Monthly Archives: January 2018

Here at Metro Music Therapy, we have the privilege of working with talented and hardworking interns as they grow into the amazing Music Therapists that they can be. Two interns per year, to be exact! The first internship period begins in August and ends in January, while the second internship period spans from December to May, finishing out the school year. Now read that last sentence again – carefully this time. Did you catch the overlap? Every year, there’s a brief and exciting period when both interns are here with us together! That time is now, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

Let’s take a moment to introduce (and brag on) our two wonderful interns, Camila Casaw (left) and Kristen Miller (right)!

Camila has been with us since August, which means she’ll be finishing up her internship mid-January. Camila has been an absolute joy! Her intuitive and sensitive – one could easily say “therapeutic” – approach is evident in every interaction she has with our clients. We’re sad to see her go, but so excited to see the differences she’s already made, and the ones she will continue to make in her career as a Music Therapist, wherever that leads!

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Camila,

Where did you go to school?
I went to Loyola University New Orleans. And of course I fell in love with New Orleans and all its charms!

How did you decide to pursue Music Therapy?
I actually started  as a psychology major but took the Intro to Music Therapy course my first semester, and fell in love with the field! I switched my major the next semester and it has been the best decision ever. I have always been passionate about being in a helping profession and I could not imagine my life without music, so eventually finding music therapy has been the best of both worlds! I am so grateful to be part of this field and cannot wait to keep learning and growing here!

What have been your top 3 experiences interning with Metro Music Therapy?
Tough question! It has been so much fun and I have so many memories, it is hard to pick three! In no particular order, here are my three:

During Halloween I got to sing “The Rainbow Connection” dressed as Kermit the Frog, which was a very special moment and maybe a once in a lifetime experience! Another of my favorite experiences has been able to sing in Spanish and connect with my Hispanic culture with one of our hospice clients. Learning songs in Spanish and embracing our common culture has definitely been a gift I did not expect to encounter! And for my third experience, I think just to be able to learn from all the therapists and our amazing supervisors and how they each bring music to the clients in their own unique way has been most inspiring. As intern I feel so fortunate to be able to learn and share this time with this team that has the most amazing energy and caring spirit, they encourage me and challenge me to keep learning and finding my voice and my journey.

What advice do you have for Kristen, intern to intern?
Don’t blink too fast! Enjoy everyday and every week. They definitely go by faster than you think! Because you get to work with all the amazing therapists, make sure you are open to their perspectives and ask lots of questions! But also this is a good opportunity for you to discover yourself within the music therapy world and how you make connections with others. I am so excited to see where this experience takes you and I am so happy we get to share this time together!

What’s next for you?
I cannot believe it is time for this question already! As I transition out of internship, I feel very excited about the future, grateful for my time here, and a little nervous I must admit! But for now, my plan is to take my board examinations so I can become a Board Certified Music Therapist soon! My hope is that I can find a job in the field, and hopefully around the Atlanta Area, but my map and my heart are open to any new opportunities!

If you could get lunch with one musician/band/artist, who would it be, and what would you ask?
I would ask Sara Bareilles. I have been listening to her music growing up and and now that I am older I can really see her lyrics and music with a deeper meaning. Her lyrics, beyond the common love themes, talk about life and courage and our fragile beautiful humanity. She tells stories about others, and maybe about herself, with so much empathy in a way that they are all so relatable and inclusive. I would ask her about her songwriting process, and what she considers to be in the heart of all her songs. I think I just see her as a musical social justice warrior and I love the world she paints with her songs!

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Kristen’s time with us is just beginning, and she’s already hit the ground running! After meeting all of her clients, Kristen’s already helped to host a holiday party and record a CD for one of our hospice patients. We are delighted to have her on our team, and we know she’s going to do wonderful things!

Kristen,

Where did you go to school?
I attended the University of Alabama (Roll Tide)

How did you decide to pursue Music Therapy?
As the daughter of a music educator, I have always grown up being surrounded by music. At 10 years old I absolutely fell in love with playing guitar, writing songs, performing, and attending concerts. I determined I wanted to eventually pursue a music-based career, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I first learned about music therapy at a high school songwriting seminar and the idea of music therapy immediately resonated with me. Majoring in music therapy has been incredibly fulfilling and I am extremely excited to continue gaining clinical experience at Metro Music Therapy for the next six months.

Do you have a favorite population to work with?
During my undergraduate experience, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a plethora of populations. I especially enjoyed working with adults in psychiatric settings and with clients in memory care. At Metro Music Therapy, I look forward to working with clients that are a part of the Wounded Warrior program.

What are you most excited for during your internship?
I’m most excited about collaborating and learning from each music therapist at Metro Music Therapy. I am extremely lucky to be interning with such an incredible team in a comfortable and supportive learning environment. I have already observed many meaningful sessions and believe I will really grow during my internship with the help and guidance of these amazing music therapists.

If you could get lunch with one musician/band/artist, who would it be, and what would you ask?
I would definitely have to say John Mayer. As a guitar player, I have always been inspired by John Mayer’s innovative styles and artistry. I would definitely like to ask him what his songwriting process consists of and how he creates his unique picking styles.

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Camila, thanks for being such a bright spot on our team! Kristen, welcome to the family!
Everyone else, keep your eyes on these two – they’re headed for great things!