Our Story
Using Music To Cope
Then, two developments quickly brought the future UKC sharply into focus. First, Corey connected with music therapists at Miami Children’s Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and others, and gained exposure to the field of music therapy. Through music therapy, certified professionals help patients use music to achieve clinical goals, which in the case of young children might include lowering anxiety and stress, improving vital signs, and a multitude of other results. Second, the simplicity and small size of the ukulele made it seem like the ideal vehicle for music therapy with even the smallest patients. In 2014, Corey and his wife Edda incorporated the UKC. Our mission was, and remains, to support medically fragile children by gifting them a ukulele to use during their hospital stay and to keep when they go home. Each year, we deliver thousands of ukuleles to a growing network of more than 300 music programs in the U.S. and in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia that are working with vulnerable children.
Meet Our Founders
Corey Bergman
Founder | Director
Corey Bergman founded the Ukulele Kids Club Inc. in 2014 . In his TEDx Coconut Grove talk “Music Heals“, Corey explains how music helps and inspires, even in the toughest times.
Watch “Music Heals” on YouTube
Edda Bergman
Senior Manager, Talent Business Advisor for Deloitte Services LP, retired.
National Board Of Directors
Our board members are the fiduciaries who steer Ukulele Kids Club Inc. towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure that we have adequate resources to advance our mission.
Kelli McKee
Executive Director
MA, MT-BC, NICU-MT
Marlén Rodriguez-Wolfe
Chairwoman
M.M. Music Therapist
Stephanie Epstein Vice Chair
Director of Programs
Henry Ristuccia
Treasurer
Venture Capitalist, Business Advisor, Risk Management Leader
Connie Ryan
Director
Registered Nurse RN, BSN
TEDx Organizer Volunteer
Kira Turchin
Director
MSBE
Broadway Producer
Staff
Larry Agovino
Website Administrator
Musician
Advisory Board
Tom Duffy
Director
Broker Associate
Berkshire Hathaway HS Verani Realty
Licensed in NH and Massachusetts
Stephana Sneed
Advisory Board
Director, Partner Engagement with International Justice Mission or IJM
Neal Chin
Advisory Board
Ukulele Musician Teaching and Recording Artist
Kristiana Miner
Advisory Board
Creative Arts Therapist
Neurologic Music Therapist
Abby Jaros
Advisory Board
Director UKC Broadway Professional actor, dancer and singer
Laura Benanti
Advisory Board
UKC Broadway Tony Award Winning Actress
Eric Kraus
Advisory Board
Partner, New York City Phillips Lytle LLP
Joe Zenas
Advisory Board
Owner/CEO Thinkwell Group thinkwellgroup.com
Ashley Orlando
Advisory Board
Musician Lead Singer for Vintage Point Leader of Houkulele, Houston’s Ukulele Club
Corrie Woods
Advisory Board
Lichty Guitars Tryon, NC
Jay Lichty
Director
Luthier, Lichty Guitars
Music Therapy Advisory Board
Jasmine Edwards
MT Advisory Board
MA, LCAT, MT-BC Bachelor of Music in music therapy, FSU Master of Arts in music therapy, NYU
Kimberly Bell
MT Advisory Board
MM, LCAT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist Neurologic Music Therapist Children’s Hospital of New Orleans
Marial Biard
MT Advisory Board
MM, MT-BC, NMT
Board-Certified Music Therapist Texas Children’s Hospital Houston, TX
Kelli McKee
MT Advisory Board
MA, MT-BC
Music Therapist SM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital St. Louis, MO
James R. Maxson
MT Advisory Board
MM, LCAT, MT-BC
Music Therapist Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center
Jeniris Garay
MT Advisory Board
EdM, MT-BC, LPMT
Licensed, Board Certified Neurologic Music Therapist and Clinical Educator
Evan Privoznik
MT Advisory Board
MM, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Susan Mehall
MT Advisory Board
MT-BC, NICU-MT, NMT
Board-Certified Music Therapist
UC Davis Health | Children’s Hospital
