTA Government Relations Representative, RI Arts and Health Network Steering Committee, and the RISCA PHG Overhaul Workgroup

Brian currently teaches in the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music . He has been active as a clinician, practicum site supervisor, course instructor, and researcher for over 23 years. Brian has extensive experience working and supervising within pediatric medical and psychiatric/substance use disorder facilities. He was involved with clinical work, research, and program development at Boston Children’s Hospital for over 20 years. Brian presented this past year on the topics of telehealth and promoting resilience at the International Association for Music and Medicine conference, Expressive Therapies Summit, and a global nursing webinar for SIGMA/ANPD. He is the current President of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association, AMTA Speaker of the Assembly on the Board of Directors, and the New England Region Representative for the Association's Internship Approval Committee. 

Kristi Rood joined the Hands in Harmony team 8 years ago. Kristi completed her MA in Music Therapy from the University of New York, specializing in Early Intervention. She is Level One certified in Guided Imagery (GIM) and received level 1 NICU training in 2017

Yi-ching Anita Chen, a board-certified music therapist, joined the Hands in Harmony team in June 2023. She received a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and recently graduated with her Master of Music Education degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas. Yi-ching has gained experience working with a variety of client populations, from premature infants to the elderly, with special interests in sensory processing in relation to music and its complexity within therapeutic settings. During her time at KU, Yi-ching has served as a clinical supervisor, teaching and providing on-site supervision for both undergraduate and graduate equivalency students. Yi-ching is excited to be joining the HIH team and serving clients around the state.

Olaia joined the HIH team in June 2021 as part of a Music Therapy Internship. In March 2022, she proceeded to join the team as a Board Certified Neurologic Music Therapist. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with a double major in Psychology from Loyola University New Orleans. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is bilingual and has experience working with diverse musical traditions, populations, cultures, and ages. She is a founding member of the Music Therapy Association of Puerto Rico and is the current president of the Latin American Music Therapy Network. In the field, Olaia provides services from birth to end of life, across a broad spectrum of therapeutic needs, and advocates for Music Therapy in the state. 

Rebecca joined the Hands in Harmony team in August 2022. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University and completed her internship at Children's Minnesota where she worked with patients at both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul campuses. Rebecca is excited to be joining the HIH team to work with clients all around the state of Rhode Island and continuing her education through her daily work.

Ashley joined the Hands in Harmony team in February 2025 after completing her Music Therapy Internship with the organization. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Music, specializing in Jazz Vocal Performance, from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2022. Following that, Ashley pursued her equivalency plus Master's degree in Music Therapy through the hybrid program at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ashley is excited to apply her passion for music and its therapeutic benefits to support and empower clients as part of the Hands in Harmony team.

Caitlin joined Hands in Harmony in February, 2025.

Katie joined the Hands in Harmony team in 2012 as the Office Manager. Katie studied education at Wheelock College and worked as a behavioral specialist for over 10 years. She oversees day-to-day operations and administration. 

Richard has been volunteering with Hands in Harmony for 4 years. He has been the Treasurer of NEACT for 10 years, and the Treasurer of Whitinsville Fish and Game Club for 5 years. Richard is an Adjunct Professor at Fitchburg State University and has taught chemistry for 17 years in addition to being a Chemical Engineer for 17 years.