by Alisabeth Hopper | Jan 1, 2016 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Happy New Year, everybody!
Can you believe that we made it? 2016 has begun!
I know for some of us a new year means a new start, a new workout regimen, a new set of books to read before next year, or a resolution.
To be honest I didn’t plan to have a “resolution” this year. Life is a bit hectic for me right now to say the least. I have finished four years of schooling and am officially over halfway finished with my internship. I am that much closer to being a certified professional and reaching a goal which I have been working toward and planning for since I was fourteen.
My plan for my break was to catch up on work and maybe even get ahead… so I’ll just be upfront with you… that did not happen. It is now three days until we are back in the grind of crazy life and this blog post is my first completed task on my to do list. Whats crazy though, is that I am entirely okay with it.
Over my break I actively chose to make decisions that would bring me joy, not happiness, but lasting, true joy. So instead of making myself complete and assignment that wasn’t due for another week, with a frazzled holiday mindset I chose not to. Instead, I spent time with my family, I laughed, I babysat my cousin, I bonded with my brother and brothers in law. I fostered relationships that were important to me. And when, on occasion I had free time alone after others had gone to sleep, I found that I enjoyed doing research and looking up ideas for the clients I see in my internship. I found that I would have bursts of random ideas for songs, interventions, even documentation.
I was inspired. The joy that I had decided to bring into my life was now fueling a passion and drive to complete the work I had determined to be taxing from the start.
My new years resolution this year is to choose joy in my daily life and actively pursue a personal and professional lifestyle which allows me to do that.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Jan 1, 2016 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello Everybody,
This last week has been much more of an introspective sort of week. My internship supervisors have completed my midterm evaluation and have asked me to evaluate myself as well. This is very difficult to do because I want to be the best therapist I can be. Unfortunately, that leads me to hold myself to unreasonable and at times, unrealistic expectations for myself.
So I have been trudging through this challenging task with all of this in mind. Fortunately for me a very important point was brought to my attention…
A few days ago I was working on the pediatrics floor of St. Johns hospital when I approached a patient’s room. As usual I knocked, said hello, introduced myself and what I do and asked if the patient would be interested in doing music with me. The patient shook his head and said no. With the guardian’s interest and encouragement I walked to the patients bedside and asked about the toys he was playing with.
Soon thereafter the patient agreed to playing a song. Throughout the session we took frequent breaks to talk about his family, toys, and interests of his. His affect was flat through most of the session but appeared to be relaxed so we kept going. Finally, it was time to go. After I sang goodbye, the patient’s eyes began to well up with tears and he nodded when his guardian asked him if he liked the music.
This patient did not express outright interest in active music making, but because I was able to engage with him he was able to have a musical experience that clearly meant a lot to him in the end.
The reason why I tell this story is because three months ago when I first began my internship, I would not have attempted engaged a patient after being told no. I’m not even sure that I would have left my supervisor’s side in any given patient’s room. Internships are meant to be challenging, difficult, new, exciting, terrifying, eye opening, and truly an experience that can only be defined as organized chaos. This enviornment fosters rapid growth.
To measure success without understanding where I have been and where I am now would be an entirely inaccurate and meaningless measurement.
So my very important point, or epiphany was centered around the idea of growth.
Growth is the most important thing. No greatness came from stagnation.
If you’re growing your getting closer to your goals everyday.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Dec 17, 2015 | MTC
Hello again!
I hope you all have had a lovely week.
My week was very special as it ended with our recital on Saturday. But this wasn’t just any recital, this was the first recital that I have ever been to where I have students and clients participating. I discovered that this perspective is different, but in many ways very similar.
For instance, it was in no way less stressful. I was overwhelmed with nerves and excitement as my students took the stage to play their piece. I’m sure that my face had turned red as red can be. When they played their piece they played beautifully, they kept going when they made mistakes, they got up on stage even having just overcome an illness, and for some they performed regardless of ability or disability but because they had a song to show the world and this was their stage to do it. Some of my students were elated to having been on stage, and some were so overwhelmed with excitement that they ran off stage when they were done.
It was one of those moments where I’m trying to look composed and keep it together when I just want to throw both arms up in the air and do a victory dance every time they get the transition, every time they complete a song beautifully, every time they remember all. of. the. words.
What I thought I knew was that I would be proud of them, what I didn’t know was how proud. I am so lucky to be able to work with a group of people who make my world a brighter place every single day. Not many people can say that they love what they do, but because of these people, I really do.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Dec 9, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello Everybody,
This last week at MTC was full of emotions whether that be anxiety, sadness, or pure joy. When last week began I was up to my neck in things to do, what with a midterm, multiple assignments, session planning, documentation, recording, and then of course trying to squeeze in time to see my family and enjoy a bit of the holiday season. I was beginning to feel short of breath because of the sheer amount of things to do.
Then on top everything else I had recently seen a patient I have cared for over quite some time become very ill. They were doing well and I think it was at the point that they said the magic word “discharge” that I felt relief and sadness roll over me. I was of course relieved that the patient was going home, but at the same time I had not yet faced the fact that we could have lost that patient. It was at that moment that I realized how bad it could have been. In my documentation later that night I wrote this:
I have recently realized that there is a way for most practicing music therapists to keep certain parts of their lives and emotions separate from their career, but that is next to impossible in the hospital setting. When you’re sitting at the bedside of a child in great pain, facing a new diagnosis that will change their life, or even a terminal diagnosis you have to be able to be open to be able to convey a sense of honesty, care, and sympathy as they move through their hospitalization. But I think that when we open ourselves up at that deep level we accept that we carry them with us. I feel that way about this one particular patient. I carry them with me.
Needless to say I had a lot going on, but I never for one moment felt alone. I am blessed to have a wonderful support system in my personal life, but also supervisors who support me in my endeavors through this dense learning process called internship. My support system is so important to me. I can honestly say that after such a crazy week I had three times the laughter that I had to tears or fear. I am so thankful to have them through this amazing experience.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Dec 1, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello there! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving!
My Thanksgiving was filled to the brim with family time, pie, and turkey… so much turkey! Besides the overwhelming amount of food I also got to spend the entire week answering the ever-present question… “so what exactly is music therapy?” Everyone from my in-laws, to my great aunt and even my grandmother were asking me this recurring question.
As music therapists, students, and interns I think we eventually figure out how to answer that question based upon who were speaking to whether that’s straight to the point for our older relatives who are hard of hearing, to explaining the clinically based efficacy of music therapy to the doctor of the family, who honestly wants to know.
This week it became clearer to me how important advocacy is as a music therapist everywhere you go because we are a small profession. After I have explained what I do simply as “working to achieve non-musical goals with and through music” again and again and again over the years, my family has begun to remember it and repeat it when asked themselves.
Even now, after only five years much of my family have already become advocates for music therapy which makes me incredibly proud. That goes to show family is not only within your reach to advocate to, but when its all said and done, are usually the ones in your corner.
Have a great week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 25, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello Again!
This week I had the amazing and nerve-wrecking opportunity to go out on my own and do a classroom outreach presentation at a local preschool. I went to six classes throughout the course of the day, presenting multiple instruments and providing the opportunity to participate in a musical experience.
When Rachel and Katey introduced the idea to me, I was nervous but I knew that I could do it and that it would be a great experience so I hesitantly agreed. I had plenty of time to prep my music and run it by both supervisors before heading out on my first event completely solo. When I sat in front of the first classroom I was very nervous but my nerves quickly subsided as my focus set in and before I knew it, four hours had passed and the event was over.
I enjoyed the event, but what was most amazing was the confidence I felt going into my regularly scheduled sessions and groups afterward. Doing a preschool presentation completely solo was the most affirming experience I have had thus far. In the following days I found myself making more decisions and giving more input in sessions than I usually would. For instance:
We began our Listen & Learn for Little Ones classes again this week and with it being the first class back we would usually expect little participation and much hesitance on the part of the “little ones”, but not this week! Everyone was very excited, so excited in fact that when we began playing the ukulele song for a cool down almost everyone surrounded Katey reaching for the ukulele wanting so desperately to play. Before Tuesday I would have continued to allow my supervisor to lead without question, but with my new found confidence I decided to take the initiative to go get a second ukulele to assist her. This decision proved very helpful after all and now I am very glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
So, my words of wisdom for other interns out there are: if you’re asked to do something new and it scares you — do it anyway! Seek guidance when appropriate but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, because you never know when you will have a turning point.
Be brave, my fellow interns, and have a wonderful week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 17, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello again!
