Staff

At MusicWorks, our innovative and creative staff provides caring and effective support to all of our clients.

       Staff

 

Lori O’Leary, MBAExecutive Director

Lori O’Leary brings over three decades of general business experience, strategic planning and the ability to build strong professional relationships to MusicWorks. In 2006, Lori began the process to convert MusicWorks to a nonprofit agency to raise funds for families that could not afford music therapy for their children with challenges. Simultaneously, she worked closely with “Mr. Jerry” to craft presentations to local managed care organizations (MCOs) to secure Medical Assistance funding for children. In 2009, MusicWorks served its first client under MA as a nonparticipating provider. Lori worked tirelessly towards becoming an in-network provider for Magellan Behavioral Health in 2012. MusicWorks is the first music therapy service provider in the country to be credentialed by Magellan.

For the O’Learys, MusicWorks is truly a family created by their entire family. Ms. O’Leary’s proudest moments are working along with her husband since 2002 to supply music therapy services to individuals of all ages, reporting to her son, Patrick, as he leads an ingenious database project for MusicWorks and organizing her daughter, Mariel, and her team of friends to continually volunteer their time to prepare presentation packages, new client folders and represent MusicWorks at community resource fairs.

 
 

Jerry O’Leary, MA, MT-BC, LPCDirector of Music Therapy

Jerry O’Leary brings his years of music performance experience as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, theatrical performer / director and music therapist to lead the  clinical team at MusicWorks. Mr. Jerry, as he is known to his clients, is personable, empathetic and a well-respected music therapist. He offers a compassionate ear and creative mind to develop innovative music therapy techniques to help clients from children to adults overcome challenges. At MusicWorks, we look for the “little miracles”, and Mr. Jerry truly believes that “Music Works Wonders”. He shares his passion with the MusicWorks clinicians and staff to offer MusicWorks clients a truly unique, encouraging and “can-do” experience. He shares a personal and deep commitment to help people who face every day cognitive, behavioral, developmental and emotional struggles. Mr. Jerry loves music therapy and all the wonderful benefits that MusicWorks can deliver to everyone.Jerry completed his undergraduate degree in business at St. Joseph’s University and his Master’s degree in music therapy at Immaculata University. In January 2023, he became a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has been a Board Certified Music Therapist since 2001.

 
 
 

Brenda Norris, MT-BCMusic Therapist

Brenda Norris has worked part-time for MusicWorks since 2009. She achieved her Board Certification in 1994 and has over two decades of experience as a music therapist. She has worked at the Elwyn Developmental Center with children ages 3-5 primarily on the autism spectrum. Prior to MusicWorks, she worked for 10 years at the Suburban Music School, providing music therapy in a community outreach program to preschoolers and elementary school students in the Chester-Upland School District. Brenda has her Bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Elizabethtown College and also performs as a professional musician with “Celtic Women & Friends.” She sings, plays guitar and piano and teaches both piano and guitar to children.

 
 
 
 

Marilyn Benvenuto, MT-BCMusic Therapist

Marilyn Benvenuto received her Bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Immaculata University in 2019 and later that year obtained her Board Certification. Marilyn completed her music therapy internship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia working with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and school aged children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). She currently provides music therapy services to children through teens at MusicWorks in Havertown, on Devereux’s Chester County Campus and to adults and seniors in individual and group sessions throughout Delaware County. Marilyn enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and caring for her cat, Pumpkin.

 
 
 

Carlie Cocco, MT-BCMusic Therapist

Carlie Cocco has been a full-time Music Therapist with MusicWorks since June 2025. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Marywood University in May of 2025. During her undergraduate clinical experience, Carlie worked with a variety of age groups and populations in both group and individual settings. During her internship, Carlie worked in Hospice, Palliative Care, and older adult settings. Carlie prioritizes a humanistic approach in her work, viewing human connection as the foundation of Music Therapy. Carlie provides Music Therapy to MusicWorks’ community locations. Outside of her work, Carlie loves to knit and make ceramic art.

 
 
 

Emma Convery, MT-BCMusic Therapist

Emma Convery has been a full-time music therapist with MusicWorks since July 2025. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from West Chester University in May 2025. During her clinical internship at Holisticare Hospice in Wayne, PA, shesupported individuals and their families through various stages of end-of-life care. In addition to her hospice work, Emma has experience providing music therapy to a wide range of populations—from pediatrics to geriatrics—in both group and individualsettings in various locations including Telehealth, Schools, Assisted Living Facilities, and home care. She is passionate about music therapy as a means of forming deep, meaningful connections and meeting each person where they are emotionally and therapeutically. Emma currently provides music therapy services to children, teens, and adults at our Hatboro treatment center and in schools throughout the local community. Outside of her clinical work, Emma enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.​

 
 

Kate Henderson, MT-BCMusic Therapist

Kate Henderson has been a full-time music therapist at MusicWorks since August 2024. She holds degrees in Theatre and Music Therapy from Florida State University and Rowan University, respectively. Kate completed her music therapy internship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, servicing patients in the oncology and neurology departments, before obtaining her Board Certification in early 2023. She currently facilitates small group sessions with clients of all ages at the Havertown Treatment Center, Overbrook School for the Blind, St. Katherine School in Radnor, and community living arrangement group homes across Delaware County. In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, practicing piano, and planning themed parties for her friends.

 
 

Patrick O’LearyVolunteer Technology Coordinator

Patrick O’Leary was 5 years old when his parents started MusicWorks. He grew to understand those with special needs from a child’s perspective. Patrick became fascinated with the world of computers and at age 14 and provided a much-needed service for MusicWorks by developing the agency’s database. During high school Patrick was our Technology Coordinator. He led teams of Villanova juniors and seniors over 18 months in a project to construct a database on the Salesforce platform to more easily manage client information. Patrick graduated from St. Joseph’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in May 2019. Patrick was employed full-time as a Salesforce Developer at CRM Science and now holds the position of a Sr. Salesforce Developer at Higher Echelon. Patrick volunteers his time at MusicWorks. He is responsible for compiling and analyzing client progress data demonstrating viability of music therapy to solicit grant funding and support for MusicWorks.

 
 

Mariel O’LearyAdministrative Support

Mariel O’Leary developed firsthand experience with children and adults with challenges. MusicWorks was almost 4 years old when she was born. As an administrative support, she prepares client folders, presentation packages and supports MusicWorks on evenings and weekends at community functions. Mariel checks eligibility of all clients under insurance and fills in at our front desk, when needed. Mariel graduated from Merion Mercy Academy in May 2023 and is currently studying Political Science and History at St. Joseph’s University. She has always been a true team player at MusicWorks.