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| New music and music therapy students 2017-18 |
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| Ashley Griggs |
Ashley
Griggs has come
to the Woods after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bluegrass, Country,
and Old Time Music from East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Ashley is
pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy after debating about the
amount of time it would take to earn a second degree. “No matter what societal
norms dictate, there aren’t actually any rules about when you should finish
secondary education. I wanted playing music to be a fulfilling experience. I
love performing as a singer/songwriter. That will always be an important aspect
of my life, but I wanted to play music for people beyond the purposes of
entertainment.” Ashley reflects on her time at ETSU and compares it to her new
experiences here at SMWC: “I learned so much from masters of this music and
treasure my time there [at ETSU]. I knew coming into the music therapy program
that many people would be from different musical backgrounds, specifically
classical backgrounds, and I found this simultaneously terrifying and exciting.
I am also very aware that as future music therapists, we need to be
well-rounded musicians.” Ashley hopes to share her experiences with other
students as they share theirs with her. About the recent Homecoming Concert:
"Singing with the alumni made me feel more a part of this community. I was
also asked to play fiddle on a piece the Madrigals were doing. I never thought I would get to combine my
love of fiddle with my love of choral
music. I've always had to separate the two. In some ways this concert confirmed
that I made the right choice and coming to SMWC."
Abigail “Rose” Shaffer is a student majoring in Music Therapy with a primary instrument of saxophone. Rose has said, “The biggest surprise to me about the music therapy program is that it's very hands on at some points, which is great and fun!” She enjoys participating in musical experiences and then discussions of how the experience may be used in a session with clients. Rose looks forward to working with clients during her practicum experiences in the coming years: “I think while it'll provide a lot of challenges, it'll be worth it in the very end. Helping the client in the end is what's worth it.” When asked which SMWC tradition she finds most interesting, Rose said Big/Little Week. “It gives the freshmen a chance to make friends with an older student and have fun [while figuring out the identify of their] Big.”
Valerie
Haley
Caroline
Steinrock comes
from a long background of piano playing. “I have been playing since the second
grade, and I never want to stop learning!” She is now majoring in Music Therapy
with piano as her primary instrument. Since studying music at the collegiate
level, Caroline speaks of her new perspective of music: "I have been
exposed to many new musical experiences. I have never sung in a choir before,
and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how exciting it is! Making music with
that large of a group is exhilarating. Performing in the Homecoming Chorale
concert was an all-around memorable experience for me as a brand new student
here at The Woods. When we opened our portion of the concert with “Lion Sleeps
Tonight”, I immediately smiled and began to really get into the music. It was evident
that the audience really enjoyed our song selection, and I could feel a great
sense of community from where I was standing." When asked about her
experience so far at the Woods, she says, “I love being a Pomeroy, because
everyone around you is as passionate about their education and their talents as
you are. It’s a great environment to be in.”
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| Rose Shaffer |
Abigail “Rose” Shaffer is a student majoring in Music Therapy with a primary instrument of saxophone. Rose has said, “The biggest surprise to me about the music therapy program is that it's very hands on at some points, which is great and fun!” She enjoys participating in musical experiences and then discussions of how the experience may be used in a session with clients. Rose looks forward to working with clients during her practicum experiences in the coming years: “I think while it'll provide a lot of challenges, it'll be worth it in the very end. Helping the client in the end is what's worth it.” When asked which SMWC tradition she finds most interesting, Rose said Big/Little Week. “It gives the freshmen a chance to make friends with an older student and have fun [while figuring out the identify of their] Big.”
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| Valerie Haley |
is a new
student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy at SMWC
and one of the recipients of the 2017-18 Musician of Promise Scholarship.
Haley, one
of the 2017-18 Musician of Promise Scholarship winners, is also a member of the
SMWC Band, Chorale, and Madrigals. Valerie was drawn to music therapy because
it was a profession where she could utilize her gifts and talents to help
people in need. When asked about her biggest surprise about the SMWC Music
Therapy Program, Valerie stated, “It was a surprise to me how different each
student is and how each person comes from a different starting point. There are
so many different perspectives and the music faculty are really good at working
with each student at their own level.” Valerie reflects on the
recent Homecoming Concert: “It has been a lot of work keeping up with all
the music I’m supposed to learn between Chorale, Madrigals, and Band, but at
the same time, I love how my life has become totally saturated with music. I
particularly enjoy Madrigals because you can sense that everyone involved has a
deep love for music-making...I feel like this concert gave me a little more of
a connection to the College's past.” Valerie looks forward to Ring Day for
”it’s about accomplishment, growth, and maturity” and she finds it interesting
and meaningful.
