Day One - JAFSP

We all made it to Jamaica. Let me add that this is not a trip to a Sandals resort or one of the walled beach areas for tourists. We are lucky to see the real Jamaica, meet the people in their own environment, and learn how important having all of us buying dinner from the locals is on their local economy. I can't even describe it. After driving through remote villages/towns, down roads with people selling bananas, mangoes, etc., after seeing some very extreme poverty in rural Jamaica (but only from the road, not up close yet), I'm sitting in a tree house, listening to the ocean and the tree frogs, I'm soaked with sweat, and wondering if there is a creature walking on the floor...or worse, one of the 4-5 inch carnivorous centipedes, and wondering if the staff person will bring me a mosquito netting after all (which he did! Hooray for George!). I am thankful there is a fan in here, which will likely make sleeping more possible. The breezes coming in the windows (well, the openings in my hut) are stronger now which is wonderful. 

The flights went fine and I was amazed at how quickly we got here. An hour to Atlanta and then another 2.5 hours to Jamaica. The wait at the airport took awhile, but I'm told it went fast for what usually happens. I finally put my contacts back in once in Montego Bay. I was tired of my glasses sliding down my face in the heat. We walked outside and I felt I might lose my breath with the heat and humidity. Thankfully, there are typically breezes, which makes the heat bearable. I know I'll forsake any attempt at make up, though, which is nice. Eric Wills, the Director, went over the itinerary and rules...I was very impressed at the organization. Tracy Wanamaker, my co-music therapy supervisor on this trip, told me she's been doing 3-4 miles on the treadmill each day to prepare for the hike. Am I going to die in the jungle? 

The bus ride was actually pretty nice until about 3 hours in..then I was tired of talking, my legs hurt, and the roads got bumpy so I started to feel a little woozy. Mainly because the only thing I'd eaten was some trail mix I bought in Atlanta. I was sick with hunger, literally. That, and exhaustion. All the students looked worn out as well. We're all acclimating to the heat/humidity. 

When we got here, and went to our huts, I realized that I have one lamp in the entire place, so I have my flashlight to get around and to try to find things in my bag. It was dark when we got here around 7:00 p.m. We're an hour BEHIND Indiana because while they are on Eastern Standard time, they don't observe Daylight Savings Time. And we're so close to the equator the sun is down early. 


We walked up the road for dinner (in the dark because we all forgot to carry flashlights) and found candles lighting up a dining place. These local guys can see in the dimmest light. Eric said it is because electricity is SO expensive. He said his energy bill is ridiculous here. So there I sat, at this little bar counter place, eating jerk chicken off of foil with my fingers. It was awesome. I also had breadfruit and some type of bread. It was truly great. But I couldn't help but think I was dreaming the whole time. 


Tomorrow is free time for the students to tour the area and the supervisors will visit the sites we will work in next week. I'll see the infirmary (one of the worst in the country in terms of conditions), the School of Hope (school for children with special needs, including hearing impairments), and the homeless shelter. The man who owns Great Huts where we are staying supports the homeless shelter. 


At this point, I'm still learning what my role is with the students, how much I will need to implement myself in terms of music-based activities, etc. I am also trying to learn all the students' names. This is a large group of around 20-25 new people I need to get to know very quickly. 


I am looking forward to it...and hoping I don't find a scorpion in my shower tomorrow morning! I promise to load pictures sometime tomorrow when it is daylight and I can take some of this beautiful place.

Jamaica-Bound: Experiencing the Jamaica Field Service Project

Several students from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College have participated in the Jamaica Field Service Project, directed by Eric Wills, over the past couple of summers. This summer is no exception. Sherry Bube, music therapy junior, and Laura Kempton, music therapy senior, both applied and were accepted to participate in this unique experience. SMWC faculty member Sharon Boyle, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, has been selected to participate in the program this summer as a music therapy supervisor. Two music therapy supervisors (Tracy Wanamaker from SUNY-Potsdam will be working alongside Boyle) and approximately 16 music therapy students from all over the country, representing numerous music therapy programs, are on their way to Jamaica today to work as volunteers in an infirmary, homeless shelter, and school (School of Hope) in the Portland Parish, Jamaica. In addition, music educators and music education students and other volunteers will also participate in the June experience. 

Boyle will journal about her experience as a music therapy supervisor over the next ten days. Please check back to learn about her JAFSP experience and also see pictures of this beautiful, rural part of Jamaica.

In the recent Onyx magazine 4 of the students pictured in the student leaders article are music therapy majors. Sherry Bube, Student Senate President, was interviewed for the article. In addition, another music therapy student is pictured on the cover the magazine. Our music therapy students are consistently strong academically, service-oriented, and are leaders on campus and in the community-at-large!

Many of our music therapy students were able to participate in the SMWC Madrigals Choir Tour to France this month. Check out their travels at the SMWC Choir blog here: http://smwcchoirs.blogspot.com

First Year of Music Therapy: Freshmen Perspective

Four freshmen in the SMWC Undergraduate Music Therapy Program took some time out during their always busy schedules to talk about their first year experiences as music therapy students.

Why did you choose to pursue music therapy?

Beth: I’ve always been drawn to music and helping others. At first I was pursuing music therapy because it was something “different” and I wanted to learn to use it - but now, I realize I’ve been preparing for this my whole life.

Paige: I came to this school looking into a psychology degree, but I spoke with music professors because I did not want to give up my violin. That is when Sharon Boyle, Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Therapy, described the field to me and I instantly knew what I wanted to do.

Rachel: I chose to pursue music therapy because it combines the art of music with the passion for helping people, which is exactly what I wanted.

Brittany: I’ve always been really interested in music and I’ve also wanted to help people in some way. I was planning on going into psychology or nursing, but when I heard about music therapy I thought it was too good to be true. I did some research and found out it’s the best of both worlds. This is my dream come true!

What has surprised you most about studying music therapy or about the SMWC academic experience?

Rachel: My schedule seems crazy and sometimes is, but when I step back and refresh my mind it doesn’t seem as bad. It’s gotten easier with time.

Beth: The scope of the field is so much deeper and broader than I could’ve ever imagined, and I’m still just scratching the surface. Coming from being homeschooled, it’s been really great to have such small, intimate classes in which to explore.

Brittany: It’s hard to balance school, work, and home all at once. Studying music therapy is wonderful, but making sure that I’m maintaining good grades and keeping everything in order has probably been the biggest challenge.

Paige: The most surprising thing to me is the level of personal drive you need to get through it all. It is so much more demanding than I imagined. I am also finding that I am more in love with my violin than I thought I could be. It is my rock and foundation because it is one thing that I am familiar with in this new experience.

As a first year student, what is it like having Field Class (group supervision) with upperclassmen?

Brittany: To be honest it’s a little odd. At first I felt out of place…but it’s been a wonderful experience. Getting to observe real music therapists with clients is also a great experience. It’s really helped develop my thinking. I can see that I am right where I belong.

Beth: It’s fantastic - I love getting to hear all the stories and experiences! I get to see all the things that I am learning from a textbook in action, which is really inspiring. All the upperclassmen are supportive and encouraging…without field class I would have had a hard time keeping perspective on why I love this field.

Rachel: At first it was nerve-racking but now I realize that it’s very informative. I learn a lot when we have discussions, and it sticks because it was not just written in a book!

Paige: Field class is a great experience for me. I have many friends who go to much bigger schools and they are surprised to know that I am already able to observe a professional as a freshman. Being around the upperclassmen also gives me confidence in what I am working towards and support on which I can depend.

(1st photo: Beth Allard is an Honors student, Student Senator, and studies piano; 2nd photo: Rachel Drach is an Honors student, studies voice, and loves Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups; 3rd photo: Paige Fath is a Western-style rider for the SMWC Equestrian Team, and studies voice/violin; 4th Photo: Brittany Cheesman studies voice and maintains a part-time job at Wal-Mart.)

--Article written by Cathleen Flynn, Music Therapy Student Assistant

Ring Day Recipients

The following music therapy majors will receive their Woods Ring this Saturday, March 31st on Ring Day:
Grace Dubrowski
Cathleen Flynn
Laura Kempton
Megan Neyer
Jamie Ubalde
Kirsten Webb

Ring Day is a very important tradition and legacy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. To learn more about this tradition, check out our website.

We congratulate our students!

SMWC Music Therapy Club Executive Board 2012-13

The Music Therapy Club at SMWC held their elections for next year and here are the results:

- President: Cathleen Flynn
- Vice President: Sherry Bube
- Treasurer: Beth Allard
- Secretary: Kirsten Webb
- Parliamentarian: pending

Congratulations to the new officers!