Maddie DeBaun
The piano has always been a huge part of my life. I began taking lessons at a young age with my sisters, growing to pursue this as a firm extra-curricular activity when my parents realized I had a knack for it. My piano teacher, who I owe almost everything to, placed me in competitions and assessments to improve my theory and aural skills. Every year, I saw physical proof that I was skillful and good at something I loved doing. My father frequently reminded me that I had something special, and that it would be a waste to not pursue piano performance professionally. |
| Maddie in Church of the Immaculate Conception |
I was homeschooled all four years of high school, and this gave me more opportunities to practice. My teacher encouraged me to pursue playing Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# Minor. The large chords, rubato, and demanding skill of the performer excited me, and the entire piece became my new project. I worked hours upon hours mastering each measure; however, I began noticing an ache in my wrists. By age eighteen, I was diagnosed with tendonitis in both wrists. Any dreams I had of pursuing a career as a professional performer flew out the window. I didn’t know what to do anymore.
At the same time, I had to begin thinking about colleges I wanted to attend. Growing up in the Terre Haute area, and with my mother being a Woodsie, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was my top option. During my campus visit, my dad set it up for me to speak with faculty in the music department, and I met with an adjunct who introduced me to music therapy. Up until this moment, I had never heard of it, and did not know it was a career path. I have always known I wanted to help people in any way I could, and the idea of combining this with something I love – music – won me over. I knew that it wouldn’t be demanding on my wrists, and that I would be fulfilled in learning new instruments and challenging myself. Within the next few weeks, I had applied to SMWC, an audition already scheduled on the same day as my SAT exam. I remember vividly spending five hours that morning in an unfamiliar classroom, wracking my brain to remember basic algebra, then running home to change for my audition. SMWC was the only school I applied to, and I had high hopes for myself.
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| College PR picture of Maddie and friends in dorm |
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| Kahoot Dept Team Fall 2019 |
Fall 2019, I attended orientation at SMWC as an incoming freshman and met my fellow incoming music and music therapy majors. There was an instant click within our group, and I had a feeling that those people were going to become my close friends quickly. As a part of orientation, we were given the opportunity to have dinner with our professors, which included a game of Kahoot!. I put myself in charge of answering the questions as fast as possible, with Michael Boswell naming the freshmen group ‘SMELT’ with the first initials of all of our names. The Music and Theatre Department landed in second place due to a fatal mis-click on my part. I was told I was never going to hear the end of it and, as a senior, I can confirm this is true.
My freshman year began with a bang, and the fall semester ended in a blink. Spring semester rolled around, then just two months into classes, the whole world shut down. Classes became virtual and I found myself spending every day holed up in my room, grasping for any socialization I could get over Zoom. My voice lessons were done in my dining room, professors did their best to draw on their laptops, and my dog became my only in-person classmate. The months dragged on and I started to wonder if I would ever be able to return to the Conservatory again.
Spring semester of my freshman year, I received an email from Michael Boswell, asking if I would be interested in auditioning for Madrigals. My fellow freshmen and friends, Lydia Huston and Sophie Ricard, were already members, and at this time I viewed myself as having lesser vocal abilities. Prior to joining Chorale, I had little to no experience singing in ensembles, especially one that requires extensive skill. However, being someone that likes a challenge, I told him yes. During the audition, I displayed my sight reading skills and talked to Michael about the training I had prior to college. I walked out not knowing if I had a spot that spring or not, but I received an email from Michael congratulating the newest members – and I was included.
As a high schooler, I would have never imagined myself loving singing in an ensemble as much as I have. I did not enjoy Chorale until the Homecoming concert Fall 2019, where it struck me how beautiful singing is, and how valuable connection in a musical space is for people. This affected not only my view of music therapy, but also music as a whole. I am endlessly thankful for Michael for reaching out to me as a freshman and encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, musically and personally.
Sophomore year, we returned to campus with limited access. As a commuter, I was not allowed on the residential floors and classes were hybrid. We got creative in figuring out how to make music while being socially distanced and masked. Being the year that everyone talks about, it was extremely hard staying motivated and to ignore the anxiety in myself questioning if this was the right path for me. Practicum experiences were telehealth and choir concerts were virtual; yet we learned to make the most of it. Junior year was the first “real” school year I had. Many conversations with underclassmen surrounded the topic of “we aren’t sure because we’ve never done that before.” With the freshmen, we were acclimating ourselves to the campus and learning the ins and outs of being a full-time student – completely in-person.
The opportunity to be back on campus truly brought me out of my shell. The first two years of college, I struggled deeply. Balancing up to fourteen classes a semester, being on a collegiate sports team, and staying social pushed me to limits I didn’t even know I had. As a junior, I found myself opening my door to other students for support, homework help, and a shoulder to cry on. I took part in the “Big/Little” tradition and gained two wonderful Littles that stole my heart. And, as a second-semester Junior, I pushed myself to go even further and was voted President of the Music Therapy Student Association (MTSA) for the 2022-2023 school year. And that brings me to our senior year, where we find ourselves now.
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| Maddie with music therapy friends in Rooney Library |
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| Maddie on Ring Day 2022 |
As I reflect on the past four years, I find myself ever grateful for everyone that has supported me along this journey. My “Music Therapy Life Partner” (MTLP) Lydia Huston was a solid foundation I have leaned on – and will continue to lean on – as we figured out how to stay successful and committed in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. I have found someone that I can openly talk to about the struggles of being a perfectionist, the idea of leaving a place you call home, and going out into the world as a professional. Through encouragement to find myself, especially by my advisor and supervisor Sharon Boyle, I have gone on a beautiful journey – that still goes on – in accepting my heritage as a Korean American and delving into the pulls I’ve had to this culture. My experience at the Woods has helped me discover myself and be proud of who I am becoming as a future music therapist.
I think about those who have helped me find this identity, and my heart warms at the relationships I have made at SMWC. I owe so much to my incredible professors: Michael Boswell, Ron Maurey, Dr. John McIntyre, Dr. Matthew Balensuela, and Dr. Sharon Boyle. These are just a few names of people who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and stood behind me while I stumbled my way through my degree. My wonderful fellow seniors: Lydia Huston and Ethan Stattner. Our trio is unmatched, and I will never understand how three people can make so much noise – and for that, I am grateful. My beautiful Littles, my Music and Theatre Department peers, my coaches and teammates, and everyone else I have had the pleasure of knowing at the Woods, I have made it because of you.
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| Choir members after Christmas 2022 concert |
As a Madrigal, these words by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin in “La Providence’ have stuck out to me: En tout et partout, que la Volonté de Dieu soit accomplie. “All in all, may God’s Will be done.” These past four years have been the hardest four years of my life so far; but I have always been reminded to trust the process and everything will work out. I have placed my trust in those given to me, and He has never failed me yet. Being a Woodsie is a dream come true, and I will never forget the memories I have made here.
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| Maddie with Sophie and Lydia fall 2019 |
