by Rachel | Uncategorized
Pecha whatcha? That’s what I said when I was first told about this event, which was held for the second time around last night in my city. Pecha Kucha originated in Toyko back in 2003 and is the Japanese term for “chit chat” — which is basically what the event is all about.
The idea is that each presenter shows and discusses 20 slides for 20 seconds each on any creative topic. Last night’s presenters included an archaeologist, a “Legomaniac” (my personal favorite), an art gallery employee, a Zumba instructor, and several others…including me!
I had the opportunity to talk about my work as a music therapist, teacher, and singer/songwriter in front of about 200 people. I was a little intimidated at first by the huge crowd, but it is a very casual and laid-back atmosphere (there was a “beer break” in the middle of the event). My husband snapped the picture above on his iPhone.
If you are interested in seeing my presentation, come back on Sunday — it will be this week’s “Sunday Singalong” video! In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend. I know I will…I’m off to Chicago this afternoon, where I’m meeting up with my best friend for a girls’ weekend :)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
My favorite method of staying organized and on top of my life is making lists. But sometimes it’s just so much more convenient to scribble a note on a sticky pad and stick it somewhere I know I’ll see it later…like on my computer. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that my computer screen at work looked nearly identical to the one pictured above, with just a little more visible screen space, until I discovered the online resource I’m going to share with you today.
Lino It provides a virtual blank canvas to which you stick post-it type notes — simple as that. You can color code the notes, like I do for different areas of my life:
That’s a snapshot of part of my current to-do canvas. When I complete a task, I simply click the little checkmark and the sticky is “peeled” off. It’s much more satisfying to see a sticky disappear than it is to cross an item off of a paper list :) I set Lino It as my homepage so that each time I open my browser, the first thing I see is my to-do canvas. Let me tell you…it is quite effective!
Another cool thing about Lino It? Not only can you post sticky notes, but you can also post pictures, videos, and documents right to your canvas. I have another canvas that I use as an inspiration board; I post my goals, pictures that motivate me, and anything else that boosts my happiness level just by glancing at it. I look at my inspiration board throughout the day and add new items all the time.
This “Friday Fave” isn’t music-related, but hey, everyone needs to stay organized! Have you tried Lino It or another online tool to boost your productivity?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
This week, professional association membership has been a hot topic in the digital world among music therapists. It all started when music therapist Kat Fulton posted a link to an article she wrote in which she listed 10 reasons why she is a member of the American Music Therapy Association.
Kimberly, Michelle and I (also known as the Music Therapy Round Table) were so inspired by Kat’s article that we decided to continue the conversation on our podcast. So in Episode 9, we each discuss why we are members of various professional associations (both music therapy-related and otherwise) and what the benefits — and drawbacks — are.
So if you want to hear all about our thoughts on professional association memberships (among other things), head over to the MTRT and listen to Episode 9 or download it for free from iTunes. A perfect way to spend your Friday morning, in my opinion!
Speaking of Friday…what are your plans for the weekend? While my husband is in New Orleans for a guys’ weekend, I’m going to catch up on some recording I didn’t get done this week (thanks to a nasty cold) and spend some quality time with my dog. I’m so exciting, I know :) Have a good one!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Last month, Listen & Learn celebrated it’s 2nd birthday. I asked my newsletter subscribers to share with me their favorite L&L post or song, and in return, I chose 3 responses to share with you. Valerie K., Jess K., and Kathy S. will receive a physical copy of my studio album Time to Sing Hello in return for making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :) Thank you to everyone who emailed me notes of congrats, encouragement, and reasons why you keep coming back to Listen & Learn!
Valerie wrote:
After meeting you about a year ago at the 2009 AMTA conference, I have been amazed at your persistence and ability to do what you do. . .through your blog and music. You are definitely an inspiration for the rest of us, reminding us that our work never ends as music therapists. We all have valuable insights and information to share with others. My favorite song so far is the Shaky Fruit song!!!! I have used it multiple times over the past 2 weeks and at times adapt the words/music to go with the flow of the session, but I always keep the doot-doot part the same! I really need to learn another song…haha.
Jess wrote:
I am a recently board-certified music therapist and I have already taken to heart much of what you have written about and included in your blogs. My favorite posts of yours so far have been Is This Music Therapy Thing for Real? and Home Recording Studio Essentials. The former has been incredibly helpful for me, as a new professional working with children with disabilities. There is a big difference between being a graduate student/intern in the field and being considered a “young professional.” While I am excited for this leap into the professional realm, I am also incredibly nervous. It has certainly been a great comfort to me to read an excerpt about your journey as a music therapist and to know that you were once in the same, scared but hopeful place I am! As for your home recording studio essentials—well, I am constantly searching for ideas from people on how they record their music.
Kathy wrote:
I would have to say the posting about your recording studio was one of my favorites (there are many!). Setting up a recording studio like that has been one of my goals for over a year now and it was very helpful and empowering to see the visual images and read the descriptions. I’m actually opening my Snowball mic today and getting ready to make my first Garageband recording! An aside – every time my seven year old hears me checking e-mail and listening to your songs, she always comes running and says, “That’s my favorite singer!” She’s a big fan of Taylor Swift also so that is quite a compliment :-)
I’m a big fan of Taylor Swift, too, so I definitely take that as a huge compliment! Thanks again for the great responses. Oh, and if you haven’t joined my newsletter yet, you should do it now — this month’s edition is coming soon!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
They grow up so fast, don’t they? :) This month has been so incredibly busy that I missed Listen & Learn’s actual birthday (September 4, to be exact) but I figured it’s never too late to celebrate! 2 years and 485 posts is worth a little celebration, don’t you think?
My little website has been through a lot over the past 24 months. It started as a wee blogspot blog, and then became a BIG blogspot blog when it was featured as a “Blog of Note” by Blogger last September. But it outgrew its home this summer, and thus found a new one as a self-hosted WordPress site. Now it’s bigger and better than ever, and it’s not done growing yet!
Listen & Learn has allowed me so many great opportunities, including having a songbook published, recording a studio album, and meeting hundreds of wonderful readers (both online and in the real world). I have so many more plans for L&L — it feels like I’ve just gotten started!
I continue to be inspired by those of you who read, comment, and benefit from Listen & Learn, so I hope you’ll keep doing all of those things. I can’t wait to share what I have up my sleeve in the coming weeks, months, and years. Thank you so much for your support, and for helping me celebrate!
