Tunefoolery

Tunefoolery Musicians in mental health recovery who play and perform music as a way to move towards healing

Musicians in mental health recovery who play and perform music as a way to move toward healing and joy.

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – May 13Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Feat...
05/06/2026

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – May 13

Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Feature and Open Mic at Arts at the Armory in Somerville on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

This month, we are proud to feature Tunefoolery members Robert Bonaccorso and Nate Dubick on vocals and guitar.

Robert Bonaccorso began playing music at just seven years old. By age eleven, he was already performing guitar and vocals in the very first folk mass in the Archdiocese of Boston in 1967. A turning point in Robert’s musical journey came when a supportive psychiatric nurse helped him attend a summer program at Berklee College of Music, an experience that helped fuel his passion and develop his skills.

For ten years, Robert shared music with patients at McLean Hospital’s geriatric psychiatric unit, an experience that shaped his commitment to using music as a force for connection and healing. He joined Tunefoolery in 2023, bringing with him a lifelong love of 1960s pop, especially The Beatles. Through Tunefoolery, Robert has found a world of friendships and a new, expanded life of performing that he never realized was within him. When he is not making music, Robert dives into another passion, literally, as a licensed scuba diver exploring the underwater world.

We are also proud to feature Nate Dubick, who joined Tunefoolery in November 2023. Nate’s music is powerful and compelling, carrying the depth of his lived experience as an addict who lived on the streets for many years. Through his songs and performances, Nate brings honesty, resilience, and connection to the stage.

Nate says, “I love being a member of Tunefoolery. I get to play music and share my story with patients in the hospital struggling with their mental health. Hopefully, I can inspire someone who might see themselves in me as I see myself in them.” Nate is currently in the process of recording his first album.

The evening will also include our Open Mic, which continues to be a welcoming and vibrant space for artists of all levels. Whether you are a seasoned performer or simply looking for a supportive place to share your music or creative work, the Tunefoolery open mic is a wonderful place to connect with community.

Tunefoolery is a collective of musicians in mental health recovery who use music as a tool for healing, advocacy, and community building. Our monthly events celebrate the power of creativity while offering a supportive and inclusive environment for artists and audiences alike.

Join us for a night of music, creativity, and connection.

Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA

Wednesday, May 13
7:00 pm
Free admission

For more information, visit www.tunefoolery.org or email [email protected].

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – April 8Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Fea...
04/01/2026

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – April 8

Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Feature and Open Mic at Arts at the Armory in Somerville on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

This month, we are proud to feature Tunefoolery member Rafael Hermann on violin.

Rafael first began playing violin in elementary school after being inspired by a classmate’s Show & Tell performance. He asked his parents if he could learn the instrument and has been playing ever since. He graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School in 1987 and received an Honorable Mention from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts in 1986–1987. He has also studied theory and ear training at UMass Boston.

Rafael joined Tunefoolery in 2008 and has performed at many of our coffee houses over the years. He is currently doing regular gigs as part of a duo with fellow Tunefoolery member and accordion player Eugene.

Rafael’s favorite composer is Sergei Prokofiev, and one of his greatest musical inspirations is legendary violinist David Oistrakh.

The evening will also include our Open Mic, which continues to be a welcoming and vibrant space for artists of all levels. Whether you are a seasoned performer or simply looking for a supportive place to share your music or creative work, the Tunefoolery open mic is a wonderful place to connect with community.

Tunefoolery is a collective of musicians in mental health recovery who use music as a tool for healing, advocacy, and community building. Our monthly events celebrate the power of creativity while offering a supportive and inclusive environment for artists and audiences alike.

Join us for a night of music, creativity, and connection.

Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA

Wednesday, April 8
7:00 pm
Free admission

For more information, visit www.tunefoolery.org or email [email protected].

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – March 11Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Fe...
03/06/2026

Tunefoolery Member Feature & Open Mic – March 11

Tunefoolery is excited to welcome everyone back to our monthly Member Feature and Open Mic at Arts at the Armory in Somerville on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm. Our community gathering returns for another evening of music, creativity, and connection. Admission is free and all are welcome.

This month we are proud to feature longtime Tunefoolery member David Hoffman. David joined Tunefoolery in 2006 as a classical guitarist and has been a valued part of the community ever since. He began studying classical guitar at the age of 10 and later took up piano at 15, continuing to develop his guitar playing through years of self-directed learning.

Over the years, David has been known to experiment beyond classical guitar, exploring other instruments and musical styles. In addition to guitar, he has played saxophone, performing in his church’s band when he was younger. More recently, David has been focusing much of his musical energy on electric bass, continuing his lifelong curiosity and growth as a musician.

David’s musical inspirations include jazz and gospel traditions as well as classical guitarists such as Julian Bream, John Williams, and Ana Vidovic. One of his current musical goals is to perform a guitar concerto with an orchestra.

When he is not playing music, David enjoys taking walks, spending time with friends, and eating out.

The evening will also feature our Open Mic, which has grown into a welcoming and vibrant space for artists of all levels. Whether you are a seasoned performer or simply looking for a supportive place to share your music or creative work, the Tunefoolery open mic is a great place to connect with the community.

Tunefoolery is a collective of musicians in mental health recovery who use music as a tool for healing, advocacy, and community building. Our monthly events celebrate the power of creativity while offering a supportive and inclusive environment for artists and audiences alike.

Join us for a night of great music and community.

Arts at the Armory�
191 Highland Ave�
Somerville, MA

Wednesday, March 11, �7:00 pm

Free admission

For more information, visit www.tunefoolery.org or email [email protected].

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

01/31/2026

We’re thrilled and grateful to have received a grant from the Somerville Arts Council! This support helps make possible our free, monthly public open mic at Rooted Armory Café in Somerville, as well as performances at venues serving Somerville seniors and residents.

Thank you to the Somerville Arts Council for continuing to support our work.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Happy New Year! See below for information about in-person and online open mics Tunefoolery is offering in January!
01/09/2026

Happy New Year! See below for information about in-person and online open mics Tunefoolery is offering in January!

Last Wednesday, Tunefoolery musicians Freeana and Jonathan performed for seniors at Cadbury Commons, a senior living com...
11/12/2025

Last Wednesday, Tunefoolery musicians Freeana and Jonathan performed for seniors at Cadbury Commons, a senior living community in Cambridge!

Freeana sang classics such as “Summertime,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” and “What A Wonderful World,” and also showed her talents on the recorder—one of several wind instruments she plays. Jonathan delivered emotional and deeply personal renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” and sang an original song, as well.

Tunefoolery, whose motto is “Musicians for Mental Health,” is a nonprofit organization comprised of musicians in mental health recovery who perform on inpatient units, nursing homes, and other places where live music is rarely heard.

Follow Tunefoolery on Instagram and Facebook to hear more about what we’re up to!

🎤 Tunefoolery Open Mic – Winter Update 🎤Hey friends, there will be no Tunefoolery Open Mic at Arts at the Armory during ...
11/07/2025

🎤 Tunefoolery Open Mic – Winter Update 🎤

Hey friends, there will be no Tunefoolery Open Mic at Arts at the Armory during November or December. We are taking a short winter break and will return in the new year ready to share more music, connection, and joy.

Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting musicians in mental health recovery. We look forward to seeing you again soon! 💜

– The Tunefoolery Team

On Sunday, Tunefoolery participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Cambridge! Among the performers was Joy Chesna, wh...
10/29/2025

On Sunday, Tunefoolery participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Cambridge! Among the performers was Joy Chesna, who said singing in front of so many people in such a beautiful place was a “dream come true.”

Held annually, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a nationwide fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care and research. This year, the event raised over $1.5 million.

Relatedly, Tunefoolery musicians perform weekly on the memory care unit at Cadbury Commons, a senior living community in Cambridge. This week’s performers are Jonathan, on voice and piano, and Eugene, on accordion.

Tunefoolery is a nonprofit organization comprised of musicians in mental health recovery. Our musicians lend their talents to nursing homes, inpatient units, day centers, and other areas where live music is not readily available. By the end of this month alone, Tunefoolery will have delivered over 60 performances across Greater Boston.

Follow Tunefoolery on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates on what we’re up to!

10/27/2025

Yesterday, Tunefoolery musician Jonathan Krushell performed for volunteers and staff of the Cambridge Women’s Center at Hong Kong Restaurant in Harvard Square! He sang a number of tunes from the Great American Songbook and folk revival traditions (like Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind,” below), as well as a couple of original songs.

Later on, Linda Chin, Tunefoolery Board Chair and Executive Director of the Cambridge Women's Center, and Dosa Chidandali, Director of Programs and Services at the center, spoke about the work the center is doing to uphold the values of inclusivity and community in Cambridge and beyond.

The night finished off with karaoke, where Dosa belted out Beyonce’s “Halo,” and Tunefoolery musician Joy Chesna sang ‘60s classic “Dancing In The Street,” a song she performs regularly during Tunefoolery’s weekly gigs.

Tunefoolery is a nonprofit organization for musicians in mental health recovery. Every week, its talented musicians deliver live music performances to nursing homes, inpatient units, and other areas throughout Greater Boston where live music is not readily available.

The Cambridge Women’s Center provides groups, workshops, and drop-in hours for anyone who identifies with the experience of being a woman. They are located at 46 Pleasant St. in Cambridge, and are open from 1-6pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Some groups are offered virtually.

Follow Tunefoolery’s Instagram and pages for regular updates and news about what’s going on at Tunefoolery!


Cambridge Community Foundation

🎶 Great news! Building belonging is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re so excited to share that Tunefoolery is ...
10/20/2025

🎶 Great news! Building belonging is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re so excited to share that Tunefoolery is one of 14 grant recipients in the Cambridge Community Foundation’s new initiative, Culture Connects Cambridge! 🌟

This incredible $1.4 million, multi-year investment supports arts and culture organizations that help make Cambridge a more connected, creative, and vibrant city. We’re deeply grateful to the Cambridge Community Foundation for believing in the power of music to bring people together and for including us in this inspiring community of artists and cultural leaders. 💜

Culture Connects Cambridge was shaped by CCF’s thoughtful research and heartfelt conversations with local artists, cultural workers, and organizations — and we’re proud to have been part of that process! Together, we’re helping build a city where everyone feels they belong through the joy and magic of art and music. 🎵✨

Learn more about our partnership at https://cambridgecf.org/ccf-announces-culture-connects-cambridge

Address

85 E Newton Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA
02118

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