I’ve had such a rewarding career as a music therapist, small business owner, youth theatre director, college instructor, and mom! (that’s actually the hardest job of all). Anyway, I want to share a few moments along the way that have helped to shape and inspire the work that I have done for so long – and continue to love doing!
“D” was an elementary school child with cerebral palsy. I had the pleasure of working with him in his mainstreamed school setting for one of my practicum placements while I was at the College of Wooster in Ohio. With music as a mediator and motivator, “D” was able to improve his gait, strengthen his palmer and pincer grasps, acquire new academic information, and clarify his spoken language.
“C” was a young boy with Leukemia with whom I worked during my clinical training in Miami, Fla. Through singing, instrumental play, and song writing, “C” was able to understand his illness, express his emotions, tolerate his chemo, forget about his pain, and leave something behind for his family.
“P” was a patient (baby, and later a toddler) of mine with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in a pediatric sub-acute care facility early in my career. Music provided him the avenue through which to develop trust in and bond with others, tolerate and eventually crave therapeutic touch, accept and participate in treatments such as feeding and occupational therapies.
“T” was a pre-teen at that same hospital. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a serious car accident and was re-learning everything: walking, talking, eating, memory… Through music listening, singing, and eventual active music making and movement to music, “T”s other therapies were supported, decreasing the # of sessions needed to improve her motivation, strength, language, and overall rehab.
“S” was a teen with whom I worked in a day-treatment adolescent psychiatric facility. In addition to a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, “S” had a addiction to alcohol and cannabis. Through group music listening, song discussion and lyric analysis, song re-writing, and percussive improvisation, “S” began to express herself, accept responsibility for her path through addiction and self-help, decrease her use of the drugs, and improve her academic performance. She eventually got an after school job in the community.
“J” was a preschooler with autism for whom music therapy and sign language opened up doors to self-expression, language and communication, as well as social interaction and cooperative play. With sign language acquired through songs and musical play, “J” began to express his needs and desires, frustrations and challenges, and develop friendships.
My own two children signed at 6 1/2 months and “spoke” in fully signed sentences between 12 – 15 months – they learned their signs by watching me as I spoke, read, and sang songs with them. I love hearing from Baby Fingers parents about their own success signing with their children.
Several of my “theatre kids” got through their first time on stage with flying colors, feeling proud and motivated to participate in the next show!
And my college students are demonstrating a love for our field of study, also graduating and securing employment in the field.
Grateful to have work – and blessed to enjoy nearly every moment of it!
www.molloy.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/music-therapy