BA, Political Science, SUNY Purchase; MA, Music Therapy, NYU

Music Therapy

Faculty since 2023

New York, NY

Francis has two years of clinical experience working with US Veterans at VA New York Harbor Health Care System in New York City as well as children and adults who identify as neuro-diverse. He has over 15 years of experience as a recording artist and session musician. After starting out as a guitarist and songwriter, he further expanded his musical identity through rap, digital production, drums, and piano. While completing his master’s studies at NYU, Francis founded and chaired Sanctuary, a closed safe space designated for graduate students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Latinx in the creative arts therapy programs at NYU. Outside of his clinical work, Francis is actively working on music for personal projects and collaborations with other artists.

“Music plays a fundamentally important role in our lives- so much so that I believe access to music and musical experiences is an inalienable human right. Every individual has a diverse wealth of lived experiences, and it’s essential to consider all aspects as valid and relevant to that person’s continued development. I’m deeply committed to creating culturally affirming and anti-oppressive music therapy spaces that resonate with and support every client seeking out services. At its core, the therapeutic process is a partnership in which the most fruitful relationships develop from mutual trust and understanding. It is through these collaborative experiences that we find not only meaning, but deep healing in music.”