A Life’s Journey

My path to Musical Wellness was circuitous, but at the same time direct. In terms of my education and studies it was very direct. I attended college, but did not major in music. As a result I took graduate level music classes and eventually received a degree in composition. Subsequently I became involved in modern dance intensely and focused on that training for about 7 years. I danced in a modern dance company and started becoming a choreographer. I taught creative movement and modern dance and music and movement for children. I became a parent to two adopted children. Then I discovered Dalcroze Eurhythmics, the study of music developed by Emile Jacques Dalcroze in Switzerland in the 1860s and taught to children studying music in Europe (still is today). Dalcroze was for me the perfect combination of dance and music and I was very excited about the training. I received Dalcroze Certification from Longy School of Music and began a new musical career, which continues today. 

In the meantime, I started to have difficult struggles with my children who were exhibiting huge behavioral challenges at home and at school. At first my husband and I had no idea what was going on and where this was coming from. We started seeing therapists and behaviorists and put them in multiple supportive programs, but the struggles continued. My daughter attempted suicide twice, starting when she was 13. My son exhibited extreme anger outbursts that resulted in aggression. He explored gangs. Both of my children ended up in residential programs for high school. 

This life and training experience brought me to the area of mental health. I was learning a lot from the treatment of my children. I was laid off from teaching at a school that I had been at for 14 years. I took the opportunity to explore work in mental health in families and was hired at a local social service agency as a Family Partner. The role, defined by the life experience of raising a child with mental health and behavioral issues, is to support parents who are going through the same experience. I found the work very rewarding, and it helped me understand my own family. 

Circling back to music 

Most recently, especially during the pandemic, I have been exploring Music and Dance Therapy. Years ago, I wanted to study Music Therapy and took one class in graduate school, but could not pursue it because there were no programs of study near where I was living. I rediscovered it two years ago and started coursework which I am in the process of continuing today. I have learned that Music and Dance Therapy accesses the heart of mental health challenges. Music is nonverbal and uses a part of the brain that is distinct. Therapeutic changes made through music go through different pathways of the brain. Therefore, it can be more effective than the “talk therapy” approach. 

Musical Wellness can be defined in many ways. Whether it is the accomplishments of a professional performer or the baby steps of a child learning the piano. When paired with therapy, music can create changes from the effect of feeling emotions when listening and playing music to the deep-down effects of accessing emotional and mental blocks in the brain. There are specific techniques for the many approaches it can take. The results can be astounding. 

As I move forward, I hope I can apply therapy to my teaching and want to work directly with clients and students in Musical Wellness. 

The journey continues. Let the healing begin. 

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