Ethan Cullinan, LCAT, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist, graduating from NYU with a Master’s in Music Therapy, and receiving his NY State licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) shortly thereafter. His clinical focus has primarily centered around mental health services, with work spanning across inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. He has spent a majority of his 10-year career providing both music & talk therapy to clients in Brooklyn, Rochester, and Buffalo, and has had the privilege of getting to know and help support individuals who come from all ages, races, orientations, identities, challenges, abilities, beliefs, socioeconomic statuses, and walks of life.
What drew you to music?
I’ve been passionate about music since before I can remember, and have spent my life listening, playing, and creating as much as I am able. I am especially drawn to the way that music brings people together, and how it can give a creative voice to inner feelings that words may simply not be able to capture. Though I did briefly consider undergraduate studies in a music-related field, when I reached college, I decided to pursue a degree in psychology instead (another lifelong interest of mine), with music remaining a passion rather than a potential career. However, as I was deciding my next steps during my last year of college, I happened to stumble across the field of music therapy by chance, which opened my eyes to the possibilities of combining both my love of music and my academic interests and skills.
What classes/instruments do you teach?
My primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice, though I also play drums, bass, saxophone, and am very fluent in recording & music production software / other electronic music technology
What do you love about living in Buffalo?
Simple… the people, the food, the outdoors, and, of course, the football!
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of Community Music School?
I enjoy writing & recording my own music, hiking / exploring the outdoors, woodworking, biking, and rec league sports (touch football & volleyball)