One Mind Host’s ‘Apollo & Psyche’ An Evening of Music at Carnegie Hall
New York, NY — April 2, 2025 — An unforgettable evening unfolded at Carnegie Hall as One Mind hosted Apollo & Psyche, a sold-out event that blended music, storytelling, and dance in support of mental health advancement.
Inspired by Apollo, the god of music, dance, and healing, and Psyche, the goddess of the mind and soul, Apollo & Psyche honored the timeless connection between healing and the arts. The evening brought together world-class performers and passionate advocates to celebrate resilience, renewal, and the human spirit, while uniting a community of friends and partners who are passionate about mental health.
One Mind CEO, Kathy Pike welcomed guests with remarks that echoed the heart of the evening: “Music whispers to the soul what words alone cannot say. In that sacred space—where Apollo meets Psyche—we find comfort, courage, and connection.”
Apollo & Psyche was punctuated by poignant moments, including performances set to iconic songs like “The Sound of Music,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “If I Can Dream,” all artistically reimagined under Artistic Director Elaine Kwon’s direction. With JD Roberto as the charismatic Master of Ceremonies and the visionary Elaine Kwon on piano, joined by percussionist Dan Weiner and trumpeter Marshall Kearse, Apollo & Psyche guided attendees along a journey through emotional landscapes—from Joy and Solitude to Growth and Renewal. The evening’s showcase featured dynamic performances by acclaimed Broadway artists Carrie St. Louis and Akron Watson, the electrifying talents of Freestyle Love Supreme (Andrew Bancroft, Aneesa Folds, and Kaila Mullady), mesmerizing dance by Austin Kelly and Jessica Ferretti of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and stirring spoken word by mental health advocate Hakeem Rahim.
Highlights included:
- A soul-stirring rendition of “A Change is Going to Come” by Akron Watson, embodying yearning and hope.
- Elaine Kwon’s dazzling performance of Beethoven’s “Appassionata” Sonata, inspiring perseverance.
- Carrie St. Louis’s heartfelt rendition of “For Good,” the poignant penultimate ballad from the hit Broadway musical Wicked.
- A show-stopping, beatbox driven set by Freestyle Love Supreme that celebrated the power of improvisation, creativity, and love.
The evening concluded with an acknowledgement as One Mind CEO, Kathy Pike, and One Mind Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, Brandon Staglin, presented the One Mind Leadership Award to Bank of America in honor of their leadership and partnership in advancing mental health initiatives. David Tyrie, President of Marketing, Digital and Specialized Consumer Client Solutions accepted the award on behalf of Bank of America.
The event also spotlighted a stunning, artist-designed piano titled “Stitch by Stitch” by Sally Chen, sponsored by the Columbia WHO Center for Global Mental Health Advisory Board. This stunning piece created in partnership with Sing for Hope, a nonprofit organization that harnesses the transformative power of the arts to inspire, heal, and unite communities, has since been relocated to its permanent home at The Jack and Ruth DeLaney House, in Morristown, New Jersey. As part of the nonprofit organization, Freedom House, The DeLaney House will provide transitional support and housing for women facing mental health and addiction challenges, allowing them to remain with their children as they embark on their recovery journey.
Apollo & Psyche Co-Chairs Sherri Athanasia and Donna Friedman shared: “We are honored to support One Mind and be part of this special evening highlighting the profound connection between music and mental well-being. We are deeply grateful to our generous supporters and dedicated host committee for bringing this vision to life. And thank you to everyone who has joined us for this sold-out evening! Together, we are fostering a future of hope, healing, and meaningful progress in brain science and mental health.”
The One Mind staff offers their deepest gratitude to the One Mind Host Committee—Donna Friedman (Co-Chair), Sherri Athanasia (Co-Chair), Tanisha Carino, Richard Lipkin (Catalytic Impact Foundation), Nancy Dearman, Virginia & Rob Feldman, Patti Groebe, Janet Montag, Robina Riccitello, Oscar Health, Harvey Schwartz, Derri Shtasel & Gary Gottlieb, Shari & Garen Staglin, Martha & Lynn Temple, Gwill York, Matthew Zubrow—for their support in bringing Apollo & Psyche to life. Special thanks to Staglin Family Vineyard and Schramsberg Vineyards for donating wines for the event and to Chef Ryan Smith, Founder of Fork and Saber, for donating the delectable Pop Chocolates to further enhance the experience of the evening.
Proceeds from Apollo & Psyche will propel One Mind’s mission to transform mental health research, accelerate innovation, and change societal attitudes around mental health, helping to build a world where mental wellness is a universal priority.
If you would like to join us for future events, including our upcoming One Mind Music Festival on Sept. 13th, please get in touch and subscriber to our newsletter to receive the latest updates!