The #1 question I get asked — whether via email, social media, or in person — is the following:
What is a typical day like for you, and how in the world do you manage to fit everything in?
Just this morning I was thinking to myself, “Hmm…I should probably write a blog post detailing my typical day so that when I receive this question in my inbox, I can simply respond with a link to the post.”
And then, as fate would have it, Michelle Erfurt tweeted later this morning that she would love to read a “day in the life of Rachel Rambach” blog post. Surely, a sign that I was meant to write this! So without further ado, here is a description of the typical day in the life of me.
4:40 am: My alarm goes off. It’s time to hit the gym, where I work out for a little under an hour. Then it’s time to head home, feed my dog, make coffee, pack my lunch, and browse through blog posts in my RSS reader as I eat breakfast (usually a protein shake). Then I get ready for work and am out the door by 7:20 am.
7:40 am: I arrive at The Hope Institute, where I work full-time. My first order of business is making sure everything is in order for that day’s music therapy classes. I set my visual schedule, select instruments, tune my guitar, and play through songs before each class. In the little time that is left before my morning classes, I respond to emails and consult with teachers.
11:00 am: On most days, my morning classes are over by this time and I take a quick break to eat lunch. I like to multi-task, so while I eat, I usually check up on my email inbox, Twitter, and Facebook. If my music therapy intern is with me, we’ll have our supervision meeting during lunch and go over plans for the afternoon and coming weeks.
12:00 pm: I’m lucky to have planning/creating time built into my schedule. Most of my songs are written during this hour, and I’m also able to record my instrumental tracks at work, since I have all of the equipment I need there to do it. However, I wait to record my vocals at home, since I share two walls with rather noisy classrooms :)
1:00 pm: I re-organize my desk space (things get a little cluttered when I’m songwriting or recording) and prepare for my afternoon classes. Then I head out with my cart and guitar.
2:30 pm: My afternoon classes are over, and I have a bit of time to catch up on data and paperwork before I head home at 3:00. This is also the time I write my to-do list for the evening and the next day.
3:30 pm: The first student arrives at my home studio for either a lesson or music therapy session. Typically, I see between 5-7 students each weekday in my private practice, totaling 30 students in all. I finish my lessons and sessions between 6:30 and 7:30 pm.
7:30 pm: Time to eat dinner and hang out with my husband and dog. Zach works long hours like I do, so we’re both pretty tired at this point. But my day’s work isn’t done yet…which is why most nights you’ll find me on the living room couch with my laptop open to a new blog post. I do most of my blogging in the evenings, though I usually set my posts to go live early the next morning.
9:00 pm: At this point, I usually go back to my office/studio (in the next room) for vocal recording. I’ll also mix and prepare my songs for use with students and of course, to post here at Listen & Learn. If I don’t have recording to do, I tackle other tasks like editing the Music Therapy Round Table podcast, paperwork for my private practice, tweaking my websites, or whatever else I didn’t get accomplished earlier in the day.
10:00 pm: One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to be in bed by this time each weeknight, since I have to wake up so darn early. (I used to stay up until 11 or so, which meant less than 6 hours of sleep!)
So there you go…a day in the life of a music therapist. We all have our own unique work situations and routines, of course, but this is what works best for me (for now, at least). What does your typical day look like?
Wow… After reading this, I think the main thing that stuck with me was that you get up at 4:30am! I admire your ‘sticktuitiveness’! Thank you for finding the time in your days to bless us all with applicable songs and blog posts. :)
Since today was my first day as a music therapist, I will post my ‘Day in the Life’ once my schedule is finalized. :)
I can’t wait to hear about your first official day on the job! Oh, and I’m totally going to start using that word…sticktuitiveness. Love it!
Hi Rachel,
I’ve been thinking about writing “A day in the life of” post and your post inspired me to do just that! Thank you! Susan
Hi Susan! I’m so glad my post inspired you — I’m looking forward to reading YOUR “day in the life” post! Thanks for visiting L&L :)
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for visiting me!:) As soon as my paypal account gets sorted out, I will be your newest premium site member, hooked on your garageband video tutorials for sure!
That’s wonderful to hear! I subscribed to your blog and read the latest few posts…can’t wait for more :)
I’m with Elise on this one, Rachel! Your dedication is incredible. 4:40 am is an early wake up call! But, you’ve inspired me to create a similar blocked schedule for the upcoming semester to further improve my “sticktuitiveness” (because we all know it’s important) when it comes to all my responsibilities!
As always, thanks for the plethora of resources, goodies, and fun, but most of all, thanks for your friendship and mentorship. Love Listen & Learn!
Wow, I’m with everyone else in saying that getting up at 4:30 am takes incredible dedication! You have incredible passion to be able to maintain such a non-stop schedule…I don’t work nearly as many hours and I’m still exhausted by the end of the day! Of course I am 4 months pregnant :)
However, your post has inspired me to get up earlier in the morning, and to better organize my day and to make better use of the time that I do have. I sympathize with the resolution to get to bed earlier: I usually don’t get to bed until 12 or 1 am.
Thank you for such an inspiring post!
Well you have a good excuse for being exhausted and needing more sleep! :) But I’m glad I have inspired you…I was inspired to start getting up so early a few years ago by a blog post, too. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and good luck with everything!
Holy smokes! You are one busy person! I have been struggling getting up early in the morning to exercise, but now I see I have no excuse! It seems like if it doesn’t get done in the morning, it doesn’t get done at all. Thanks for this cool insight on the life of a music therapist. Neat!
Wow! I have been in therapy for many years and also play the guitar. I’ve played at senior centers, but never thought of it as music therapy. I have played the guitar and for many years and after reading your schedule and commitment to your work I am inspired….Thanks for sharing your day and for your kindness. God Bless your work..
Amazing. This blog just gave me the push I needed to start teaching lessons.
Thank you.
That’s wonderful to hear! Best of luck to you!
Do you feel like you have a good work – life balance Rachel?? I am looking into a career in music therapy after primary school teaching for 3 years. Do you have much planning to do or report writing?
Steph
Hi Steph – I do feel that I have a good work/life balance, especially since going into private practice full time. I am able to plan my own days, so I make sure that my personal life gets the attention it needs while still getting all my work done. I will admit it can be a challenge at times (it’s tempting to keep working into the evening since my office is right there) but it’s definitely doable. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for the info, Rachel! I just graduated last month with a BA in music from Western Kentucky University. I then moved to Louisville to go to the University of Louisville to get my degree in music therapy. Do you have any advice for someone new to the world of MT? I want to work with teenage rape, domestic abuse, and trauma victims. I am also interested in working with military vets who come back from war with PTSD. Any and all advice would be appreciated!
I loved your blog post! I haven’t gotten a lot of insight yet to what all a MT does but this sure was helpful. Thanks for the info!
Hi Melissa! Congratulations on graduating with your BA! My advice is to talk about music therapy with anyone and everyone, because you never know to whom a person may be connected. Make business cards and carry them with you, even as a student and intern. While you’re still in school, volunteer with populations with whom you are interested in working. Do your research so you know your prospective populations, but keep an open mind about other populations, too. Reach out to other music therapists via email and social media. Please keep in touch and let me know if I can help. Best of luck!
I was wondering what type of data and paperwork do you do? I have a diagnostic essay to type up, and I chose Music Therapy. What are considered the convention or good standards in writing? What forms of writing is most common, and what are most important?