Meet the Team
Benjamin Dows
Benjamin is a managing partner of Breakthrough Music Therapy and founded the company in 2020. He is a board-certified music therapist that specializes in childhood development. He has a bachelor’s degree in music performance and a master’s degree in music therapy. He has worked with a variety of populations, but currently the bulk of his work is with children and adolescents with developmental or behavioral health needs.
In music therapy practice, Benjamin endorses a holistic and person-centered approach in helping clients reach their goals. He is experienced with writing original compositions to use in therapy, and also records children’s music that has an emphasis on building strong developmental skills. Outside of music therapy, Benjamin enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and spending quality time with friends and family. (he/him/his)
Lauren Rowe
Lauren is a managing partner and clinical director at Breakthrough Music Therapy. She is a board certified music therapist that brings a wide variety of experience in client service and leadership to the team, with a special passion for working with children and families in the areas of intellectual and developmental needs. With a bachelors degree in music therapy from Elizabethtown College, she is excited to be working in the community where her career was developed.
In her practice, Lauren believes in approaching each person as an individual, acknowledging their unique experiences, strengths, and development to support them in overcoming life's barriers. This belief is carried out in the clinic space and when supporting staff through supervision.
Beyond the workplace, Lauren enjoys singing as part of her church worship team, finding and sharing great food, and spending time with people she loves. (she/her/hers)
Amy Christmas
Amy is the Clinical Coordinator and Internship Supervisor at Breakthrough Music Therapy. She earned a master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Drexel University and has been board-certified as a music therapist for over 20 years.
As a clinician, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience providing mental and behavioral health services across various levels of care, including inpatient, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and school-based. She combines a client-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative approach with evidence-based practices to inspire creativity, growth, and resilience.
Amy is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College and a freelance clarinetist. When she is not working, she devotes her time to family, friends, and the sacred journey of parenting her teenage daughter. (she/her/hers)
Devynn Napp-Barker
Devynn Napp-Barker is a board-certified music therapist at Breakthrough Music Therapy LLC. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Elizabethtown College, where he specialized in percussion as his primary instrument.
Devynn brings a wide range of clinical experience to his work, having supported individuals across diverse settings including rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, memory care, autism support classrooms, life skills programs, and with adults with intellectual disabilities and anxiety disorders. His approach is grounded in humanistic, individualized care—focusing on building positive, collaborative relationships that empower clients to express their needs, preferences, and goals through music.
Outside of his clinical work, Devynn enjoys performing on the drum set, spending time with his family, hiking to discover new waterfalls, and getting strikes at the bowling alley.
Dr. Gene Ann Behrens
Dr. Behrens, MT-BC, is a retired Professor Emeritus after 23 years of directing the music therapy program at Elizabethtown College. She is not an employee at Breakthrough Music Therapy. However, she is a frequent collaborator and a face that is often seen around the office.
With her undergraduate and doctoral degrees in music therapy and master’s/Ed.S. degrees in related healthcare areas, she continues a 48-year career as a board-certified music therapist, consultant, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who focuses on a neuro-informed perspective. Gene Ann contracts with and provides supervision and workshops for Breakthrough Music Therapy.
Gene Ann has given numerous presentations or workshops—with over 90 internationally in 24 countries, such as Japan, Turkey, India, Argentina, and South Korea—mostly focused on a neuro-informed approach to treatment, trauma, music, and related topics. She was especially honored to work as a music therapist or trauma specialist in Bethlehem, Occupied Palestinian Territory; Nairobi, Kenya; and Hargeisa, Somaliland. Gene Ann continues to write, consult, conduct workshops, and teach as an adjunct professor.
As an avid photographer, Gene Ann uses her camera to gain a unique perspective of the world as she travels. She has had three exhibitions of her photography, Behind the Walls, Reflections and Memories—My Visual Memoirs, and Womynfolk. (she/her/hers)
Adeline Gerz
Adeline is our current intern at Breakthrough Music Therapy. Her primary instrument is the violin, which she has been playing since she was about 10 years old. She finished her coursework at Elizabethtown College in May. While at Elizabethtown College, she was a tutor for many music courses, made the Dean's list for all semesters, and was honored with one of the college's Distinguished Student Awards for the senior class. Adeline also participated in the Elizabethtown College Community Orchestra and the Emotion dance club for all four years of her college education.
Adeline’s hobbies include dancing, reading, and watching movies, especially the newest Marvel movies. Adeline is looking forward to expanding her overall knowledge of music therapy through personal experience during her internship.