This week I wanted to share something special about myself; I am the ultimate planner. When I was growing up my mother had a rule: I was not allowed to plan my May birthday party until less than six months prior, because otherwise I would have planned five parties, two sleepovers, and a trip to the roller rink by the end of June.
Planning has always been a way for me to find excitement and positivity in any given situation and it is definitely something that I have carried into adulthood. Being a planner can be very helpful at times, but if I am being honest it can also be quite a hinderance.
Since I began my internship it has become very clear to me how little I know about my future. I could plan it fifty times over and never come to a clean-cut conclusion about where to go from here. As scary as it can be to trudge through the unknowns I try to remind myself that I am not the only intern in the world who is nervous about their future. I am one of many interns who is worried about finances, having a job after completing internship, and in general being a professional.
I am not alone here. I have my supervisors guiding me, past teachers cheering me on, and a supportive family. At the end of the day, I have to remind myself to step away from the calendar and to-do lists and find joy in this once in a lifetime experience I have here at internship, because it won’t last forever.
So, if you’re an intern and you are also feeling the weight of the rest of your life weighing on your shoulders, remember this: giving your all is enough, you are not alone, and this too shall pass so enjoy it while it lasts.
Wishing you all the best.
– AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 8, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello again, thank you again for following along with my internship journey!
This week in my supervision I was asked the motherload of questions: where do you want to be after internship? She had asked me this before, but it still took the breath from my lungs and for a minute I felt completely overwhelmed. I took a deep breath and began drawing out my plan to begin my own private practice in music therapy. As every word was falling from my mouth I felt every emotion on the spectrum from enthralled to nervous to how on earth am I going to make this work? With every answered question I had three more to ask and suddenly I was beginning to see how big this beast of business ownership can be.
As I moved into this weekend I was feeling the weight of my many thoughts, questions, concerns… until I remembered why I wanted to be a music therapist in the first place.
I grew up in a small town at least thirty minutes from any major grocery stores or eateries that didn’t involve pizza, Mexican food, or some true blue down home cookin’ and I loved it. But as I grew a bit older and began to notice the limited resources there for people in need I felt a call to action come over me. That’s where my drive to help others began. This combined with my love of music and by age 15 I knew with everything I had that I was going to be a music therapist.
Remembering this, I knew that reaching out to a community new to music therapy may not be an easy or quickly achieved endeavor but it’s what i want to do, I want to make a difference.
Thanks for reading!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 3, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello, and welcome back!
This week my assignment was to shadow a professional in something other than music therapy. Immediately I knew I wanted to shadow a child life specialist. I chose that profession specifically because I knew so little about it, and I was soon about to get a full experience.
During my shadowing experience, I watched this child life specialist walk children through procedures, provide comfort and distraction throughout the procedure, and implement a regular reward system afterwards which usually is an item that has been donated like a stuffed animal or a toy. The things these children endure are difficult and painful for most adults, so extra care should be in place to allow these children to excel throughout hospitalization and beyond.
The child life specialist mentioned one word particularly often, and that was normalization. Normalization for these children is essential and is addressed in many different facets through the eyes of a child life specialist and also as a music therapist. As music therapists we provide opportunities for expression, coping with hospitalization, pain management, and more.
What was so impactful for me this week was realizing how intertwined child life and music therapy are as professions. When we as music therapists can connect with other professions, collaborate, and work together as a team, we only build a stronger treatment for our clients and patients in turn.
Thanks for reading!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 27, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello and welcome back to the intern’s corner!
These last two weeks were full of affirming moments. The type of moments that make you say “this is what I’m meant to be doing!” Whether it was watching a child learning how to conduct and waving their hands in tremendous gesture in our exploratory music class, or when a client who is not usually very expressive shows concern for my well being. Or even this story, which is my favorite of all:
We have been working on a cross-generational duet with a grandmother and her granddaughter. When working through the granddaughters part alone her teacher mentioned that it is important to keep going even if you make a mistake because then the duo will stay together. When we brought both parts together, the granddaughter’s ideal tempo for this piece was a bit faster than her grandmother had originally intended. They were doing very well until the grandmother stopped in the middle of the piece. It was in that moment that the granddaughter pulled her hands off the piano and into the air and said:
“Grandma, you have to keep going!”
There was one short moment of silence before all four of us began laughing. It was the kind of laughter you have with family, the one that makes your day that much brighter.
These moments I have had with students have made me feel so grateful that I chose the career I did. Its the little moments that make it so rewarding.
-AH
