Being a music therapy student at Nazareth gives you the opportunity to get involved outside of your coursework. One way you can do this is by joining AMTAS, or American Music Therapy Association – Students. I am a member of AMTAS this year, and I’m also the club’s historian. I think it’s a great way to get involved in the music therapy major. This club is the student chapter of the larger American Music Therapy Association, and participates in events, workshops, and conferences. Our student chapter has had the opportunity to attend several conferences, such as the Regional Conference (which this last year was in Rochester!), National Conference, and Naz even hosts their own mini-conference, inviting professionals from around Rochester to present. Another conference that Nazareth students attend is called Passages. AMTAS had a group of upperclassman music therapy students present at Passages this year and I had the chance to interview two of them, Madeline Mitchell ‘20 and Emily Match ‘20.
Q: What exactly is Passages and how did you find out about the conference?
Emily: Passages is an annual conference for music therapy students and young professionals in the region. I found out about the conference last year when it was at Molloy College near my hometown. I planned on going but got sick, so then I decided I would try to go next year instead.
Madeline: The conference is also free, which is great, and is organized for and by music therapy students and young professionals. I found out about Passages through being a member of AMTAS my freshman year.
Q: What experiences did you gain from going to Passages? Also, what was your favorite memory from the conference?
Emily: I gained the experience of an 11-hour car ride, eating at the Waffle House for the first time, and having the opportunity to be a presenter! Also, this was the first year that Passages was giving scholarships to student members who show leadership and success, and I was presented with that scholarship! My favorite memory was eating with other students and learning about the music therapy programs at their schools. I also learned a lot about clinical experiences from interns that I met at Passages.
Madeline: One experience I gained was from the keynote speaker, Adenike Webb, who really renewed my faith in the importance of social activism and cultural awareness in the field of music therapy through her presentation. I think my favorite memory was also getting to know the other students from our mid-Atlantic region.
Q: How did it feel to present at a conference as an undergrad?
Emily: I got to present about an interdisciplinary service trip to Nicaragua that I took last year, and honestly, being able to present at a conference as an undergrad felt empowering and I highly recommend it. Presenting taught me a lot about professionalism, work ethic, and it led me to consider my overall presentation more in-depth than I would have without being a presenter.
Q: Do you think being a music therapy student at Naz has given you opportunities that you wouldn’t have had elsewhere?
Madeline: I think that every music therapy program will give you different opportunities, but Nazareth has provided me with certain opportunities that are right for me. Our presentation was about the service trip to Nicaragua that I know wouldn’t have been possible at another school. Additionally, Nazareth funded our extra costs, like food and lodging, which is fantastic.
Emily: Yes! Naz is fantastic. Our knowledge and passion have been manifested in a unique way, thanks to our amazing professors and collective ambition for success. I really recommend going to Passages as a music therapy major, because it is a great way to get involved in our region. It’s a fairly small conference focused on student success, and it’s an easier way to gain new perspectives on music therapy without taking it to a national level.
Want to learn more about music therapy at Naz? Check out Connor’s post, I Am Music Therapy @ Naz, or his post about his experience at Passages!