To provide trauma-informed music therapy and advocate for those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence.
The inspiration for The Angel Band Project came from an unthinkable tragedy. In July 2009, a young man crept through an open window in the middle of the night at the home of Teresa Butz and her partner. After repeatedly raping and stabbing both women, Teresa fought back. According to police, her actions saved her partner's life, but cost Teresa her own.
After witnessing the emotionally powerful singing at the funeral from Teresa's musically-talented family and partner, Teresa's lifelong best friends were inspired to record them. Teresa's brother, two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz, and Teresa's surviving partner, Jennifer Hopper, joined their efforts.
Their aim was simple: to capture the power in the music they heard to help others heal from the effects of sexual violence. The resulting benefit album not only helped them heal, but gave them the inspiration to create the country's first music therapy program designed to treat survivors of sexual violence.
Using music to break the silence
Co-founder and Executive Director of The Angel Band Project and lifelong lover of music, Rachel is responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization with a focus on growing The Angel Band Project into a meaningful force for healing and social change. Traveling the country, Rachel shares our story of providing hope and healing to survivors, while bringing our music therapy program to new cities and regions. She has been the keynote speaker at conferences large and small and was recently honored as a Woman of Achievement, honoring the efforts of volunteer women.
Jean had the idea for making the benefit album that launched the The Angel Band Project while driving in her car listening to tunes. Passionate about using the power of music to promote healing and social change, Jean uses her background in marketing and creative strategy to help drive initiatives and programs for the organization. She lives in Chicago with her two daughters.
As our Music Therapy Program Director, Lynn (she/her) brings a lifelong dedication to music, creativity, healing and heart-centered leadership. With a dynamic background as a professional singer, songwriter, speaker, self-love coach for women and board-certified music therapist in trauma/hospital settings, Lynn believes fully in the power of the arts to help hold and mold the human experience. She is thrilled to be a part of The AngelBand Project team and mission.
Caitlin Bell, MA, LCAT, MT-BC (she/her) is board-certified music therapist and licensed creativearts therapist in New York City. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and NewYork University, Caitlin practices music psychotherapy through atrauma-informed and psychodynamic lens. The focus of Caitlin’s work lies at theintersection of community, connection, and creativity. Caitlin is engaged insupporting individuals and groups to discover meaning and purpose, processgrief, and develop life skills through musical and creative outlets. Her areasof specialty include substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD andindividualized care with children, adolescents, and adults. Caitlin is agraduate of the Kint Institute, a post-graduate training program intrauma-informed creative arts therapies. She is currently working onpost-graduate training in Analytical Music Therapy and is a staff therapist atAscendant NY in New York City.
Music has always played a central role in Carolyn’s life. She is a classical and Irish harpist and studied with Ayako Watanabe and Eileen Gannon. Carolyn has a bachelors degree in entertainment industry studies from Belmont University and studied music therapy at IUPUI. She is excited to “join the band” and bring together her in-depth knowledge of music therapy and fundraising to help grow the Angel Band Project and its mission. In her spare time she enjoys being with her two boys, playing music, and creating art.
(314) 240-5525
rachel.ebeling@angelbandproject.org
We have many volunteer opportunities in our three key cities:
St. Louis, Seattle and New York City.
If you are interested in volunteering, have questions or just want to learn more, please fill out the form below.
