I'm leaving Easter Seals this summer so that I can pursue another passion that has been brewing since I graduated college and met a music therapist at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation while we were both volunteering for Re-member (so many stories here). In a nutshell... months after this volunteer trip, I was in Ann Arbor where I was able to go to a Children's Hospital (where Bob the music therapist works) and sit in for a number of music therapy sessions. I played guitar and sang songs to children from age 4 to adults around my age. I talked to parents who were visiting their children. We sang with a child who was about to enter surgery before she got her anesthesia to try to keep her calm and positive in what can be a scary or intimidating environment. The experience absolutely changed my life. A couple months later, not knowing what to do with life post college, I looked into music therapy programs, found a voice teacher and sang Italian arias day and night practicing for my music audition. In the end, I was accepted to Marylhurst University, but I had already moved to Washington DC in search of work to save up money for school--so I deferred for a year. It's been two years since I graduated from Lewis & Clark College Undergrad, and I'm going to be moving back in August to start school part time, and hopefully find an amazing family to nanny for while I study!
The program will take at least 3 years, so it would be a great length of time to really bond with an infant and/or toddler as they grow up! I could of course work at another day care facility, and I am also looking into it, but I think if I find the right match in a family, I'd prefer to work alongside a family and really strengthen those relationships over time.
My interest in music therapy has made playing guitar and singing a part of every single day with the toddlers at easter seals. Now the older ones make song requests with their limited vocabulary, and they sing inches from my face in a loud voice with occasional words (we are singing the ABCs and at some point I hear "I!" "Peee!"). I rarely get through a whole session of playing music without bursting out laughing with happiness. These kids are learning so much and they love music! I usually get hugs while playing guitar and one child kisses my guitar each time its time to say goodbye to the guitar. So cool to see children already expressing such a strong interest in music and musical instruments. Even though I'll be so sad to leave the kids here, I'm excited to really delve into music therapy and hopefully start building some new friendships with little ones in Portland! My next home for quite some time!
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