Our Story
Louis Armstrong wanted to give back to the world some of the goodness that he received. Inspired by his legacy, generosity, philanthropic mission, and of course his music, Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy Inc (WWFMT) was established to provide assurances for those most in need, through the magic of music and human-centered healthcare.
All monies raised through WWFMT, a 501 (c) 3 organization, go to the music therapy department which serves Mount Sinai Hospitals. The Center is home to the Department for Music Therapy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Its services and clinical research not only serve patients within the Mount Sinai Health System hospitals, but the Center as well serves as pioneers and educators for the global medical community.
Our Board Members
President
Edward R. Finkelstein, Esq. is a founding member of the law firm of Finkelstein Filler, LLP. Ed's practice focuses on commercial litigation, real estate and construction litigation, insurance litigation, alternative dispute resolution and asset recovery. Ed has been an advocate of music therapy for many years. He has recently taken up guitar studies.
Vice President
Erik Brian Lawrence is a Saxophonist, Flutist, Sound and Vibrational Healing Practitioner Educator, Journalist, published Poet and Photographer. Beginning his saxophone and flute career playing at five, he performed on his first record at age eight. He has been teaching as a college instructor since he was eighteen, including music programs at Williams College and Dartmouth, among others. He has played, toured and recorded with legends including three time Grammy award winner Levon Helm, Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples, Buddy Miles, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Sharrock, Aretha Franklin, Spin Doctors, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Wilco, Glen Hansard, Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, and countless others, many of whom he considers mentors.
Secretary
Rema Webb recently appeared in the role of Marley in Broadway's Jimmy Buffet's musical Escape to Margaritaville. She also appeared in Broadway's The Color Purple as Church Lady Darlene and as the Shug Avery understudy; A New Brain, Violet; Disney’s The Lion King; The Book of Mormon; and Ragtime. Favorite regional include: The Colored Museum directed by Billy Porter at The Huntington Theatre and You’re Standing In My Way: A New Song Cycle by William Finn and Deborah Abramson at Barrington Stage Company. Rema made her 54 Below solo concert debut with Children Will Listen. She is also the founder/executive director of the On Broadway PATP (Performing Arts Training Program).
Co-Treasurers
Steven Pastor is a CPA with 35+ years of experience. Steven retired in 2013 and now contributes his services to civic organizations and nonprofits. He is a musician and enjoys gardening.
Edwin Sirlin is a Group Director and Senior Vice President at Signature Bank, has spent over 35 years in banking and finance providing tailored consultation to a wide range of privately-held businesses and high net worth individuals. As Group Director, He oversees a team of experienced bankers and financiers, as well as managing the financing and banking needs of his own clients. Ed is considered a trusted advisor and consultant to established business owners with mid-market companies as well as attorneys, accountants and their clients. Ed sees banking as an opportunity to help businesses and individuals reach their goals, and in his view, this goes beyond helping someone obtain a loan or open a bank account. Ed believes that every company must employ a trusted team of advisors in order to reach their full potential. As a result, he proactively networks and facilitates strategic introductions on behalf of his clients and referral sources, whether through a seminar, sports networking event or a simple lunch. Prior to his tenure at Signature, Ed spent 20 years at Citibank in a number of senior marketing, sales and client management roles. Following, he spent 7 years at Sterling National Bank as the Managing Director of the Business Network Group, where he provided unique alternative financing solutions for privately held companies. Ed lives in New York with his wife Donna and is the father and stepfather of 5 wonderful children. He holds an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University. He has been involved with several non-for-profit organizations including The American Suicide Foundation, Songs of Love, American Cancer Society, Diabetes Research Institute and The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. For the past 8 years Ed has been the President of the Board of the Turtle Bay Music School located in NYC. Ed is a classically trained musician and has a passion for helping others.
