However, this was when the musical elements that were so deeply rooted into my belief system, into my very soul started to appear and I began to clearly recognize that it was possible to pursue the existence of something even stronger and deeper in the world of art, more specifically in the world created by sounds. Possessing both a keen ability to observe and a very strong aptitude to recall images from memory, I identified the two forces to support my belief that there was something more that would drive me toward the pursuit of self-satisfaction and career enhancement. As the ability of my piano students grew, I noticed that what was happening was much more than simply learning how to interpret a musical piece by Bach or a sonata by Handel. It was the expansion of their emotional and psychological expression as a whole. Something was blossoming; it was extremely expansive, sensitive and creative. I started to carefully watch what I said and how I said it, out of fear that perhaps my remarks would wound the musicians' sensitivity, personal privacy and individualism.

I was like a turtle with its hard and protective shell, which only dares to show its head when it feels secure enough to see ahead and move along in the right direction. In our every day life, with its major stresses and pressures and being forced to consider factors like time and money that can be very overpowering, it is so difficult to hold on to a beautiful thought.

Time after time, I have seen a child change after listening to music. The youth becomes more daring as the music touches his or her imagination thru the creative self. The child has a new sense of freedom of expression, letting the mind travel where and how it wishes, and to listen, to feel, and continually build excitement through this bold journey. Here, in this new imaginary world, the youngster is able to observe and describe a host of rainbow colors, to form and make up new words, to develop and share an opinion, to explain a personal experience, to demonstrate the differences between his or her own imaginary journey and scenes and perceptions and realize how this trip and those of another classmate may differ in some ways, be alike in others

The child recognizes that it is both these similarities, and differences -- this non-homogeneity, so to speak, -- that makes people so different and unique, and in their own way very special. I have the special ability to let them see through the real live proof of their words, their expressions, their moments of epiphany how wonderful they really are.

It is every day that I would notice in a variety of ways the strength that the art of sounds would have.

It is this perception, this knowledge of what music can, and often does do, drives me to stay on the course that I have chosen and knowing that I have chosen correctly. I have been searching to find out what it is in the art of sounds that moves so freely...

Every year I asked my students to try answering the question "What is music?" They answer by describing music as a "friend," "a breath" "it is something," "our homea-CAN'T READ). Like the little snail carrying its home with it since birth, so does everyone carry with them the protection of music. It is within everybody, as well as outside and around them as well. Everywhere people look, everywhere they go, is this glorious music.
Earlier, a number of years ago, I also worked on exploring the meaning word "music." When I found that it had such wonderful therapeutic properties, I continued to and continue exploring to this day. Now, however, I am actually in this area of music therapy. My journey has led me from a lover of music, to music teacher, to the beginning of a music therapist. That which at some point started out as just a thought and then a belief, grew to become a pursuit and finally has led me to concentrate on the affirmation of my desires.

Now I know that my goal "it is not some where out there" waiting to be achieved. I am there now in my life. This gives me great personal satisfaction. Not only because I am achieving my life's goal, but also because it is an affirmation -- I am confirming that I took the right road and as the Robert Frost poem says, "It made all the difference." Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to say such a thing. How joyful I feel knowing that I have the great fortune to live in a time that I did not choose, in a body that I did not know, in situations that I did not select, and yet able to enjoy my life's hope through the means of the current circumstances, with the abilities I carry and with the events that I face and will continue to face as I move ahead.

Music therapy is as old as the beginning of humankind, itself. It is only recently that it is finally being recognized for the power and importance it plays in helping individuals of all ages, backgrounds and mental, physical and spiritual needs. I am pleased to join the others in this field and look forward to working with them to let others know how important music is to the life of all people.

References

American Music Therapy Association. Website retrieved 3 March, 2007. http://www.musictherapy.org/

Davis, W.B. (1988). Music therapy in Victorian England. Journal of British Music Therapy 2(1): 10-17.

Fleshman, B., and Fryrear, J.L. (1971). The Arts in Therapy. Chicago: Nelson-Hall.

Hesser, B. Interview. "Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved from website 3, March, 2007. http://www.furious.com/perfect/barbarahesser.html" Perfect Sound Forever"

Wigram, T. (2002). Indications in music therapy. Evidence from assessment that can identify the expectations of music therapy as a treatment for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. British Journal of Music Therapy 16(1).