by Rachel | Uncategorized
The second Tuesday of the month always brings a brand new episode of the Music Therapy Round Table podcast, and this time around, we’re talkin’ instruments.
Kimberly, Michelle and I took on the difficult task of narrowing down our most essential instruments for use in the music therapy setting; it was quite interesting to hear the differences and similarities in our answers, since the three of us work in varying environments.
Honestly, we could have gone on and on when it comes to the topic of instruments. After all, they are — like the title of the episode states — our tools of the trade. My studio is overflowing with small percussion, and I’m always looking for new additions to my collection.
What does your collection look like, and which instruments would you consider to be your essentials? Head on over and listen to the latest episode, and share your answers to these questions!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Yesterday during my presentation at the Sharing a Vision conference, I may have gotten a little carried away explaining just how powerful music can be, and how much I love what I do. If the attendees walked away having learned nothing at all (which I hope is not the case!), at least they will have recognized my genuine passion for music therapy.
And today, for the second time this week, I have the opportunity to educate another person about this field and what it’s like to be a part of it. A high school senior with an interest in music therapy is coming over to talk with me today, which is exciting but scary. I always feel a great deal of pressure when I talk to students, because I want to make sure I represent my field enthusiastically yet accurately.
After all, one of the most influential factors in my decision to do so was a job shadowing experience I had with a music therapist as an undergraduate student. Her passion was apparent; I saw with my own eyes just how much she enjoyed the work she was doing and how it was benefiting her clients.
As much as music therapists are advocates for our profession in the community — to parents, educators, legislators, other kinds of therapists, and the list goes on — I also feel like I have a responsibility to help our field grow. I’ve had many students come to observe or interview me about music therapy, and each time, I hope that I’m influencing them in the same way I was by a music therapist all those years ago.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Early last spring, I was invited to present at Illinois’ statewide Sharing a Vision early childhood conference. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since, and today is the day! My presentation, Music Therapy Techniques for School, Home & Play, is set to begin in just a couple of hours.
I’ve given similar presentations at quite a few conferences in the last couple of years, yet I never grow tired of sharing my passion with others — especially people who work with children like I do.
The opportunity to educate an entire room full of people about music therapy is priceless, and the fact that I get to make music with them (yes, I am bringing my guitar and a boatload of songs!) is just icing on the cake.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
After reading the inaugural issue of Imagine — the first online magazine dedicated to early childhood music therapy — last September, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next one. Luckily for me and the other music therapists of the world, it’s here!
Once again, I had the opportunity to submit an article to be included in the resources section. It’s called “Building Your Own Business in Early Childhood Music Therapy”. Flipping through the magazine, it’s obvious that I’m in good company. A few highlights:
- “Advocating for Music as an Essential Early Childhood Experience” by Dena Register
- “Understanding Development in Early Childhood Music Therapy” by Rebecca Wellman
- “Biddy Biddy: A Song Without Words” by Carol Ann Blank
- “Cool Music Apps for Little Ones” by Petra Kern
- “Laughter in Music Therapy and With Young Children” by Kalani Das
- “Music Therapists Talk About Self-Care: A Video Interview” by Kat Fulton
All of this excellent information in one place is getting me fired up for the American Music Therapy Association’s national conference, which is coming up in less than two months. I just booked my plane ticket last night and can’t wait to see many of the contributors to Imagine in the flesh!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Last spring, I chronicled the renovation of my new studio right here at Listen & Learn. I asked readers for decorating and organizing suggestions, and was thrilled to receive a boatload of ideas from the wonderful Susan Seale, who has a music and movement education studio of her own.
The pictures Susan sent me of her studio sparked a fun idea: why not showcase the places where my readers create, teach, and facilitate musical experiences? So this is the inaugural edition of a new series called “My Musical Space” — beginning with Susan’s beautiful studio. (Click the pictures to view larger versions.) Let’s start with the entrance and waiting room:
“These are photos of the hallway, looking into the office with it’s busy-ness and the organized but extremely busy storage beside the office (and thankfully out of view of my clients…when I have the curtain drawn).”
“I have a ton of equipment and movement props that are organized into cupboards made for me:) Storage for ukuleles and orff instrumentarium, puppets, percussion, rainsticks..super long ones!”
“The floors are fun here…specially designed pattern in the music room to facilitate movement with the very young. Two pianos. I don’t know if you can see in the photos, but I have a tree net scrunched up hanging on the wall beside the ball bag. I hang the net across the opening to the piano area and store big instruments like the cello and such behind the net during my baby classes…to keep babies and instruments safe.”
Thank you so much, Susan, for giving us an inside look at your amazing musical space! You can learn more about Susan, her studio, and all her brilliant ideas by visiting her blog, Make Me Musical.
Readers: if you’d like to submit pictures and captions of YOUR musical space for an upcoming feature, please email them to me. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a studio; maybe your musical space is your car, or a corner of your living room, or the closet-sized office where you work (I used to have one of those!). Whatever it may be, I’d love for you to share with us.
