Meet the IGP Team

MONICA KELSON, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Monica Kelson received her Doctor of Philosophy degreed (Ph.D) in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. Dr. Kelson has worked as a licensed Psychologist for over 20 years. She has expertise in trauma-informed care and has provided clinical services to children and adolescents with a wide range of problems including depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, attention disorders, behavioral problems, and bereavement. For over a decade, Dr. Kelson worked in community mental health and was the Director of Training at San Fernando Child Guidance Center. Dr. Kelson has extensive experience providing training and supervision to pre and post-doctoral level students. Dr. Kelson is an Expert Witness for the Children’s Court in Los Angeles. She has conducted a variety of psychological evaluations with adults and children. She is proficient in psychological testing and provides psychological and psycho-educational evaluations for IGP. She is bilingual in Spanish and, she has conducted psychotherapy as well as psychological evaluations in both English and Spanish.

PHIL BUCKMAN

Musician, Actor, Voiceover Professional

Originally from Queens, New York, former FILTER, current FUEL / PETTY CASH bassist, Phil Buckman arrived in Los Angeles (by way of Baltimore, MD. and Boston, MA) as a teenager, and quickly made a name for himself in the L.A. music scene as the bassist for the dynamic TRIBAL SEX CULT. Upon the demise of T.S.C., Phil kept busy with a wide variety of projects including TEXTURE (Vital Recordings), HELICOPTER HELICOPTER (Initial Records), FINE (Flip Records) ONESIDEZERO (Maverick), THE IMPOSTERS (Interscope), KILL THE COMPLEX, THE SNOW (Northern Lights), vOLUMe, (ConCrete), and GO BETTY GO (sideonedummy), as well as contributing to various film and TV soundtracks.

Phil also enjoys a successful acting and voiceover career with series regular roles on such television shows as Drexell’s Class (FOX), Daddy’s Girls (CBS), City of Angels (CBS), Bob Patterson (ABC), and most recently in his role as art teacher, "Henry Preston", on the FOX hit, Boston Public.
For the past 16 years and counting, Phil’s voice has been heard by millions of people everyday on TV and radio, as the voice of the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant chains. He has also been the voice of The Today Show’s Toyota Summer Concert Series, Yamaha motorcycles and ATV’s, the World Of Warcraft video game, Nestle Crunch, Cheez-Its, and hundreds of other commercials, video games, cartoons, as well as countless promos for CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, PIVOT, Adult Swim, The Weather Channel, MSG, and more.

He was a musical mentor for Sonic Teens in the fall of 2017, where he used his talent to assist teens in using music and song writing to work through difficult life challenges.

CECILIA NOEL

Singer, Songwriter, Musician

Cecilia Noel is a performer, songwriter, producer, bandleader, mentor, and force of nature. A Peruvian native who is now an LA institution with her band, The Wild Clams, Cecilia lights up every stage she touches from the evening jazz set and the late night dance party to the headline spot both as a solo artist and with her husband, singer/songwriter and legendary front man of Men at Work, Colin Hay.

Surrounding herself with top LA talent, The Wild Clams are a massive band, at some points up to 16 pieces, that reflect Cecilia’s passion, flamboyance, and the many elements that influence her music from salsa and soul to jazz, funk, and afro-cuban.

Her most recent album, Havana Rocks, is the best example of this - an ambitious genre-bending project that took Cecilia to Havana to record MTV-era hits like “Whip It” and “I Touch Myself” and eventually earned Cecilia the Cubadisco International Award 2015, the first American album to win after the embargo. The album paired Cecilia with some of that country’s top musicians including Cubadisco Award winning tres player – San Miguel Perez.

As Cecilia was mentored in her early career by some of the greatest international band leaders like Carlo Berscia and Stan Getz, her meeting with San Miguel brought out the mentor and producer in Cecilia, leading to a collaboration as performers, songwriters, and recording artists. Cecilia played an integral role to the recording of San Miguel’s debut album including contributing to the first single, “Un Poquito de Amor Eve

ATOM WILLARD

Musician

Atom Willard grew up in San Diego and has been playing the drums since getting his first drum set at age 4. Playing in multiple bands starting at age 14, he went on his first US tour at age 17 and hasn’t stopped since. His first band Rocket From the Crypt was signed to Interscope records and toured the world multiple times over. He joined the Offspring in 2002 and then founded Angels and Airwaves in 2005 with Tom Delonge. He’s also played in Social Distortion, the Alkaline Trio, and Taking Back Sunday to name a few; most recently recording and touring with Against Me! And Laura Jane Grace.  Having recorded dozens of albums his studio experience is a welcome asset in helping those who need it get their musical, lyrical and emotional feelings onto tape.

JOHN LOUSTEAU

Musician, Sound Engineer

John was born in Texas and raised in Tennessee. For his 6th birthday, he got a Carpenters Album which was his inspiration to pursue music and songwriting. He played various instruments from the piano, violin to the trumpet. By age 14, he developed an interest in heavy rock and got his first drum set. He played drums in various bands during his late teens and early 20's in the Knoxville and Charleston area while working for a small record store. In 2005, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He has been working at Studio 606 (Foo Fighters Private Studio) since 2007.