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| Caroline Steinrock |
Sarah Petty, a Music major and flute
primary, talks about her love of music. “I have been in band since the 6th
grade, and taking private lessons for 6 years.” Sarah is preparing for the
Homecoming Concert in Band and Chorale: “In Band, the songs were coming together
smoothly and everyone was playing their right parts. And in Chorale, everyone
was singing the right parts and it flowed very well and everyone was blending.”
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| Ronald Brewer |
Ronald Brewer, a new music student and singer at the Woods, is open to
many types of music such as traditional, rock, hip hop, and others. He looks
forward to expanding his musical skills, “I definitely want to grow more in my
musical realms [for] both classical and musical theater. I would like to expand
my vocals to things like jazz and perhaps some forms of rock. I believe in keeping
yourself versatile.” So far, music theory and piano have been the most
challenging for Ronald, “I think I grasp both of those subjects conceptually,
but the actual execution is quite difficult.” Ronald is a member of the Woods Vocal Ensemble and has become involved in the fall theatrical production "Almost, Maine" which opens in November. When asked about the Homecoming Concert, he said, "I really enjoyed the energy of the audience. The enthusiasm
of the alumni definitely made things easier for us to go through. He is applying himself
and enjoying his experience as a Pomeroy: “It truly has been a blessing to be
able to thrust myself into the community and be involved on this beautiful
campus.”
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| Justine Gibson |
Justine Gibson, another recipient of the 2017-18 Musician of Promise Scholarship, is
majoring in Music Therapy with a primary study in voice. Justine discovered the power
of music after her grandfather suffered from an injury and used music to ease
pain during recovery. ”The effect music has on people” is what has drawn
Justine to the music therapy profession. Michael Boswell, the Music and Theatre Department’s
choral and voice professor, introduced Justine to music therapy as she studied
voice with him during her final years of high school. Justine has found the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music to be the most interesting topic mentioned in her introductory music therapy class this semester. Justine performed in the Homecoming
Concert as a member of both the Chorale and Madrigals. “It has been very fun. I love
to learn new music, especially if there is a lot of it. Just pushes me to work
harder! . . . my favorite part [of the Homecoming Concert] was when we were able to sing with the
Alums. Singing it [the Ring Song] with the alums just gave
me an even greater sense of unity, I just felt like I was right where I needed
to be in that moment.”
Music Therapy at the Woods -
Going Strong!
In addition to the growth in the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program continues to draw many students from across the country. Larisa McHugh, MTED Program Coordinator, and all the wonderful adjunct faculty and staff, are proud that the program celebrates 5 years! The Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, under the leadership of Dr. Tracy Richardson and in its 17th year, continues to develop and expand its reach through amazing student research, alums who are leaders in the field, and faculty experts.
Blog post interviewer: Sarah Cary, Music Therapy Student Assistant
Editor and Author: Sharon R. Boyle, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Therapy/Campus Equivalency
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For more information about the SMWC Undergraduate Music Therapy and Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus programs, contact:
Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC
sboyle@smwc.edu
For information about the SMWC Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, contact: Dr. Tracy Richardson, MT-BC
trichardson@smwc.edu
For more information about the SMWC Music Therapy Equivalency-Distance (MTED)Online program, contact: Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC
lmchugh@smwc.edu
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| New students showing their goofy sides - it is midterm after all! |
In addition to the growth in the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program continues to draw many students from across the country. Larisa McHugh, MTED Program Coordinator, and all the wonderful adjunct faculty and staff, are proud that the program celebrates 5 years! The Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, under the leadership of Dr. Tracy Richardson and in its 17th year, continues to develop and expand its reach through amazing student research, alums who are leaders in the field, and faculty experts.
Blog post interviewer: Sarah Cary, Music Therapy Student Assistant
Editor and Author: Sharon R. Boyle, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Therapy/Campus Equivalency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about the SMWC Undergraduate Music Therapy and Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus programs, contact:
Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC
sboyle@smwc.edu
For information about the SMWC Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, contact: Dr. Tracy Richardson, MT-BC
trichardson@smwc.edu
For more information about the SMWC Music Therapy Equivalency-Distance (MTED)Online program, contact: Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC
lmchugh@smwc.edu
