Kelly Corcoran

In this episode, Thomas Verrier speaks with Kelly Corcoran. Kelly is a professional conductor who, among her many accolades, was the associate conductor of the Nashville Symphony for nine seasons. Kelly also holds a master's degree in public health and today serves as a social scientist at Vanderbilt University's Music Cognition Lab. Her work in the lab draws on both her conducting career and her public health training, exploring how music engagement can support community well-being and social connection. She is also involved in interdisciplinary research related to musicality, cognition, and health outcomes.In their conversation, Kelly shares her perspectives on both the negative effects Parkinson's has had on Thomas as a conductor and the positive effects he has experienced when conducting and participating in the creative music-making process.This is Episode 3 of Season 2 of Conducting Parkinson’sConversations. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone. ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community. FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons #parkinsondiseaseawareness#parkinsonsawareness#michaeljfoxfoundation