MT Nerd Alert

I just finished a couple of books and wanted to write a little something about them:


The Way of Music - Kalani
Kalani is a colleague and music therapist friend. We went through school around the same time at different schools. He developed a book on improvisation techniques and exercises. He draws from other sources of improvisation (Bruscia, Gardstrom, Wigram, Nordoff-Robbins, Victor Wooten) as well as his own experience as a percussionist and therapist. With each technique he explains, he offers exercises to try. Many of the techniques include both intra- and inter-personal exercises to practice and apply the techniques. I think its well written and explains things quite well. It looks a little more user friendly than Models of Improvisational Music Therapy and is closer in style to Gardstrom's book on techniques for group improvisation facilitation. I also really liked his distinction between improvisation and clinical improvisation.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Won't Stop Talking - Susan Cain
I loved reading this book. Its a hefty read, but I blew through it because it was so interesting. Only an introvert would by a book about introversion in order to have some alone time to think deeply about being introverted. It was lovely AND it helped me understand a bit more about how I function. She touches on topics like the neuroscience of introversion, intro- and extro-verts in business practices and leadership (and the strengths and weaknesses of both), and communicating with people of different types.
What I found most interesting was a chapter on when to act more extroverted than you really are. I was thinking about how I love the 5 days of go-go-go at conferences - the networking, the learning, the staying up late and getting up early feeling amazing, the music making and relationship building- and the thankful feeling that conferences only happen twice a year. I get so much out of each trip, but need a significant chunk of time to recharge when I return. I am social and a (fairly skilled) networker when needed, but then feel absolutely depleted of my energy afterwards.  This chapter also helped me prepare for meetings regarding contracts, new clients and my midyear board meeting because I picked up some great ideas on how to organize my thoughts. I don't always speak out in meetings because they move too fast. By the time I have thought about the topics or agenda items, we have moved on. I did "my homework" to free up my thinking power for more in the moment discussions. It helped.

I could go on and on about this book, so I'll stop here. 


Both titles are a bit of a far cry from 50 Shades of Grey, but I enjoyed them both. Thanks for nerd-ing out with me.

June

Oops Again.

I get so carried away with my projects that sometimes I forget to update.

Everything is going along swimmingly.
This week I am meeting with administration at the school where I contract to talk about renewing my contract. There have been many wonderful things happening with each client and Thursday is the time where I can bring in all of my experiences and data to the admin and talk about what is really happening in music. Of course, the lovely anecdotes from the other therapists, staff and teachers have also helped. I think I'm going to sit down and write out some of the things I know I want to tell her. Sometimes its difficult for me to hit all my points extemporaneously.
I am a "think of the perfect thing to say 3 days after the fact" person.

Today, I did an individual session with the OT and SLP. This student shows little motivation to participate in any activity, class, or group. But when music therapy was introduced into the environment, the student comes to life. The difference is significant. Today we were approximating (and in some cases imitating) each other's rhythmic patterns. In debriefing with the OT and SLP, it was one of those moments where I became re-excited about being a music therapist.

I am looking forward to more moments at the school, but I won't know for sure until I sign the dotted line (again).

This weekend I am headed to the east coast for a little R-ing&R-ful vacation to see my best friend Julie. I'll be in NYC for almost a week- which I think is also going to include a side adventure to Atlantic City. I've already decided to return with everything that I brought... unlike my last trip east.
I'm playing a few shows this summer as well as working garlic festival. As always, my plate is filling up rather quickly, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.