About Us
Sound Mind, (formerly known as “Classical Musicians Roundtable,”) was founded in 2019 by three musicians in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago who were passionate about conversations around mental health.
Musicians face unique circumstances that put us at a higher risk of mental illness. According to Music Minds Matter, musicians are three times more likely to experience depression than the general public. 71% of musicians have suffered from panic attacks and/or high levels of anxiety, and 68.5% have suffered from depression. In response, Sound Mind is creating the space in the music community for artists to relate to and empathize with one another through open conversations about how classical music has affected their wellbeing. Starting this conversation is the essential first step in destigmatizing mental health.
Our Team
Alexandria Hoffman
Co-Founder and Executive Director
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Alexandria Hoffman is a freelance flutist and mental health advocate based in Chicago, IL. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, and has appeared as a soloist with Yo-Yo Ma. Alex was previously acting Associate Principal Flute in the Auckland Philharmonia, and has held fellowship positions at the New World Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Alex’s passion for mental health led her to co-found Sound Mind, a non-profit organization that cultivates mental wellness in the classical music world. Alex is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Community Counseling at Loyola University Chicago, and holds a Master’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, video games, and playing with her dog, Barry.
Christine Lin
Social Media Manager
Christine is a singer-songwriter who performs under her solo project as Lyyn. She writes, produces, and performs her own music, with her songs featured in music publications and on Spotify editorial playlists such as Indie Pop and Fresh Finds. In addition to her artistic career, Christine is a digital marketing and social media strategist specializing in advertising, growth marketing and content creation for Fortune 100 brands and nonprofits in the entertainment and music industries. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from NYU's Stern School of Business and is passionate about mental health advocacy and community support for musicians and independent artists.
Dan Monte
Podcast Editor
Dan comes from a long line of Portuguese and Canadian musicians settled in Southeastern Coastal Massachusetts. He deeply enjoys collaborating with other artists, and has been seen playing Off-Broadway (J2 Spotlight Theatre Comp.), and accompanying Modern & Improv Dance Classes (Rutgers University). Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College, and a master’s degree in Music Performance from Rutgers University. Dan is also an avid composer of contemporary classical music, jazz, pop, and commercial music. Currently, Dan lives in Massachusetts, where he teaches music at UMASS Dartmouth, produces podcasts, and enjoys drinking coffee, cooking, and playing chess.
Board of Directors
Nicolas Gonzalez
Board Chair
Nicolas Gonzalez is the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Innovation and Special Initiatives at Manhattan School of Music, leading the School's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives and overseeing its strategic plan. He collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to promote inclusive learning, community partnerships, and professional development. With a focus on arts accessibility, Nicolas fosters innovation through socially responsible, community-driven programming. He chairs Sound Mind, an initiative combatting mental illness stigma in classical music, and is a Sphinx LEAD cohort member. His prior roles include positions at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra. Nicolas holds advanced degrees in Arts Administration and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University, along with certifications in DEI, philanthropy, and global awareness.
Carl Evans
Board Member
Carl is the CEO/Chairperson of the Hope for Us Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing transformational change in mental health care through proactive prevention practices to achieve effective mental health care and suicide prevention. Carl has developed the Proactive Suicide Prevention Theory and his work disrupts the highest risk factors for mental health crises. He works to implement transformational change in mental healthcare at community and institutional levels nationwide. Previously, Carl worked for Hope for the Day.
Bethany L. Pereboom
Board Member
Bethany believes that music is a powerful tool to connect people and is passionate about engaging people in her community as well as in the concert hall. As a supporter and advocate for this diverse musical community, she performs with and serves on the board for 5th Wave Collective, a Chicago-based chamber music collective that programs womxn and gender non-conforming composers. She holds titled positions with Orchestra Iowa, Rockford Symphony, Jackson Symphony, and performs in many special events in the Chicago area. Bethany is a devoted auntie, eternal dog-lover, and avid cyclist.