Virtual Mental Health Mondays Artist Workforce Development in Arts and Health

Join us for an illuminating discussion about the evolving role of professional artists in health settings. Dr. Sarah Hoover, Associate Dean for Innovation in the Arts and Health of Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, and Elke Downer, Senior Manager at JoyRx Music of the Children’s Cancer Association will share insights and outcomes from their roles as co-chairs of the Artist Workforce Development committee of the National Organization for the Arts in Health including a pathway to certification for arts in health practitioners.

Elke Downer – MA

As the JoyRx Music Senior Manager at Children’s Cancer Association, Elke oversees a national team of music specialists and manages a portfolio of more than 30 pediatric hospitals and healthcare sites to bring the healing power of music to kids across the country. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, she holds an MA in Arts in Medicine from the University of Florida, a BS in Human Development from Warner Pacific University, and certifications from Musician’s Institute.

Elke is an active member of the National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH), where she co-chairs the Professionalization Committee and Artist Workforce Development committee that recently published a paper on Advancing Practice in Arts in Health.

Recent speaking engagements include OHSU Pediatric Grand Rounds (2025), the UF Center for Arts in Medicine “Arts in Health Webinar Series” (2025), the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers Conference (2024), the International Association of Music & Medicine conferences (2022, 2024), and the National Organization for Arts in Health conferences (2023, 2025, 2026).

Sarah Adams Hoover

Associate Dean for Innovation in the Arts and Health at the Peabody Institute Sarah Hoover leads initiatives linking the performing arts and health within Peabody, Johns Hopkins University, and Baltimore. Committed to advancing health in and through music-making, Hoover’s work supports music programs throughout Johns Hopkins Health System, creative aging programs in regional retirement communities, and injury prevention and performance health programs at Peabody. Alongside her book, Music as Care: Artistry in the Hospital Environment, these clinical and community programs have created novel educational and experiential career pathways for musicians in Arts in Health. As an advocate for artist capacity building, Hoover serves as Artist Workforce Development Committee chair and board member for the National Organization for Arts in Health. Prior to her appointment at Peabody, Hoover was a performer, teacher of singing, music journalist, and festival director and received degrees from Yale College (B.A.) and the Peabody Institute (D.M.A.).