At Studio 606, he has been an engineer, mixing engineer, producer, songwriter for over 100 albums. He is a tour band manager and still plays the drums monthly for various gigs. He is the song engineer for the Foo Fighters and worked with them on their various albums beginning in 2006.

If you are interested in learning more about his work, please see this link. https://www.discogs.com/artist/571684-John-Lousteau?page=

John worked as a musical mentor for Sonic Teens where he used his expertise and experience to help teens write, record and perform their own songs in 606 recording studio.

COURTNEY FORTUNE

Musician

Courtney Fortune is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and performance coach. She has been recognized by the John Lennon Foundation, Glamour Magazine and Genlux Magazine as "America's Next Big Jazz Singer”, and has written and performed songs for Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Japan, Disney, Cartoon Network, MTV and ABC. She was named one of Glamour Magazine’s “Top 10 College Women” in 2009, and received the Brian Wilson Musical Achievement Award for her work in the songwriting field.

Courtney works with some of the best in the industry, including her producer, 7x Grammy Award-nominee Chris Walden. She also performs at Disneyland with the Tim Gill All-Star Band.

Courtney is also the founder of Songmaker Sessions, a program that helps young songwriters improve their skills and confidence. She teaches workshops, masterclasses and speaks on topics relating to songwriting, performing, music business and arts advocacy.

Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry from the University of Southern California and is currently completing her Masters in Arts Leadership at the University of Southern California.

www.songmakersessions.com

MILES REGIS

Artist

In the life and studio of LA-based, Trinidad-born artist Miles Regis, every action is an opportunity for creative self-expression. Prolific in both fine art and fashion design, Regis freely swaps the materials and languages of each to enrich the other. His large-scale mixed media paintings on canvas and linen incorporate dimensional collage elements of denim, buttons, leather, printed matter, sequins, and patches of eclectically sourced found textiles along with his dexterous, gestural, richly hued abstract and figurative painting techniques. Aggressively hopeful and humanistic, Regis embraces a storytelling stance in his stylized renditions of fundamental scenes of love, loss, freedom, survival, activism, and living history. TAB TAB Tapping into the emotional experiences of exotic cultures around the world and presenting them in ways that are relevant to today’s modernized societies, Regis favors the simplicity of black and white structure, starkly juxtaposed with the complex dimensions of color; recurring motifs include his use of eyes, encouraging the viewer to look deeper. His paintings are often layered with vibrant hues, powerful imagery, text, abstract brush strokes, and purposeful objects the same eye-catching iconography and palette which also appear in his original wearable art. Hand-painted by the artist, each garment highlights a delicately detailed working of both surface and narrative, in the same process that expresses the personal and collective mythologies enshrined in his art works. TAB TAB During the summer of 2017 Regis made his first foray into the word of artisanal perfume, creating an original series of signature scents developed during a month-long art-and-fashion residency at LA’s Institute for Art and Olfaction. Regis has also been delving into new technologies as an early adopter of the emerging realm of Virtual Reality as a fine art application.

HIKE MKHOIAN

Art Facilitator

Hike has been a teacher for over 20 years, working with typical and special needs children in school and home environments. Throughout his teaching career he found art to be a wonderful addition to learning and developing healthy coping skills and self expression. While growing as a teacher, he also started and managed a non profit organization for 8 years, hosting monthly events to bring the community together for a given cause, i.e. hosting art parties at a battered women’s shelter or hosting parties for over 100 disabled adults. A few years ago he decided to open his own art studio. Art and Play in Sherman Oaks brings art to all ages. Hike’s creativity and warm disposition allows people to feel safe. Hike allows individuals to find ways of expressing themselves, heal from past experiences, and manage upcoming life challenges. Hike believes art is about the process, and he relishes in watching individuals find themselves through artistic means. He joined the IGP team because he believes in the benefits of teaching others how to use art to cope with negative life events.

SAN MIGUEL

Musician

In his home country of Cuba, San Miguel Perez is known as "El Tresero Moderno" (The Modern Tresero). An exceptional musician, he is considered one of the best tres and guitar players in Cuba and has been awarded with a Cubadisco Award for Best Tresero and Best Música Tradicional Cubana.

Born in Granma, Cuba, he is also a singer, percussionist and composer, and he is highly respected for his knowledge of Cuban music. In Cuba, he was an integral band member for Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son, (the “gentleman of son music”) as well as for Jóvenes Clásicos del Son, Soneros de Verdad, and the new generation of the now legendary "Buena Vista Social Club". In addition, he was part of the GRAMMY nominated production 100 Sones of Edesio Alejandro.

He now resides in Los Angeles, and most recently has been writing, playing and recording with Peruvian born singer-producer Cecilia Noël and with Grammy award winning artist Colin Hay (Men at Work).

His album UN POQUITO DE AMOR EVERYDAY, will be released this spring with a lead single “Un Poquito de Amor Everyday (Everybody Needs Some Love Today)”, a Spanish/English hybrid that features Colin Hay on English vocals.

San Miguel is currently serving as a musical mentor to the Sonic Young Adult Program at the Child and Family Guidance Center.

