As I looked at the faces of my colleagues during my first week on the job, I could tell they were all silently asking this question. But really, I couldn’t blame them. Here I was, this 23-year-old kid fresh out of grad school, in my first “real” job, doing something no one around me had ever heard of. I put on a brave face, but I was scared.
Scared that I wouldn’t be taken seriously (I wasn’t, at first). Scared that I wouldn’t know what I was doing (I didn’t, at first). Scared that this place would be too much for me (it was, at first). But time passed. As I got more comfortable, I became a better therapist; as I became a better therapist, my colleagues began to understand — and even enjoy — this music therapy thing. They saw the positive effects it had on our students, which was all that really mattered.
There are still lots of people who don’t “get” music therapy, who question its validity. I’m lucky to have been able to educate so many people simply by doing my job, but my work is not done yet. (Check out Kimberly Sena Moore’s video What is Music Therapy? for more on this topic, as well as a recent podcast episode I co-hosted where we explore this question in depth.)
This past Sunday, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Zach is the planner when it comes to special occasions and vacations, so although I knew we were going to Chicago (we had a wedding there the night before), he surprised me with a stay at the W Hotel, a boat tour, several romantic meals, and a trip to the beach. Zach knows how much I love sun and sand, so it was quite a treat to spend the afternoon relaxing on the shore of Lake Michigan together.
And as I lay on that beach, enjoying the gorgeous weather and perfect company, I was reminded of just how lucky I really am. Not only do I have a loving and supportive husband, but together we have a beautiful home, an amazing family, and more blessings than we could even name. I have a career that I love and feel genuinely excited about when I wake up in the morning, and a place where I can share my work with people all over the world (you!) who find it interesting and valuable.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the tidal wave of life sometimes that we forget to step back and see the big picture. I’m often guilty of this myself. It took a day at the beach to make me realize that, all things considered, my life really is a day at the beach.
[For more mushy thoughts and snapshots from my anniversary weekend, feel free to visit my photo album on Facebook.]
Last Tuesday was a sad day in the Music Therapy Connections office/studio. It was the day I laid to rest a sturdy old workhorse, my HP DeskJet 940c printer. I’ve had this printer since my first day of college (all the way back in 2001), and it has sat on 4 different desks in 4 different cities since then. Not bad, considering I’ve been through 4 laptops in that time!
I owe my deceased DeskJet for all of my PECS cards, homemade visual aides, printed sheet music, and so much more. It worked hard right up until judgment day, when despite trying several new ink cartridges, it spewed out blank paper. Could it have been resuscitated? Probably. But I knew it was time to let go.
The HP OfficeJet Pro Wireless 8000 and I got off to a rocky start. But thanks to the intervention of a very sweet HP technical support person, our relationship was mended and now we’re working in harmony. Its wireless capabilities, 2-sided printing (save the rainforest!), and high quality printing have all but made up for the loss of old DeskJet.
But this isn’t the only new officemate around here. Last month, I added a couple that I still haven’t gotten around to posting. I will do that soon. In the meantime, have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend. See you back here in a couple of days for my new “Sunday Singalong” video!
These invitations went out in the mail last week, so if you live in the Springfield area, there’s a chance you’ve already received yours. But if not, consider yourself invited to my Time to Sing Hello CD Release Party! Here are the details:
CD Release Performance & Reception
Sunday, July 11 @ 2:00 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church
533 South Walnut Street
I’ll be performing songs from the album as an interactive experience for the children (and adults!) in attendance, followed by a cake-and-punch reception. It should be a fun afternoon, and a chance for all the wonderful people in my life to gather in one place and celebrate.
If you’re in my neck of the woods, I hope you’ll bring your family. To RSVP, send me an email and be sure to include a head count. Oh, and this is a completely casual affair, in case you were wondering. Let’s kick back and have a great time!
When my husband and I started house-hunting in January of 2009, I had one prerequisite: our home must have a dedicated space for a music therapy studio. I’d been traveling to my students’ homes (in addition to my full-time job at The Hope Institute) for two years, and I was exhausted. Not to mention that I had to turn away potential new students, because with all the commuting I was doing, I just didn’t have the time for them.
It didn’t take long to find the perfect house; in fact, it was the very first house we toured. Two months later, we were all moved in and I got to work furnishing, decorating and organizing my office/studio. On June 15, 2009, the doors were opened to my students.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the Music Therapy Connections studio, and what a year it has been! Since last June, we’ve doubled in size from 15 students to 30, and a lot of progress has made within these four walls. I love the fact that there is a room in my house devoted to all of the things I love: writing, recording, and using music to help children learn and grow.
Just for fun, here is a video I made last summer which takes you on a tour through my brand-new (at the time) studio. A lot has changed since then, but you get the general idea. Oh, and don’t mind my novice camera skills – they have since improved!
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
My Book + Course
This is the book + course that will help you shape your music therapy career in order to make more money and live your ideal lifestyle. Details here.
As I looked at the faces of my colleagues during my first week on the job, I could tell they were all silently asking this question. But really, I couldn’t blame them. Here I was, this 23-year-old kid fresh out of grad school, in my first “real” job, doing something no one around me had ever heard of. I put on a brave face, but I was scared.
