Preparing the Next Generation

In early February, we said goodbye to our Temple University intern, Brooke Wright, as she completed her 1,040-hour internship and prepares to take the board-certification exam for music therapy.  Residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors should all feel proud of the role we play in the lives of our interns and students. Their experiences here help to shape their professional and personal lives – and in return, the lives of all who live and work here.

According to recreation/music therapist Elizabeth Eargle, MT-BC, Brooke’s direct supervisor:  “The learning process is one that never ends. I have had the pleasure of not only supervising a wonderful intern for the past seven months, but also growing with her. Watching her build relationships with those around her, challenge herself, and develop into an independent, soon-to-be board-certified music therapist was such an honor. I am grateful to be part of an organization which encourages training a new generation of professionals!”

As we celebrate our collective role in educating another young person, here are Brooke’s parting thoughts for us:

For the past seven months, I have been the music therapy intern here at Masonic Villages. When starting my internship, I had goals, expectations, and dreams for my time here. I must admit, my internship experience surpassed everything that I could have ever imagined or hoped for. I’ve learned a great deal regarding this setting, the people who live here, music, and myself. I’ll carry that with me through my professional and personal life.  

What stands out to me the most is the quality of the relationships that were built. In this type of setting, it’s difficult to not build close relationships with the residents. Through the music, jokes, and conversation, I was able to reach residents and gradually gain their trust and get to know them. They have such incredible stories to tell, when you just take the time to listen.

One resident in particular would speak in such a poetic manner and was full of metaphors. I found it inspiring to listen to her. So, through 1:1 music therapy, she composed a song! As soon as I mentioned it, she was telling me lyric after lyric – I had trouble writing fast enough! Within two 30-minute sessions, we had her first song. Together we recorded it, and it’s now on a CD for her to listen to whenever she would like. Since then, she has written and recorded another song as well.

It has been an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Masonic Villages team. I am forever grateful for my experiences and the relationships built. As I move forward towards the next step in life, I will take these experiences with me and strive to carry everything I’ve learned and apply it in various aspects of my life. These words truly do not do justice to how I’m feeling as I say good-bye. One of my favorite quotes is, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard,” by A.A. Milne. Seriously, how lucky am I? 

About the Author: Ann Dinsmore is the director of music therapy at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.