Update

Hi Everyone


So sorry that I haven't updated recently. I can barely keep up with all of my documentation needs let alone the blog.

Since the last update, I attended the AMTA national conference in Atlanta and had a lovely time. I learned a lot, went to a bunch of meetings, and I even met Ben Folds, briefly. When I got back I had to hit the ground running for another musical, thanksgiving and regular sessions at the school.

Everything is going well. Everyday brings some sort of small miracles.
One of my mentors said that she loves being a music therapist because music therapy is the place for miracles. Miracle meaning something unexpected and wonderful. As a music therapist, she provides opportunities and the space for miracles to happen. I really liked that. Some days definitely feel miraculous. It feels like things are blossoming at the school as more and more teachers, staff and therapists are taking the time to talk to me..... or about me. All of it has been positive. My contract is up in a few weeks at which time we will be renegotiating. Right now it seems positive. I keep on getting emails about presentations and/or meetings, so I take that as a great sign too.

Every kid is a bit like a puzzle and I love trying to put some of the pieces together. I can't say enough how much I love working there. I am excited for the new year and continuing my work there.



Personally, I'm in the middle of a run of Disney's Tarzan. The last two shows I played - Little Shop of Horrors and now Tarzan--- have been some of the most wonderful and fun experiences. Especially Tarzan. The production is so beautiful, intricate, ambitious and artistic. The music is incredibly fun to play- I have a new appreciation for Phil Collins as a result. And the people I get to play with are incredibly gifted. I feel so lucky to be a small part of what makes this particular show go on. It makes me feel like I'm apart of something so special and I love that. One more weekend of shows, one more busy weekend of work and I will be done for the year and what a year it's been.

Starting My Full Schedule

After returning from retreat, the catch-up aspect has been brutal. Normally I'd have a little more time to be on top of all of my stuff, but I've been playing a show (which closes tomorrow). Complete with leaving for Conference next week AND Thanksgiving, I have to get many of my work days out of the way before the holiday. Oy.

Today has been productive. I have had the time to sit down at the Starbucks (Not having to drive back and forth increases the amount of time I have to be productive) and catch up on documentation on my first FULL week at the school. Phew. What a ride. Spending months meeting with people and planning this program has been completely worth it. I love what I do and I hope that the relationship can continue to grow.

Music Therapy story of the Week:

I had a lot of "first sessions" this week. One of my clients is one of those kids that people are concerned about. He's going through a tough transition that has been difficult. 

He's originally been scheduled to come to music with peers in the morning. I didn't think anything of it because I knew that the transition has been tough. To my surprise he came in a few minutes after the group was over with just his one on one aide. He immediately sat at the piano and began to play- he was calm and focused. He played for about 10 minutes. He filled in predictable spaces at the ends of phrases either by playing or completing a phrase. He smiled and even laughed a bit. I found out later that this particular morning had been a difficult morning which is why he didn't come to the group. 

I was sort of shocked to hear  this, although I know in my heart that music often works in this way. :) It was an amazing session!!

Later, the Executive Director found me later and said, "I heard you had a great session this morning." I told him a little bit about it and we both basically called it another victory for music. :) 

Tonight brings the second to the last show of Little Shop of Horrors. I will miss my boys in the pit. Its becoming more and more usual for me to be the only girl (or "chick" as my boys would say) in the pit. My favorite is to try and say things totally unexpected (and often inappropriate) to shock them. I usually succeed. I've really enjoyed getting back into playing shows- it makes me feel in community and happy. We are a little family back there--- albeit, a highly dysfunctional one. That makes me laugh out loud. 

I'm also grabbing dinner with my senior leader (from the recent retreat) tonight before the show-- I think she is even coming to see the show. She also makes me laugh out loud and should make for an interesting evening, one that I am really looking forward to. I like it when fun and sometimes unexpected things happen. 

Signing off from Starbucks! 

Retreat Wrap-Up

I am exhausted, but oh so happy. I am back from retreat again- the same retreat I had the opportunity to lead last year.
This yeas was equally amazing- maybe even more so.
The student leaders (the seniors) were absolutely incredible. The junior retreatants were there for all the right reasons. They were open and honest and started right out of the gate. And it just kept going and going.
The senior leader I was paired with was a gifted leader and wonderful person. We clicked right away and immediately dubbed ourselves The Dream Team and sometimes Double Trouble.... depending on the situation.
The talk I gave went well.
Everyone was wonderful- it was just what I needed.

