Modern Hero

Modern Hero | Jul 19, 2017

“Congrats to Stephanie Epstein at Holtz Children’s Hospital. You remain our Modern Hero.”

Meet Stephanie, our everyday hero who helps children as they heal through her innovative use of music and song.

She Helps Children as They Heal Through the Use of Music

Meet Stephanie, our everyday hero who helps children as they heal through her innovative use of music and song.

Posted by Modern Hero on Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Featured Media Coverage

NBC Nightly News with Peter Alexander

NBC Nightly News, April 4, 2015 Ukulele Club Hitting the Right Note With Sick Kids | A music therapy center in Miami is using the ukulele to benefit sick children…

17 Aug 2020

Songs from the Heart

As a music therapist, Stephanie Epstein treats patients with a variety of medical conditions, teaching them to use music to express emotions and aid the healing process…

08 May 2018

Minkowsky & Stephanie

This is Minkowsky, one of our patients up in the bone marrow transplant unit. He took to the ukulele immediately and has learned so quickly…

28 Sep 2015

Instrument Of Healing

Meet some of the people and organizations using ukuleles to help children…

12 Aug 2019

Music Matters: Music Therapy

In this video, you’ll meet eight-month-old Abigail Andresen, her mom Shaina and her music therapist Stephanie Epstein. They were brought together after Abby…

23 Nov 2015

Riley Kid Has a Song In Her Heart and a Ukulele In Her Hands

She says she remembers being thrown from the vehicle in the violent collision. The next thing she remembers is…

01 Jul 2019

Ukulele Kids Club and Broadway Stars Unite for Virtual Cabaret Benefit Event

Performers joining the lineup include Laura Benanti, DeMarius R. Copes, Stephanie Torns, Daniel Quadrino, and more!

05 Apr 2021

Ukulele Kids Club Brings Gift Of Music

The music therapists of the Department of Cultural Programs’ Arts in Healthcare are delighted to share some exciting news…

17 Jun 2015

St. Mary’s Hospital for Children

Special thanks to the Ukulele Kids Club, Inc. for supporting our music therapy program by donating ukuleles. We appreciate their support…

15 May 2015

Broadway Stars Rally to Support Ukulele Kids Club With New Initiative

Stage and screen performers are joining together to dedicate their time and talents for the benefit of hospitalized children and the nonprofit Ukulele Kids Club…

18 Aug 2020

Jason’s Story

A mom came out into the hall. She told me that her son was a musician and could I come into the room and play for him?

12 Apr 2015

Liver Transplant Patient Says Music Helped Heal Him

Angel Lopez says music also saved him and on Tuesday he performed a concert at Holtz Children’sHospital as a thank you…

05 Sep 2015

The Rhythm of the Remedy

On any given day, Stephanie Epstein can be found with a ukulele, keyboard or sound system crowding her desk. All necessary tools that come with the territory…

03 Sep 2015

Kendra’s Story

My name is Kendra Jennings. I am 17 and suffer from a very rare disease. I spend most of my time in the hospital…

16 Jun 2017

TEDx Coconut Grove 2016 Dreams

Corey Bergman tells how music helps and inspires, even in the toughest times, in his talk “Music Heals” at TEDx Coconut Grove …

17 Aug 2020

Testimonials

Hello… I am 14 years old. I am presently in Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando, and I had music therapy today. The person who was doing the music therapy had brought the ukuleles that you had donated, and I wanted to say thank you for them. He had given it to me and I wanted you to know that I will put it to good use by cheering kids up. Thank you so much and God bless.

A Ukulele Kids Club Child

Thank You

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… I have so many of my chronic patients who play and practice on a regular basis in between their admissions. They are all very motivated by the ukulele. I can’t tell you how helpful it is in facilitating and accomplishing therapeutic goals. It has been so powerful!

Emily Herzog, MT-BC

MU Women's and Children's Hospital

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I just wanted to send you a quick hello and let you know how wonderful it has been to incorporate the ukuleles that you donated to CMHH… Thank you for all you do!

