Conference

Good Grief.

I have a lot of report. It has now been an entire week since my conference and I feel like I am back in the swing of things. Going to conference is like being sucked into another time-space continuum. The days go faster and slower than the rest of reality; brain power is used differently, no time for naps and celebrating at the bar every night.

Its probably one of my most favorite events of the year. :) Not because we party every night, or get to see people present on topics, but because its one of the only times during the year that I get to see and connect with my friends in the profession. We stay up late because there is so much to catch up on and we literally laugh until it hurts. Last year if you recall, I had to do like four updates on the Las Vegas Conference and while I could easily match that this year, I'll try to keep it brief. I will say that this was a big conference for me- my first as a real MT-BC professional. I feel like I'm existing on a whole new playing field.

I started my trip out right- I stopped by Casey's for some lunch and to visit with her 8 month old. I call him Pao. He's sort of like my nephew/godson (unofficially)-- they refer to me as Auntie Lauren which makes me very happy. I don't know how else to refer to him. Anyhow. Had a great lunch with her and then met up with my roommate from Chapman for dinner aboard the Queen Mary. I don't get to see these people very often and I was thankful that the scheduling worked out. I wouldn't have gotten through my southern california years without them.

Wednesday-Thursday I attended an Institute (worth 15 continuing ed credits!) taught by one of the foremost therapist practicing in the Nordoff-Robbins model. He's written a boat load, has immense clinical experience and is an amazing improviser. Whoa. The institute was amazing- a 2 day intensive where we learned about theory, watched videos and excerpts, and played. We played and played. I learned quite a few new things and styles of improvising that I can't wait to practice and implement. We got to have dinner with this therapist ( me, my boys V and D, Helen, one of my professors from ASU and another professional I know from the area). It was great just to spend time. We laughed and laughed. Now V. and D. took the institute with me and participated in this opening session thing. Anyhow, the institute really opened my eyes. I felt like I was done with conference. It was pretty mind blowing. And The therapist has now encouraged me to check out their NY training program!!! WOOOO. Such a compliment.

Thursday night was the opening session. V., D., and I were apart of the sizzling house band. The opening session was a mock "Tonight Show" where the keynote gave her speech in the form of an interview. Well every Tonight Show needs a band. The Conference Chair/EmCee reigned in us (V.D. and I) and this percussionist, who happens to be bald and resembles (slightly) Paul Shaffer, to be our leader. We had keys, drums, bass and guitar. We did a bunch of Rock anthems (our theme was Rock the High C's) and it was a blast. At the last minute, I ended up doing almost all of the vocals along with D. which was unexpected. But amazing. In fact, we rocked so hard that I split my shirt open at the seams. Literally. I discovered a HUGE rip after the show. I haven't had that much fun playing (and SINGING no less) in a long while. That is how V. and D. became "my boys." I'm planning a trip down in May to visit and observe V. in clinical action and of course to play a little bit.

Following opening session, the therapist from the institute felt like jamming- so we went to the next room and played and played until we were literally shut down by hotel management. What a blast.

Sessions started Friday. I went to quite a few. A lot of them were eye opening and interesting. I will have the notes from those sessions forever, but I prefer to reflect on all the networking I did and all of the fun I had. Friday night there was a drum circle which was a lot of fun followed by going out to dinner. I spent time with some professionals from the board last year. They have years of clinical experience and it feels like they have taken me under their wing. I appreciate all of their advice and input and really feel like they have my best interests. I've learned a lot from them. We also laughed so hard that my sides were aching and that tears were streaming. Good grief. So fun.

Saturday I attended a session given by the current AMTA (national association) President. -- that's important to note for Sunday's story. Anyhow- Saturday evening was the actual end of conference. To close there was a chant circle- a western region staple. The people who run it are all from the western region. That was fun. Immediately following that, my friends had to attend a board meeting (I'm not on the board, so I didn't go of course) but I waited in the piano bar. I made a lot of new friends. A lady turning 70 who was really sassy, a tipsy 45 year old man who was hitting hard on the piano lady, and Leslie, the salty barkeep. She was great and she also made tasty drinks. I had a few hours to kill. We requested songs - the best being Can't Smile Without You-- and sang along. Then they invited me to play a tune. So I played a little something on the piano---- WELL. Turns out that the piano is the original piano on the Queen Mary. What does that mean? It means that Lauren Bevilacqua and Liberace have now played the same piano.

WHAT? Yep. That's right.

Sunday was the student conference. I was scheduled to present my case study in the afternoon- the last session before closing. It started at 8am. I wanted to shoot myself in the face it was so early. Plus all the going to bed late and getting up early made it that much harder to get up Sunday morning. But we (a friend of mine who is on the regional board again A. and the immediate past president P.) decided to do opening session and then go to breakfast. While at breakfast the AMTA president sat down with us. She recognized me from her presentation the day before. P. started talking about when I was student president and how "we have to keep our eye on her" kind of stuff- lovely things. The AMTA President then asked if I'd be interested in being on a panel about leadership at the national conference. Whoa! Another great opportunity. I told her I was interested and gave her my card for some more information.

My presentation went well too! The people attending really got into the video clips. It felt good.

I hopped down to SD to check out Holly's Diner in person and to have dinner with Holly and another friend from the fair. It was fabulous! My brain was fried from everything that happened and I'm sure I went on forever trying to explain to Holly all the music therapy stuff. It was wonderful to see them both.

Made it home monday and spent the last two days on a vacation. I need a vacation from my vacation. :)

Over all... this was a wonderful thing for me. It had reenergized me and helped me reconnect to old friends and make new friends. It's given me a lot of think about. Its resulted in a couple of trips to observe a few other professionals. It was fun. It brought it back to the music for me. I love that.

I'm feeling ready for my upcoming meeting at the school, fired up even.

So now I continue recuperating and unpacking and gearing up for the next few big things!