May Creative Arts

We’re excited to welcome Bri to the May Creative Arts team! 🎶

Bri will be facilitating our group at GiGi's Playhouse Buffalo, supporting children with Down syndrome through music and creative expression.

Brianna (Bri) Nilsen is a board-certified music therapist, educator, and mental health therapist with degrees in Music Education, Music Therapy, and Social Work. She uses music and the creative arts to support emotional expression, communication, and overall wellbeing across the lifespan.

Bri has experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and those navigating serious illness. Her holistic, trauma-informed approach integrates music therapy with mindfulness, body-based awareness, and evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, and ACT.

Bri is passionate about helping individuals connect, express themselves, and access the healing power of music. We’re so happy to have her on the team! 💛

For children with medical needs, music is so much more than sound — it’s comfort, communication, and connection. 💫

Through music therapy, kids can express feelings they don’t yet have words for, reduce anxiety during medical treatments, build motor and cognitive skills, and simply experience joy in the moment.

A song can calm a racing heart. A rhythm can support movement and coordination. A melody can make a hospital room feel a little more like home.

Music meets children where they are — and helps them heal, grow, and feel seen. 💙

Curious about how music therapy can support mental health in a hospital setting? Discover how BryLin Hospital is integrating this powerful approach through our latest collaboration—read the full article!

Music Therapy at BryLin Hospital: Healing Through Creative Care Music therapy at BryLin Hospital brings healing to children, adolescents, and adults in crisis through creative, trauma-informed care.

🎶 MAJOR NEWS from May Creative Arts! 🎶
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of music therapy services at BryLin Hospital — a groundbreaking step for Buffalo and Western New York, where access to in-hospital music therapy has been nearly nonexistent.

For a city that has long needed more creative, trauma-informed care, this is a milestone. Our board-certified music therapists are now partnering with medical teams to bring patients the healing power of music — helping reduce stress, process emotions, and reconnect with themselves in times of crisis.

This isn’t just a program — it’s a shift in what care can look like in Buffalo. It’s the first of its kind here, and we’re just getting started. 💙

Deep thanks to BryLin Hospital for recognizing that true healing includes the arts.

🎶 Welcome, Miley Heisler, MT-BC! 🎶
We’re thrilled to welcome Miley Heisler to the May Creative Arts Therapy team!

Miley is a board-certified music therapist serving the Buffalo-Niagara region. She brings a rich background in working across settings including education, stroke/TBI recovery, geriatric care, neurodiverse populations, and more.

Her client-led, inclusive, and affirming approach ensures that every session is a safe and supportive space. Whether you're working toward recovery, self-expression, or personal growth, Miley will meet you where you are—and help you go even further through music.

We’re so excited for the impact she’ll bring to our community. 💛🎵

Interested in scheduling with Miley? Feel free to message us!

🎶💙 March was both Music Therapy Month & Social Work Month—a time to celebrate two powerful professions dedicated to healing and support!

🎵 Music Therapy uses evidence-based music interventions to improve cognitive, emotional, and physical health. Certified Music Therapists (MT-BCs) work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, and more, helping people with everything from anxiety to PTSD.

💙 Social Work is one of the fastest-growing professions, with over 700,000 social workers in the U.S. alone. These advocates support mental health, child welfare, and social justice, providing critical care in hospitals, schools, communities, and more.

And we couldn’t be prouder of our incredible team! Huge shoutout to our amazing music therapists Colleen, Jacob, Megan, and Caroline for bringing the power of music to those who need it most. And to Katie, our phenomenal social worker, whose compassion and dedication change lives every day.

We are beyond grateful for your work and the impact you make! 🎶❤️

🌟 Inspiring Change at WNY's "Spread the Word for Inclusion" Event! 🌟

This month, owner of May Creative Arts had the honor of attending the WNY Spread the Word for Inclusion event, a powerful initiative that highlights the importance of creating an inclusive world for all. 💙

It's so important for us to understand that every word we use matters, especially when it comes to fostering an environment of respect and kindness. Unfortunately, the use of the R-word is on the rise, and it's time we put an end to it. The R-word perpetuates stigma and discrimination, and it's up to all of us to make sure we're spreading respect instead of harmful language.

Join the movement! 🌍 Let's help raise awareness and show that words have power. Be part of the solution by taking the pledge to stop using the R-word and spread inclusion everywhere we go.

For more info and to take the pledge, visit ➡️ Spread the Word Global

🌟 A Huge Thank You to the Weber Family! 🌟

We are deeply grateful for the generous donation from the Weber family! 🙏 Their support through the Matt's Music Charitable Foundation is making a significant impact in our community.

With this funding, May Creative Art's therapist Colleen Milholland is able to provide music therapy at the North Tonawanda Learning Center, and three additional therapists from May Creative Arts are able to bring their sessions to those who need them the most. 🎶💙

This incredible gift will ensure that these vital services continue throughout 2025, helping even more individuals experience the healing power of music therapy.

We can't thank the Webers and Matt's Music Charitable Foundation enough for making a difference in the lives of so many. 🌟

🎶 Join us for a fun and uplifting music group at GiGi's Playhouse Buffalo designed for adults! Whether you're a music lover or just looking to explore your creativity, this group is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and have fun with others.

✨ Best part? It’s billable through self-direction!

Don’t miss out – come enjoy the power of music in a supportive, inclusive environment.

🌟Spotlight on Kate Jean- May Creative Art's Social Worker! 🌟

Katie's journey began at Matt's Music in North Tonawanda, where she grew up in a musical family and witnessed firsthand how the creative arts can profoundly impact everyday life. She's now taking her passion to the next level by offering personalized, arts-based classes designed to help people become the best version of themselves.

Katie brings a unique combination of social work and music experience to her work, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with challenging behaviors, dementia, and memory disorders.

Her approach is inspired by her favorite quote from Susan B. Anthony: “I’d rather make history than write it.” And that's exactly what she's doing—making history by creating lasting, meaningful change in the lives of those she serves.

For more information about Katie’s classes or May Creative Arts, feel free to reach out! We’d love to connect with you. 🌟

Listening to music can do wonders for your well-being! From boosting your mood to improving your brain function, music is more than just a tune – it’s a powerful tool for your health.

✨ Stress Reduction: Slow, calming music can lower your heart rate and reduce stress hormones, helping you relax and feel at peace.

🧠 Boosts Brain Power: Music stimulates the brain, improving memory, focus, and creativity.

💃 Improves Sleep: Listening to soothing melodies before bed can help ease insomnia and promote restful sleep.

❤️ Heart Health: Upbeat tunes can get your blood pumping, improving circulation and heart health, while slower tempos can reduce blood pressure.

These are just a few of music's superpowers. Music therapists are trained clinicians who can help find ways to use your preferred music to better your overall health.

So next time you're feeling overwhelmed or need a little boost, hit play – your body and mind will thank you!

Interested in music therapy? Reach out for more info!