Conference Take 2 (Pt. 2)

Thursday we had a board meeting to go over officer reports. It was exciting to report all of the things the students have accomplished in the past year. I was recognized in the minutes for the work that I'd done and got a few hints about some employment opportunities that may open up in the western region. hint hint. I'm thinking that some people would love it if I officially moved back to the region. Among officer reports, I found that were two people from "the media" present at our conference to learn more about music therapy. The board was trying to decide what to do with them, what to show them and the best way to present the best information. So I opened my big mouth and suggested that there be a media liaison that escorted them between sessions they wanted to see in order to ensure they were getting the correct information and saw the best we had to offer. Apparently suggested such an idea means you volunteer for it too. It was kind of nice to merge music therapy and what I've been doing in the festival the past few summers. I felt like a pro. I met with the two guys, planned their day to maximize their time and spent a few moments to answer any questions they might have. I was on fire. One of the guys sent an e mail Sunday evening thanking the conference chair and especially me for the extra time I spent answering questions - and he had a TON of them. That was really affirming.

So Thursday, in between the board meeting and meeting up with a co-presenter for lunch, I had the chance to check out the space at UNLV for the student one-day conference that coming Sunday. Yes- it was a whirlwind weekend. I am glad I got to see the space- especially before our student board meeting. It gave me a better idea of how the conference would run on Sunday. After that adventure and lunch, I had the chance to sit at the registration table with the AMTA Gov't Relations person and got to pick her brain for a few hours. It was also nice to see people as they registered and say hello- old friends and new friends.

By 5p the students had our own board meeting. Two of our officers were caught in this huge police check point, so they missed the meeting. We were able to catch up later. Out meeting ran right up to opening ceremony at 7p- which was a one-woman show by this performer, Kelly Clinton, who is also an advocate for music therapy. She happens to also be good friends with the conference chair- they used to play for Wayne Newton back in the day. I love Las Vegas. One of the other board members used to play trombone for Barbra Streisand a looong time ago. Naturally, I freaked at the news and had to ask her everything. She thought I was strange. Anyhow. The show was great. This woman puts on a wig and transforms- she doesn't even look like herself. She was able to come to a few other events in the weekend and I was able to visit with her. I told her that I wanted to come out and jam with her and she said that if I move to Las Vegas, I could have all of her wigs. Brilliant. She drives a hard bargain. I also helped her make the final decision to purchase a Las Vegas showgirl costume-- which I modeled Friday afternoon.

Yes. You read that correctly. Somewhere there are pictures and I am just waiting for people to send them to me. They were instructed to NOT post them on facebook. As you can imagine, it made for quite the splash. I was hearing about it all weekend. Fortunately, it wasn't a career wrecker, instead my bravery sort of impressed this person who is the director of the Masters program that I want to attend.