Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Meet one of our first year Music Therapy students!


Sherry Bube, music therapy major and soprano, is from Brown County, Indiana.


Prior to coming to SMWC, she studied music with Lindsay Medina (IU). She has a wide range of musical interests from folk to classical music, and loves to attend the opera when she has time. She enjoys traveling and has been to Australia and Germany. In addition, she loves acting and was the lead in SMWC's production of "The Winter's Tale" this Spring.

Why did you choose music therapy as a major?

I chose to study music therapy because it allows me to combine two passions of mine - music and a genuine interest in helping others. After researching the profession, it also appealed to me as something that I will receive great satisfaction from working in this field - not just in the short-term, but for the rest of my life. Because music is a modality that is found within all cultures and societies and spans across various facets (such as generations, races, education levels, and spiritual belief systems), it is a commonality that allows for a music therapist to work with clients from various populations and with different needs. Addressing the needs of the client in a way that provides a level of ease to them while working towards achieving non-musical goals (including communication, social, cognitive, and motor skills), drew me into the field of music therapy, as well as it being profession where I can have a rewarding career helping others through music.

Why did you decide to study music therapy at the Woods?

When looking at the various MT programs that other colleges had to offer, a drawback that I found was the lack of observation and field work time. In many places, you wouldn't start until your Junior or Senior year observing, whereas, here at SMWC, you begin observations as a freshman in your second semester and continue until graduation. Especially with the field of music therapy, there is a difference between reading about and learning about different aspects of it (such as assessment, treatment planning, data collection) to actually observing music therapy being implemented with a client or a group of clients. Another aspect that drew me to the MT program at the Woods was the small professor to student ratio. This particular aspect allows for one to be able to have a learning environment in which inquiry and exploration are encouraged, personalized attention is given in all classes, as well as being able to be challenged to grow and develop into a woman who is well-equipped to be a leader in her profession and community. Although there is much more that I could say about why I decided to come to the Woods, I highly recommend a campus visit so that you can discover your own reasons for choosing the Music Therapy program at SMWC. Although the program can be challenging at times, it is highly rewarding!

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