— OUR APPROACH —
Opens minds
Music and art disrupt habitual ways of thinking. When we’re stuck in mental ruts or rigid perspectives, creative experiences jolt us out of autopilot and create openings for fresh insights and ways to approach problems.
Why music & art?
We believe moving people forward requires more imagination and creativity – not more information.
Why facilitation?
We believe every group has extraordinary potential just waiting to be tapped into.
Art and facilitation are powerful tools for connection.
We make sure this approach serves everyone, not just the few.
We don’t just talk about equity. We put it into action.
At the heart of Sonic Connections lies a deep-rooted commitment to cultural humility. For us, all meaningful transformation happens when people are able to embrace the limitations of their own perspective and learn from experiences beyond their own.
This belief drives our approach: Our team facilitates so that every voice is heard while elevating underrepresented and marginalized perspectives that are often drowned out in traditional gatherings.
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You don’t have to wonder if our spaces are meant for you.
We’re explicit about our focus. Communities we’re especially eager to serve include:
- LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA-NH/PI)
- Hispanic and Latino communities
- Persons experiencing mental health challenges or living with disabilities
- Economically disadvantaged or low-income individuals
- Veterans, including those actively serving and their families
- First-generation, international, and nontraditional students and professionals
- Seniors and older adults
Most importantly, your financial situation won’t determine access to our work.
We operate on a values-driven, pay-what-you-can pricing model because transformation shouldn’t require wealth, and underrepresented groups have faced historic and systemic barriers to accessing quality programs. As a queer-led organization, we remove those barriers by offering subsidized and pro bono experiences to underserved groups.
Don’t just take our word for it!
We have the numbers and testimonials to back up our approach.
76%
said we helped them embrace challenges in service of their personal and professional growth.
77%
are more likely to be aware of their day-to-day experiences without getting lost in them.
71%
felt it fostered a meaningful sense of belonging and connection with others in their group.
77%
are more likely to embrace challenging situations without trying to avoid or control them.
81%
believe it equipped them with skills and resources to improve their mental well-being.
78%
are more likely to act in alignment with their values, even when faced with obstacles.
* Based on n = 1,549 participants from 2023-25.
(Want to see the research behind these numbers? Access our raw evaluation data.)
Numbers only tell part of the story.
Our approach is shaped by qualitative feedback from our partners and participants. We capture diverse experiences through evaluations and use the data to continuously refine our work.
Browse these insights by category to get a deeper look at our impact:
Sacred Heart University
Student Participant
“I felt very enlightened and was able to explore my thoughts with the help of music.”
University of Michigan
Student Participant
“The facilitator helped me realize that my thoughts, feelings, and experiences surrounding overwhelm, fear, and anxiety are normal things every human encounters and struggles with. Also, that these challenges can exist and I can still be who I desire to be by embracing them without shame and making a choice on my actions after recognizing what I’m experiencing.”
SUNY Broome
Counseling Services Chair
“Sonic Connections offers a creative and innovative way to support one’s wellness in an all-inclusive and comfortable environment. I cannot rave about the entire experience enough!”
Princeton University
Student Participant
“This workshop gave me tangible things I can do when I feel stressed. I felt the benefit in the moment.”
Montclair State University
Student Participant
“There can be space for negative thoughts and fears, but I don’t have to feel powerless. I learned that taking any kind of step towards wellness is still a step in the right direction.”
Diablo Valley College
Student Participant
“Sonic Connections is amazing! I felt relaxed but determined with the music, inspired by the prompts, and totally remade by the experience. I felt alive!”
Stony Brook University
Staff Participant
“This helped my team feel way more confident in ourselves, acknowledge our issues, and become more willing to achieve our goals. I personally will have extra patience, especially for those I work with, even when I’m stressed or under a lot of pressure and time crunches.”
University of Hartford
SGA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Chair
“Thank you for an amazing workshop. Going through it really made me realize the importance and impact it can have on the campus community. And you got students to engage which is rare, so hats off to you for that. We will definitely be in touch about a Part Two.”
Diablo Valley College
Faculty Participant
“Thank you for the immersive experience. Psychology should be taught this way. Very exciting way to learn about the practicalities of navigating sensitive topics.”
Santa Barbara City College
Student Participant
“Today’s workshop connected to something that matters to me and actually made me wonder why I am here and what my purpose is.”
Siena College
Senior Director of the Women’s Center
“This program is life-changing. You actually walk out of the room with tools you can immediately apply in your life and career. It created a powerful insight that I can choose to focus on my values and not allow the heavy stuff to get in my way.”
Haverford College
Student Participant
“I really connected with the experience of just taking time to listen and notice. I would love to continue to foster this relationship with music and mindfulness.”
Guttman Community College
Student Participant
“Stories don’t have to guide our actions. I learned to move through feelings and thoughts.”
Long Beach City College
Staff Participant
“Coming into this space, we were stressed and in our heads. Now, we’re leaving way more collected and clear-headed.”
Fashion Institute of Technology
Staff Participant
“I absolutely loved this workshop. It helped me think about my unhelpful thoughts in a new way, and gave me PRACTICAL exercises to come away with.”
Ready to create immersive experiences that stick?
Get in touch to talk through your goals and how we can reach them together.