ROBIN DIAZ

Musician

Robin was born and raised in Los Angeles California. He began his love affair with drums at 6 years old, playing on boxes, pots and pans and then graduating to a drum kit at the age of 8. During Jr. High he was playing in multiple bands, garages and backyard parties; eventually graduating to the L.A. club scene. After high school he attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood California, under the PIT program. It was there that he studied with top session drummers and teachers Ray Luzier, Joe Pocaro, Ralph Humphries, and Fred Dinkens to name a few.

After graduating MI Robin began playing and recording with local artists in L.A. and then soon-after hitting the road. For Robin being on the road was not just about playing live, it was an opportunity to cultivate relationships with other musicians, singers, songwriters and producers who would later call upon him to record drums for their projects. From there it grew from one record then another, to having songs all over the radio; to having his recordings played all over the world. Not bad for a career that started on boxes, pots and pans!

BILL MCFADDEN

Musician, Songwriter, Music Equipment Manufacturer,Co-Owner of No Nuts Cymbal Sleeves

Originally from Rochester, New York, Bill was born into a musical family.  His father (piano) and mother (singer) were professional musicians and inspired Bill to play piano (Age 4), trumpet (Age 9), vocals (age 12) and bass (age 14).  Exceptional music programs in high school led Bill to the Vienna Music Festival (2nd), National Jazz (2nd) and various competitions.  Meanwhile, Bill purchased his first synthesizer in 1982, which continues to be his passion today as a keyboardist.   Pursuing a degree in chemical engineering and reaching executive level positions in the materials industry, Bill continued to pursue music as a professional hobby.   His Journey Tribute band, “Escape”, opened for Pat Benatar, Ambrosia, Jefferson Starship.  A career move to California introduced Bill to his friend and partner Rodney Pino.  From studio tracks, to band manager, to band member of “The Rodney Band”, to partners in a rehearsal facility to co-inventors and partners of No Nuts Cymbal Sleeves a growing percussion accessory business.

Bill found Sonic Teens through a series of coincidences beginning with his best friend in high school, Jeff Zehr.   Jeff’s sister Diana and Bill saw each other’s pictures with Dave Grohl which started a conversation.  "Next thing you know I am having lunch with Dr Brette, Diana’s best friend.   It is truly a small world and music is a common thread that brings us all together in so many ways. Music was always been an important psychological and physical release throughout my life and being able to share this experience with others has been an honour." 

DAVID HALICKY

Sound Engineer

David Halicky was involved in music from a very early age, learning piano at 6, trumpet at 8 and finally settling on drums at the age of 10. David is now an accomplished drummer and has been drumming for over 20 years. David has years of experience playing live and toured across America with Peachcake in 2008. He has recorded with a number of bands and enjoys writing songs. David earned his Associates Degree in Psychology from Scottsdale Community College. David acknowledges using music as a coping skill, both on and off of the stage.

Since 2016 David has volunteered his time at the Child and Family Guidance Center, serving as a mentor and sound engineer in the Sonic Teens program. In this capacity, David has helped motivate teens to write and record inspirational songs. With regard to his volunteer work he remarked, "My experience has been life changing and extremely positive for me and everyone involved."

JASON PACE

Voice over Artist,Actor

Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Human Development and a Master’s Degree in Education/Child Development at Wagner College.  He is best known for his on camera series regular role in the award winning UPN/CW sitcom “Girlfriends” playing opposite Emmy Winning actress Traci Ellis Ross, and Jill Marie Jones, as well as his run on the James Burrows directed CBS sitcom “Friends With Better Lives” with James Van Der Beek, Kevin Connolly, Brooklyn Decker & Zoë Lister Jones.  

Jason is also one of the leading voice over artists and directors in the industry.  His many voices can be heard as several different characters with roles in the animated films “Sing”, “Happy Feet One & Two”, “Rock Dog”, “Duck, Duck Goose”, “Finding Dory” & “Cars 3” to name a few.  He has also voice directed many of the Marvel, and Pixar blockbuster films, (Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 & 2, Black Panther, Ant Man, Cars 3, Finding Dory, etc.), as well as some of the top television hits such as “The Sopranos”, “Mad Men”, “Blacklist”, and many others

  As a way to give back to the community and to combat the increasing budget cuts to our local schools, Jason founded Children’s Playhouse Theater, A Performing Arts School & Camp for Kids. The curriculum has empowered children of the Los Angeles community to be confident, creative and kind, and has inspired thousands of school children in our community. 

Jason also began incorporating his passion of Psychology & Acting to create “The Psychology of Acting” workshop series as teacher and creativity coach. The workshops are based in Jungian & Depth Psychology and are created for the purpose of awakening the true self within us all.  He has taught these workshops throughout Los Angeles and New York.  Jason has had the pleasure of teachings these workshops at Anthony Meindl's Theater, Walt Disney Studios, Larchmont Charter School, Americas Theater Arts Foundation,  Professional Latinos in Entertainment with their Diversity Actors Workshop, and at Yale Drama with their summer program.  Jason is very excited to be partnering up with Innovative Group Psychotherapy Inc. as head of their Healing Through the Performing Arts & Acting Program.