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| Olivia Wendel |
Olivia
Wendel, who plays flute and is a freshman music therapy
major, was originally going to major in Environmental Science, but she heard
about the music therapy program after enrolling at SMWC. “It just kind of
clicked in my mind that this is what I should be doing with my life.” Olivia
knew she had a passion for helping others and has always been musical
throughout her life. She says the
biggest surprises at SMWC have been the differences between coming from a large
high school to a small college: “You get more one-on-one attention if you ever
need it.” She is growing as a musician and she loves the opportunities. Olivia
advises future SMWC music therapy students to be ready for a new family. “You
have a huge support system that is helping and pushing you along the way. It's
truly an amazing thing.”
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| Jacob Wilson |
Jacob Wilson, a percussionist and freshman
music therapy major, had not heard of music therapy prior to applying to SMWC.
A percussionist, he had a lot of interest in psychology and becoming a
therapist. “I thought it [music therapy] was perfect. I could help people
through therapy and still have a strong connection to music.” To future SMWC
music therapy students: “Jump in and fear not, for your professors are there to
help you.” He adds: “If you have a natural inclination for music and want to
help people, what better way than to be a Music Therapist?” Jacob plays many
different instruments which will serve him well as a music therapist including:
guitar, piano, ocarina, and Native American flute.
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| Catherine Larson |
SMWC 2016-17 Musician of Promise Scholarship winner, Catherine Larson, is a soprano and
freshman music therapy major. Catherine is not a fan of large class sizes and uninterested
professors, so when she came to the Woods and saw the small student body and
invested professors she knew it was a good fit. “I just knew that this is where
I needed to be.” Reflecting on her campus visit where she learned about music
therapy, she says “I fell in love and everything fell into place.” Her
connections to professors and their willingness to help, along with how comfortable
and strongly organized the music therapy program is have been the biggest
surprises. Catherine’s advice for students interested in majoring in music
therapy? “Go ahead and do it. SMWC is very special especially the music program
and if you like small environments, and peace, this is the place to be.” She
adds that singing with the SMWC Chorale and Madrigals has been something she
dreamed of since seeing a concert as a prospective student.
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| Sara Langenberger |
Sara
Langenberger, soprano and sophomore in music, has
plans of changing her major after watching a video about Music Therapy helping
treat Alzheimer's Disease. “I have family members who have experienced this
disease, so it is very close to my heart. It sparked my interest, and the more
I learned about it the more I loved it!” Sara’s biggest surprise about the SMWC
Music Therapy Program has been “just how all of the teachers are genuinely kind
and want you to succeed, which is something you may not find at a large
college.” Her advice to future MT students: “Keep an open mind and get ready to
learn because this will truly change your life.”
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| Natalie Coffin |
Natalie
Coffin, singer/songwriter and pianist, is pursuing her
second bachelor’s degree in music therapy. “I have a BA in Creative Writing
from IUPUI and am a lifelong professional singer songwriter and musician who
was planning to go to law school. But
life took a different turn for me last year.
My mother became ill unexpectedly and passed away after a brief illness. I had a lot of hours to think about life in
the eight weeks she was in the hospital.
Before she passed away, in one of our last conversations, she told me to
create a life I would love, and to never give up on music. So…that is why I’m here.” Natalie feels music
therapy is such an exciting field. “In
this short time I can see that there is so much to learn, and yet, I feel as if
I’m already a part of a wonderful profession that has so much to offer not only
clients and patients, but also to us as Music Therapy students and eventually
as Music Therapists. I’m immensely
grateful to be studying Music Therapy at SMWC.” Reflecting on her decision to
apply and audition at SMWC, Natalie says, “The audition process was way out of
my comfort zone. It took a lot of
practice and a lot of prayer. And of
course, Professor Sharon Boyle and Dr. Tracy Richardson and the rest of the
entire department made it so easy. I can
honestly say it was one of my proudest life moments when I completed my
audition and was offered a place in the Music Therapy Program of SMWC. As Oprah says, it was a full circle moment
for me, one that I had dreamed about for a very long time…And the best part is,
I know that I am becoming an even better musician, expanding my skill set,
facing my fears, and living life without regret. How cool is that?” Natalie is hoping to add
the new songwriting emphasis to her major: “I am looking forward to learning
more about composition and notation as I have some music percolating in my mind
that is of the symphonic choral ensemble type.”
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| *Sarah Cary |
Sarah Cary, alto and transfer student
into the music therapy program this year, originally majored in Music Education
at another institution. “I began to look at other majors. While researching, I
came to the conclusion I was very interested in counseling and therapy
work. However, none of what I found included music and I wanted to keep music
within my career. For a while I thought there was no career that involved both
of my interests. I met a current music therapy student at SMWC and he spoke to
me about the major. “Since I’ve started, I am loving it! I was told so many
positive things about being a student at the Woods and I am now experiencing
them first-hand.” When asked about the biggest surprise about being in the SMWC
Music and Theatre Department, Sarah said she is amazed at how invested the instructors are in students' individual growth. “They ask us how we’re doing and are
actually interested in our answers. They want to make sure we are understanding
our school work and succeeding as much as possible. Our instructors are very
willing to help students outside of the classroom and let us know when we are
doing well. Our instructors make sure to let us know when we make improvements.
I really appreciate that.” Sarah’s advice to future students? “Work hard and
dedicate yourself. This is your future career and the only way to work well in
your field is to put in the work and dedication now.”
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| Toby Inserra |
Tobias
“Toby” Inserra, percussionist and freshman music therapy
major, knew he wanted to pursue music therapy from the start and loved SMWC
after visiting. “The biggest surprise has to be how much I love it! I just
thought it was going to be like any other degree program, but I quickly found
that I'm not here to get a degree I am here to get the foundation for my
career.” Toby’s advice to students looking into the music therapy program here?
“Do it! I was unsure if this was going to be the right fit for me, but it only
took one visit for me to figure out this is where I need to be. So just take a
chance and at least see what it’s all about.” Toby is excited to be part of the
renewal of the instrumental studies and band at SMWC. “As a percussionist, I am
really looking forward to being a part of the band brought back this year.
While we are just a small band now we will grow and become an integral part of
the SMWC music program.”
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| Annamaria Farmer, freshman MT major |
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| Jacob Reinhart, freshman music major |
*Blog post author:
Sarah Cary, Music Therapy Student Assistant
Editor and Blog Coordinator:
Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC
