Nurturing students
I love working with students who are eager to learn and excited about working with people as future music therapists. I think I have a special talent for working with students who are struggling a bit, but are determined to be successful.
I will spend extra time nurturing a student who has limited self-confidence or low self-esteem, but who is willing to work hard and follow through with difficult assignments. I have had several students who fit this description, and they are now highly successful music therapists who are working full time. Some of them have returned to give guest lectures to our current students. That is a real highlight for me and for them.
Getting to know students as individuals
I spend a good deal of time with students individually, either in advising for classes, supervising clinical work, or assisting them with their internship applications. In music therapy, it is imperative that a student has good interpersonal skills along with excellent music skills to go along with the knowledge base for the profession. As I get to know each student, I help them decide if music therapy is the right career path for them.
Skills to practice
Our students do several observations of music therapists working in different facilities in the area to help them understand the profession. Our students also practice skills through role-plays and clinical experiences in schools, community facilities, and health care facilities in the area.
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