Sound Affects addresses the severe isolation that older adults experience as they age and become less independent.
In every region of Colorado and the country there are underfunded long term care facilities, nursing homes, assisted living sites, and memory care buildings where older adults are marginalized by financial and systemic barriers that leave them with diminished access to quality of life, mental health, social opportunities, and community connection.
Sound Affects recognizes music as a key intervention in overburdened healthcare settings, centering local professional artists who are able to deliver meaningful connection to residents who need it. We also serve adult day populations who are similarly isolated from contemporary music settings.
About Sound Affects
Why Music?
Live music is uniquely able to engage individuals because it stimulates us socially, emotionally, and mentally. Research shows this to be an important and successful tool to address social isolation and mental health, especially in adult populations above the age of 50. Read more on the research behind music’s benefits in Long Term Care.
What is Arts Equity?
Arts equity lives at the root of Sound Affects’ mission: creating meaningful musical experiences for older adults who are often excluded from mainstream arts spaces, while supporting musicians with fair, paid work. By valuing both artists and aging community members, we build a more inclusive, connected, and equitable arts ecosystem.
Our History
2018:
Independent Artists
Local Independent musicians identify need for greater access to live music programs and opportunities for older adults living in Long Term Care
2020:
PAFC
Sound Affects becomes a project of Partnership For Age-Friendly Communities and delivers pilot programming with 60 musicians, 98 performances in the midst of widespread isolation
2021:
501C3
Sound Affects becomes a standalone nonprofit organization and scaled performance programming while piloting 1-1 personalized programs
2023:
Scaling and Stabilizing
Monthly performances are established in 36 LTC facilities in Front Range Colorado and Sound Affects begins establishing stronger community partnerships
Where can you find Sound Affects?
Sound Affects programs are in:
Fort Collins
Loveland
Greeley
Windsor
Estes Park
Longmont
Lakewood
“Sound Affects’ musicians have all brought such quality music to our residents. They completely break the mold of the traditional care culture model for music.
We have had amazing jazz, vocalists, string trios, acoustic guitar, brass bands, bluegrass. Residents really have been enjoying the variety and how professional the musicians have been AND they have been dancing more!!”
Madelyn Chapman, Activity Director at Someren Glen
Meet Our Team
Hanna Doreen Brown
Executive Director | She/Her
Hanna Doreen Brown is an integrative artist from Rochester, NY who brings innovation to the music she writes and to the spaces in which she performs. Her love for music of the past and present can be seen in her daily work, performing covers and originals in Colorado long-term care facilities and building Sound Affects’ nonprofit programs to touch the lives of isolated individuals. Hanna hopes that as she continues to use music to connect with those seeking connection, she'll capture the stories of the wise, learn a little about a lot, and break down some stereotypes in the process.
Jakob Mueller
Program Coordinator, Marketing/Design | He/Him
Jakob Mueller is a Colorado-based musician and Graphic Designer. He is deeply passionate about using art and music as a means to invite connection and collaboration. Jakob enjoys spending his leisure time writing music, running, and spending quality time with his friends and family.
Meet Our Board
Hannah Casey
Board Member
Hannah Casey is an avid trail runner, terrible banjo player, and straight-up nerd about political economy and internet culture. As a side gig, she’s the Global Programs Manager at Bohemian Foundation, stewarding partnerships with nonprofit organizations working on the most serious global challenges at the intersection of health, poverty, and climate change. Hannah has worked in the philanthropy, nonprofit, and management consulting sectors for over 10 years and enjoys volunteering in all sorts of capacities in Fort Collins. She’s served on the Sound Affects board since it’s earliest days and continues her passion supporting the organization as Secretary.
Katie McClelland
Board Member
Katie McClelland has served on the Sound Affects board of directors since January 2025. As a 25-year Fort Collins resident, Katie owned a small software development consulting business and has been active in the volunteer community with at-risk youth. Katie has always had a passion for music and the connection it brings, and since retirement, she finds herself spending most of her time in her music studio tinkering with her synths, playing music with others, hiking, and putzing in her flower gardens. Katie’s love for music and community is what brought her to Sound Affects Music.
Jackie Christman
Board Member
Jackie Christman is the proud owner of Gallipott Salon and The Gallery at Gallipott. Jackie is a seasoned businesswoman and has an MBA from Belmont University with a concentration in music business. After business school, she worked in the country music industry in Nashville with artists including Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, and Faith Hill. When she is not at her businesses or spending time with her family, Jackie enjoys working with local nonprofits, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and singing and playing violin at her church and for residents that Sound Affects serves!
Callie Coberly
Board Member
Callie Coberly joined the board of Sound Affects Music after years of closely following the organization through friends involved in its work. She believes music is one of the most powerful tools we have for connection and healing. Often immersed in art, music, and creativity, she is passionate about building community and amplifying meaningful experiences.
Callie is thrilled to support an organization that turns sound into connection. When she’s not paying the bills, serving on the boards of Sound Affects Music and the Fort Collins Mural Project, or out attending art and music events, you’ll probably find her on, in, or near water with Gary, her potato gremlin sidekick (French bulldog).
Robert Leja
Board Member
Robert Leja is the newest addition to the Sound Affects board, bringing marketing and fundraising experience to the organization. As former Director of Community Engagement for Community Radio for Northern Colorado, he created events for the NPR-member station KUNC and was part of the team that launched The Colorado Sound. He’s spent his professional career partnering with local nonprofits and supporting local musicians.
He’s served previously on the boards of Be Local Northern Colorado, Pioneer School for Expeditionary Learning, the Tri-Media Film Festival, and was a member of the launch committee for Sonic Guild Colorado.
