Diana Fox Sumer 2013

MUS 529 Week 1 Assignment

I come from your typical Italian household. I knew how to make spaghetti sauce before I could spell my own name and I was only six years old when I had my first sip of red wine. Everyday I find out about a new cousin I have and my loud family gets together every Sunday for big dinners. There is always plenty of bread and wine to go around, but something that has never been a big part of my family is music. For the past three years I have worked as a music educator in one of the poorest sections of not only the Bronx, but also New York City. As a public educator in an at-risk community I have been exposed to extremely harsh realities. Many of the students who attend school in my community have been the subject of abuse, violence, gangs, prostitution, and drugs before the age of five. They often come in hungry, dirty, or tired because they spent the night in a shelter. I have heard first graders that have the language of prisoner. All of these environmental factors make it almost impossible for them to learn. So many of the students who rightfully display these acts of emotional or behavioral disturbances are often labeled as special needs and assigned into selfcontained classrooms. As a music educator it is my job to develop my students musical skills. But, for many children who are emotionally and/or behaviorally disturbed, I feel that at times being a therapist must come before being an educator. As a therapist it is my job to first validate their feelings, and then explore them. I know that music helps me in many ways. If Im angry or upset music can help clam me down. There have been many life events that I have anchored with certain songs. The moment I hear a song that reminds me of a pastime its if Im

Diana Fox Sumer 2013

MUS 529 Week 1 Assignment

reliving that moment. I am a strong believer that music speaks to the soul and helps people communicate feelings and emotions that they cannot verbally communicate. I know that music is a very powerful tool when it comes to healing. As I pursue this field and become more qualified I am anxious to see how I will unite my experiences as an educator and as a therapist. I often question how the two disciplines will marry and how or if it will affect my theoretical approaches and ways thinking. I am excited to explore the variances and similitudes and how I can share my experiences with other educators and therapists as well. Right now I have more questions than answers, but I know I will gain more strength and insight into the demands of a music therapist as I begin my fieldwork this summer.