And now I am tired and have to catch up on what I missed while I was off the grid.

I promise to update more frequently now, as a lot of is happening, like conference, another show and stuff. :) I will try to keep on top of things.... when I've gotten a little more sleep.

Happy Halloween

Today I am dressed up like someone who has the day off. :)

I'm in the middle of quite of a few projects - collecting proposals for my regional responsibilities, another show, an upcoming high school retreat, and upcoming music therapy conference. I am busy. On top of that, I am about to start my full schedule at the school.

The biggest news is that I have now become a LLC- officially. I've been hard at work with Dad to set up my bank accounts and government paper work. Its tough to get things set up and its been completely overwhelming, but worth it. Every time something gets ironed out, I feel more and more relieved. So I'm working on it. You can visit the new site:
www.lfbmusictherapy.com

(Constructive) Feedback is always welcome.

 I just got word that I am to start my regular schedule at the school on Wednesday. That includes 3 groups and 2 individuals. Thursday is a couple of sessions at the early intervention program and two individuals back at the school. Boy will I be tired by the time I get to the high school retreat! As always, I'm looking forward to it. I'm not doing anything that I don't want to be doing and I do like to keep busy.

I spoke to my friend Tim this morning. Tim is a master motivator, coach, therapist, parent, friend. He said that he works best like a top. A top works best when it spins fast- it gets wobbly when its slow. He puts out his best work when he's moving at his top-like pace. I think that sums it up pretty well for me too. So I'll keep spinning and moving forward.

For now, I am celebrating the spooky holiday by watching Arsenic and Old Lace as I prep for my week!
Have a wonderful Halloween!

Tic(k) Tock

I woke up with a strange eye tic this morning. I'm trying to get rid of it with coffee.

Yesterday I assessed a new client. Do you ever have days where you feel like you have no idea what you're doing? That was a little bit of yesterday. This new client is like no one I have ever worked with before... so I felt a little at a loss for a while. I have another assessment session coming up and I think I am more prepared for it.

Today I plan to start writing that report and shoe shopping. Two very important things. :)

Thursday

I've decided that I love being at the school. The people there: students, staff, teachers, therapists, administrators are all wonderful. I am really enjoying myself so far.

Today I have one session over there and then I am off to assess a new client through some contract work. This will be my first big formal assessment since my internship. I am looking forward to it, but also  a little nervous. There's just no way of knowing what its going to be like until I get there. So maybe I'm prepared. I had planned to do a little more preparation yesterday but I got sidetracked by other things.

Things are picking up in pace over here between work, the show that I'm playing in a couple of weeks and regional responsibilities. But it still feels fun and doesn't feel stressful.

I'm going to get going here this morning. Happy Thursday!

Moving Right Along

Things are moving right along over here.

High School Musical:
If you've ever started a program anywhere or had the experience of juggling schedules, then I salute you. Getting a schedule was quite possibly the most difficult part of this whole process. There are only a certain number of hours that I am on campus + kids schedules + other therapies + room availability = Crazy. But we got it done. Now I'm just waiting for my paperwork to clear and I can really start in on this schedule. Its an ambitious schedule and I'm seeing a ton of kids - although I still feel like I need more time every week. :)
I also submitted my first invoice to them today. Yippee!


Office Space:
I had a meeting with a speech therapist in the town just north of here. I found this SLP online in a random search. The website said part of the therapy program includes music, so naturally I sent her an email to find more information. The SLP wrote back right away saying that they've been searching for a music therapist in the area and would I be interested in meeting.

The meeting was interesting. I left not quite knowing what happened, but I felt that it was good. I shared a little video tape, talked about my training and the types of clients I see. Then they asked for a stack of business cards because they really feel like some of the kids they see need music. SOOOOoooo maybe I'll get a few referrals out of that?
Then the SLP basically said that if I wanted to use the office space there one or two days a week when they aren't there that we could probably work something out. But nothing was final... soooo I'm not quite sure. But it seemed positive. Wouldn't that be nice.

The more books, instruments and stuff I acquire, the more I feel like I will eventually need a separate office space. Julie says I should take my sister's room as my office. I seem to recall my sister using my room as her den for a while.

I laughed to myself out loud while cleverly pasting my head on these characters.



Um Yay- Best Friend is coming home for a short visit in a couple of weeks! And today is definitely a work from home in my comfies while taking care of regional business and business business.
Happy Friday!