Jennifer, MMT, MT-BC

Sr. Music Therapist, Internship Director

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Thank you so much for this amazing donation, we are so blessed to have someone like you in the world!

Neurologic Music Therapist MT-BC

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

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This is Josh, your ukulele buddy. Thank you for inspiring me to play the ukulele. I have to thank you for that. My dad is buying me a ukulele!!! and I promise I will change the world just like you changed mine!!
Sincerely, Josh O.

Josh

Thank You

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Kayley wants to thank you for the ukulele… she is already playing many songs including “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor. Thanks for sharing your gift of music with Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, TX… the home of Buddy Holly!

Board Certified Music Therapist

The Gift of Music

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A few weeks ago I paid a visit to a resident who recently went home! I went to interview her with her father for a promotional video we are putting together for the Pediatric Center, and we had some extra time after. I started playing with little Rebecca, but I had not even thought to bring my guitar! What was I thinking?! I mentioned this to her mother, and immediately she ran to Rebecca’s room and brought out the ukulele we had given her from UKC! It was wonderful to then be able to share some more music with Rebecca and brought back so many great memories of our time together, and it wasn’t until then that I think she realized who I was – through our relationship with the music. So, a sincere thank you to UKC and their donations.

James, MM, MT-BC, LCAT

Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center

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I wanted to say thank you for my ukulele. It means so much that this program exists. I lost my art talent because I haven’t drawn for months being stuck in the hospital. I’m so happy with my ukulele. I hope this program exists for a long time. Even though I left the hospital today, but the person who taught me, her name is called Stephanie, felt like my best friend. Someone I could go to while we played music. I come from Jackson hospital. Thank you. I sincerely mean it… I feel happier

A Ukulele Kids Club Child

Thank You

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We are so very humbled and honored at UKC to have received the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) Advocacy Award for 2015. We are firmly committed to the advancement of Music Therapy and will continue to spread awareness for the essential need for more Board Certified MTs in pediatric hospitals nationwide.

AMTA

2015 American Music Therapy Association Advocate Award

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Ukuleles are small, but their impact is large. I’m so happy and grateful for my ukulele. I keep it near me at all times, and every time I improve I feel so accomplished. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I never thought I’d ever learn to play an instrument. It relieves my stress, makes me feel good, and makes me feel talented. Thank you for your generosity and for helping me get out of my funk. I am truly grateful.

Abby

Patient

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We can’t thank you enough for helping us make the lives of hospitalized children a more positive experience… We couldn’t do it without you.

Board Certified Music Therapist

Children's Hospital - New Orleans

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I am a patient at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital receiving treatment for a struggle with anorexia. I was one of the lucky patients to be given a ukulele that was donated to the hospital by your organization and I must express my profound thanks for this amazingly generous gift you gave. Playing and learning the ukulele with the music therapist was one of the few comforts during my stressful stay at the hospital. Therefore, I am very thankful for your generosity and the gift you have given me.

Patient

CS Mott Children’s Hospital

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My daughter was so happy to be gifted this beautiful ukulele for her music therapy. She is now able to keep up with her ukulele club at school.

Mom

My Daughter

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This was so wonderful for my grandbaby through all of her hard times… thank you for all your love and care she received while hospitalized .

Grandmother

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My beautiful daughter, I cant tell you how much she enjoys making music, we have since gotten a piano. This pic taken is from the hardest time of our lives… and I truly believe in the power of music healing, and appreciate the opportunity and light music brought to her in such a dark time.

Mom

My Beautiful Daughter

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Thank you Ukulele Kids Club for the ukulele (courtesy of Matt at Oakland Children’s Hospital). My 7 year old daughter is fighting stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma and while in Boston getting radiation therapy she got a chance to take ukulele lessons. When returning to California she told her music therapist all about it and how she didn’t have one at home and he came back to her room with this. She loves to play.

Mom

Thank You

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Modern Hero

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