One Mind Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Apollo & Psyche’ Celebration, An Evening of Musical Performance for Mental Health
On March 23, 2026, One Mind welcomed a community of artists, scientists, advocates, and supporters for Apollo & Psyche: An Evening of Musical Performance for Mental Health, a moving and multidimensional program that explored the deep connection between music and healing. The evening also served as an opportunity for One Mind to honor Bristol Myers Squibb for their ongoing partnership and demonstrated commitment to advancing mental health.
Held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the 2nd Annual Apollo & Psyche celebration centered on a curated set of musical performances. The program, titled Pathways, was structured as a symbolic journey, inviting guests to reflect on the many dimensions of mental health: commitment, connection, resilience, and ultimately, empowerment. From the opening notes to the final standing ovation, the evening offered more than a performance. It was a shared experience, one that reflected the complexity of mental health journeys and the power of collective support.
With television host and producer JD Roberto returning as Master of Ceremonies, the evening was led by Artistic Director and pianist Elaine Kwon, joined by percussionist Dan Weiner, flautist Ginevra Petrucci, and ukulele players Jacob Sayraf and Star Spann. The showcase featured awe-inspiring performances by GRAMMY-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter Desmond Child; acclaimed Broadway vocalists Syndee Winters and Tamar Greene; and dancers Austin Kelly and Jessica Ferretti of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Interwoven throughout were theatrical intermezzos from The Bohemians, an original work by playwright Bryan Delaney, featuring Catherine Eaton and Justin Lander, and directed by Rose Friedman, which added narrative texture, reminding the audience that storytelling, like music, is essential to how we process and understand our experiences.
Highlights from the evening included:
- A vibrant opening performance of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, setting a tone of determination and shared purpose
- A stirring interpretation of Beethoven’s “Sonata in C Major”, embodying connection and emotional depth
- Broadway-caliber vocal performances, including Tamar Greene’s rendition of “Bring Him Home” and Syndee Winters rendition of “Golden,” that captured themes of devotion and courage
- Original works like “Ascending” and “Rebirth”, blending music and dance to express transformation and renewal
- A powerful closing moment with “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Desmond Child, reinforcing the evening’s message of hope and perseverance
Where Art and Science Meet
The evening’s theme drew inspiration from mythology: Apollo, the god of both music and medicine, and Psyche, the embodiment of the human soul. Together, they symbolized a central truth echoed throughout the program: healing is both an art and a science.
“Music and mental health are constant companions across the arc of a life,” said One Mind CEO, Kathleen M. Pike, PhD. “From the lullabies that first soothe us to the songs that carry us through loss, transition, and joy, music maps the emotional terrain of every stage we pass through.”
As emphasized in the program, music reaches places that clinical language cannot. It softens fear, moves through grief, and amplifies joy. In the same way, progress in mental health requires more than research alone, it depends on empathy, lived experience, and human connection.
This intersection is at the heart of One Mind’s work: accelerating research, advancing innovation, and ensuring that mental health care is accessible, effective, and grounded in real-world impact.
Honoring Leadership and Partnership
A special moment of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 One Mind Leadership Award to Bristol Myers Squibb, recognizing their commitment to advancing mental health through leadership, partnership, and innovation. The event also brought together a remarkable host committee, partners, and donors—including Bank of America, Amy and Marc Puntus, FTV Capital, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Liberty Mutual, The John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation, and Markaaz —whose generosity and dedication made the evening possible.
“At Bristol Myers Squibb we believe advancing brain health is essential to human progress because our brains shape how we think, feel, connect, and contribute, and yet brain disorders remain among the most complex and underaddressed health challenges of our time,” said Peter Paine, Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO & Head of Strategic Partnerships, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Science is opening new frontiers of brain health but we know science alone is not enough. Breakthroughs and new medicines only matter if people who need them can get access to them. Barriers to care—misguided policies, utilization management, inertia in medical practice—can delay care when time matters most. Overcoming these barriers takes all of us working together, and that’s where One Mind really leads.”
A Community United by Purpose
Throughout the night, one message resonated clearly: while every mental health journey is unique, no one walks it alone. Guests were reminded that progress is rarely linear and never happens in isolation. It is built through collaboration—between disciplines, across communities, and among individuals committed to change.
As Program Co-Chairs Donna Friedman and Harvey Schwartz noted, the evening was made possible not only by performers and partners, but by every attendee whose presence helps advance the mission: to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
“One Mind is building a world where mental health is truly prioritized. It takes all of us, and that’s why your presence here tonight matters so much,” said Host Committee Co-Chair, Donna Friedman. “Mental health is not an abstract issue, it’s deeply personal, and I think I can say it probably touches everybody in this room tonight in different ways. In my own life I’ve experienced how profoundly it can shape a family and how important it is that we continue to show up for one another and work towards better solutions. This is what makes this mission so urgent and so meaningful.”
The One Mind staff extends their deepest gratitudes to the 2026 Apollo & Psyche Host Committee—Donna Friedman (Co-Chair), Harvey Schwartz (Co-Chair), Sherri Athanasia, Tanisha Carino, Nancy Dearman, Virginia & Rob Feldman, The Global Fund for Mental Health, Katharina Koenig, Richard Lipkin, Janet Montag, Robina Riccitiello, Shari & Garen Staglin, Gwill York, and Matthew Zubrow—for their support in making this year’s celebration possible.
Apollo & Psyche was not just a moment of reflection and celebration—it was a call to action. The work of transforming mental health care continues through One Mind’s initiatives, including:
- Investing in next-generation scientific leaders through the One Mind Rising Star Academy
- Supporting early-stage mental health innovators through the One Mind Accelerator
- Advancing workplace mental health solutions through One Mind at Work
- Elevating lived experience to inform better care through the One Mind Lived Experience Initiative
Events like Apollo & Psyche remind us that when art and science come together, they create something powerful: not just awareness, but momentum. Not just reflection, but change. Most importantly, they remind us that the path toward better mental health is one we walk—together.
“Since the beginning, One Mind was founded with a commitment to “run toward the problem,” a belief that resonates with anyone who has seen how brain health conditions can interrupt lives and limit opportunity,” said Patrick J. Kennedy, One Mind Co-Founder and Board Director. “I’m proud to see that spirit carried forward in work that centers on lived experience, accelerating scientific discovery, and turning insights into real-world solutions that touch people’s daily lives. It’s a reminder that when we meet proactively to approach challenges with urgency and purpose, we create the conditions for change.”
For those inspired by the evening, there are many ways to stay engaged and help drive meaningful impact. We invite you to join us for future events, including our upcoming 32nd One Mind Music Festival which will take place on Sept. 19th at Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford, CA. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow One Mind on social media to receive the latest updates!