'Music of the Heart' showcases nonprofit's music therapy clients

Katie Harrill has seen what music can do for people’s social and emotional states.

As the supervisor of the Creative Arts Program and one of many music therapists at Wesley Family Services, Harrill has extensively worked with clients across various developmental stages. Despite the program’s inception 23 years ago, she holds a hint of regret for not initiating the recital until 14 years ago.

Reflecting on this, she said, “I wish I’d launched the recital 23 years ago, right when we kick-started the program.”

Harrill, a Monroeville native, will join proud parents, family and friends June 2 at Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music for the annual “Music of the Heart” recital.

It celebrates not just the joy of music, but the work Wesley clients have done using it to help overcome social, emotional and cognitive disabilities.

Robyn DiDolce, 20, of Penn Hills will get a chance to show off that work.

DiDolce, who said she has loved music her whole life, discovered drums and guitar through Wesley’s creative arts program.

“I can play ‘Hey There Delilah,’ ” she said. “I like to dance to music.”

She’ll get a chance to sing the song — written by one of her favorite bands, the Plain White T’s — at the recital.

“Knowing Robyn, she’ll probably also pull out her guitar to strum along,” Harrill said. “That’s part of what makes the recital great. We do practice the songs, but things happen in the moment and we go with the flow.”

Didolce receives music therapy at Wesley’s Monroeville location. The program also operates out of its Bridgeville and Wexford offices, as well as in many school districts and external organizations.

The company has branches throughout Western Pennsylvania, including in New Kensington, Tarentum and Greensburg. A location formerly was in Penn Hills, where DiDolce lives at a group home operated by Murrysville nonprofit Creative Dialogues.

“We have a really good working relationship with Katie,” said Allison Dailey, director of operations at Creative Dialogues. “She works with several of our clients.

“It’s a great fit for Robyn, and it’s a great creative outlet. We’ve seen her really come out of her shell and be more open to meeting new people.”

Overall, Wesley Family Services provides behavioral health care and therapeutic support for more than 20,000 people of all ages in Western Pennsylvania.

Harrill, a Monroeville native, established the creative arts program after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from Allegheny College and completing a music therapy equivalency program at Duquesne University.

“It’s just an incredibly rewarding experience,” she said of the recitals. “It’s a testament to our clients’ growth and transformation. It’s really rewarding for anyone who sees it.”