I started playing violin in the fourth grade. You can imagine what a fourth grader learning violin sounds like, but to me it was magic. I played in the school orchestra through elementary school. When I reached Junior high, I also picked up the cello and would play both instruments during performances. Soon after, I joined my school choir. I quickly moved into advanced orchestra and choir as well as playing in the school’s chamber group.
Halfway through high school, my family moved to a small town that had a choir but no orchestra, so I unfortunately stopped playing violin and cello altogether. I always imagined myself going off to college and joining a symphony after graduating, but unbeknownst to me at the time, I had several altered trails that I needed to trek in order to discover, well… myself.
I didn’t go to college. In fact, I left home early and dropped out of high school. I was a young adult in survival mode, facing several challenges like poverty, early parenthood, and a life altering health diagnosis. I felt bound by these things that were seemingly out of my control. Grasping for more out of life, I finished high school online at the age of 20 and began looking for a “practical” career. A friend suggested I try healthcare, so I enrolled in school to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). It was there in clinicals I found my love for healthcare. For the first time since I started playing the violin, I felt a glimpse of that magic again. I was where I was meant to be. I began working at a hospital while continuing education, where I became a certified patient care technician II (PCTII). I began preparing for nursing school, which was logically the next step, though I kept feeling pulled back towards music. I missed music. I missed me.
“I wish there was a way to bring healthcare and music together.”
A thought in my head turned into a Google search, where I discovered the incredible world of music therapy. My heart has set roots in this full circle moment, as I prepare to begin my senior year on my journey of dedicating my career to using music and instruments to help others achieve physical milestones, to heal, to grow, whatever their journey may be.
I always felt that my life circumstances were the cause of many “missed opportunities” in my life. However, in this moment of reflection, I just see magic and opportunity. My early years provided me with a solid musical foundation that I was able to lean on when I ultimately had to re-learn how to play the violin to audition for university. My health challenges gave me the strength and endurance to see the value in tough experiences. Every challenge I’ve experienced has given me knowledge and growth as a person. I didn’t “miss” anything. I was right there, seizing every growing opportunity that brought me to who I am today: an aspiring Music Therapist.
Attending college is hard when you have a full-time job, bills, a family, and health concerns. Yet it has been an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have made many wonderful friends that have been so encouraging as I strive to further develop my skills.
My emphasis is violin. I have spent my time at ASU developing my sound, technical skill, as well as working to create a place for the violin in the Music Therapy field. With the generational interests in music constantly evolving, I’ve been quite excited about using conventional instruments in non-conventional ways to engage with younger clients. I proudly perform with the ASU Philharmonia. I’m also learning piano, guitar, ukulele, and voice. I haven’t had the opportunity to join a choir with my heavy schedule, but I hope to get the chance someday! I plan to continue advancing my skills in between semesters and outside of school.
I have been out in the community participating at local organizations that provide music therapy as part of my bachelor’s program. Some of the most “aha” moments that I have experienced so far in this program were: witnessing a client experience increases/growth in goals I professionally created using instruments and connecting with a client that was originally closed off to the group, getting the chance to witness them experience joy and laughter throughout the music therapy session. Moments like these are my drive to continue to use music in healthcare. I’m currently exploring different focus areas such as neurorehabilitation, mental health, or working within the school systems, and am eager to see where I find myself in my career down the road once I obtain my master’s degree. Who knows, maybe I’ll keep going and open my own practice. Everything feels wide open right now. Everything feels like… magic.
What is something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Self-reflection is vital. In my studies, I was taught about the importance of self-reflection and how to practice this often. I learned that therapists don’t just know it all, but instead, are continually growing and reflecting just like those they are helping. This completely changed my perspective, not only educationally, but in everyday life.
In the beginning of my time at ASU, I was buried by all this pressure to get everything perfect the first time and that showing any faults was shameful. I would stay quiet or put myself down if I messed up in some way. As I started practicing self-reflection in class, I learned how to change my perspective on failure and, instead, use it to motivate growth. I found myself opening up to my experiences. I was less afraid of being “wrong/not good enough” and more eager and excited about what I could learn in that moment. I started applying this to multiple areas in my life and found myself feeling more confident, making more friends, achieving higher in school and work, and my internal voice was now providing more helpful feedback and less hurtful thoughts. I’ve learned so much about myself in this process, which has forever changed my perspective on life.
Which professor or faculty member taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
My answer to this is really a continuation of the first question. Dr. Melita Belgrave provided a learning environment that felt like a safe space for students to share individual perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. She taught us how to self-reflect while building awareness of different cultures and beliefs. While all the professors do a great job scaffolding these skill building lessons with the way they lay out their classes, my biggest “a-ha” happened in that space that Dr. Belgrave provided in her classroom when teaching us about self-reflection.
What are your plans after graduation?
First, I’m going to hug my family for being so extremely patient and supportive throughout my educational journey. It will be nice to spend a little quality time with them, after my schedule being 7 days a week for four years straight.
Career wise, I believe that as I get further into my senior year and experience my internship, I will have final insight into which area of music therapy I would like to start out with. I’m completely open as every semester I learn something new about myself and interests that I didn’t even think of before. As of right now, I’m heavily considering presenting a proposal to my current healthcare company on why I believe it’s important we include Music Therapy as another offered resource in neurologic rehabilitation. However, I’m also currently considering working within the school systems. I’ve seen up close that many schools don’t or cannot provide the resources that students desperately need. There’s so much work to be done there and that is very motivating for me. I also plan to have a lot of fun continually experimenting with different instruments in new and engaging ways for various clients/patients – further developing my musician skills and music therapy skills. I’m excited for all of it, really.
