Where Do I Want To Be In 10 Years? This is the question asked by my Sophomore English teacher at WMHS. In ten years, I see my profession as a music therapist. I will have my Master’s in Music Therapy from Lesley University, NYU or Anna Maria College within 8 years after graduation. I will sing, play guitar, and play the keyboard for my music therapy profession to help ease patients during chemo, in the NICU, patients who have long stays in the hospital or alzheimers patients. I am excited to be in this profession because I can help so many people, young and old. There is nothing better than seeing a child or adult smile when they are so sick and knowing that you helped put that smile on their face. I hope to own my own business so that I can have many people working with me in this wonderful, helpful profession. By owning my own company, I will have a group of people that will help each other out when time off is needed.
In case you haven’t heard of Music Therapy…“Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
- Promote Wellness
- Manage Stress
- Alleviate Pain
- Express Feelings
- Enhance Memory
- Improve Communication
- Promote Physical Rehabilitation
Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare and educational settings.” (www.musictherapy.org)
According to the Music Therapy Association…“The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) supports music for all and applauds the efforts of individuals who share their music-making and time; we say the more music the better! But clinical music therapy is the only professional, research-based discipline that actively applies supportive science to the creative, emotional, and energizing experiences of music for health treatment and educational goals. Below are a few important facts about music therapy and the credentialed music therapists who practice it:
- Music therapists must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from one of AMTA’s 72 approved colleges and universities, including 1200 hours of clinical training.
- Music therapists must hold the MT-BC credential, issued through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, which protects the public by ensuring competent practice and requiring continuing education. Some states also require licensure for board-certified music therapists.
- Music Therapy is an evidence-based health profession with a strong research foundation.
- Music Therapy degrees require knowledge in psychology, medicine, and music.” (www.musictherapy.org)
I have always loved music and enjoy singing in chorus and in Acapella in my high school and I am very excited to go to college and have a career in something that makes me happy. Fingers crossed that I get accepted into the school I want to go to.
