Per the music department curriculum, all music majors complete a research paper or project for their upper divisional evaluation, but junior music therapy major Anna Miles decided to take a more creative approach.
Miles premiered her documentary “What Is Music Therapy? An Exploration of Various Perspectives” at the music departmental showcase on Sept. 11. The documentary focuses on the purpose of music therapy and what it looks like for different populations of people.
Assistant Professor and Director of Music Therapy Amy Foley said music therapy is a tool to work on someone’s non-music goals, such as overcoming an obstacle or diagnosis in their life. Music therapists work on creating connections with people to increase their ability to express themselves or better manage emotional stressors in their lives, according to Foley.
“I think it’s neat because the power of music is that it has the capacity to rewire and help build stronger brain connections,” Foley said.
Miles was inspired to create this documentary rather than complete a research paper for her final in May 2024. Hearing about the experiences of professionals and other music therapy majors, Miles said she felt like it would be more beneficial in the long run and still fit within the project’s criteria.
“Other music therapy majors before me are like, ‘There’s really nothing fun you can do’ like ‘You have to write a paper,’” Miles said. “Well, I don’t really want to do that. I want to do something creative.”
To present as many perspectives as possible, Miles asked participants in the documentary why they decided to pursue a career in music therapy. Miles said they shared their personal experiences of being introduced to music therapy and their reasoning for pursuing it as a career.
A common theme throughout the documentary, Miles said, is the frustration that comes with working in a profession that is misunderstood and under-appreciated. Miles said people tend to mistake music therapy as music education or the psychology of music, but it is its own entity, and it is frustrating to hear people say music therapy is “putting headphones on and listening to music.”
“These stereotypes and generalizations… it’s not what music therapy is like,” Miles said. “I think that was neat to know other people share those frustrations. Even professionals share those frustrations as well.”
Foley said there are misconceptions in the field of music therapy because they may work alongside other therapy professionals in various settings. Music therapy sessions are a little bit of an anomaly, but they utilize their clients’ passion for music in a fun and motivating way to work on skills, Foley explained.
Interviewing music therapists has helped increase Miles understanding of the profession. She said nothing truly prepares students for the clinical space, but hearing professionals’ experiences validated her feelings about music therapy.
“I think also just to see like when people talk about their clients, and just what their clients have taught them and everything,” Miles said. “It’s so beautiful to think how music connects us … that became very evident for me doing this project.”
As a result of this documentary, Miles hopes viewers will gain a basic understanding of music therapy and have an appreciation of it. She said she wants people to understand the value of music therapy for their clients.
“I just want people to see… how powerful music is,” Miles said. “It’s not something that you really internalize until you actually sit down and listen to other people and their experiences.”
Aside from the premiere at UIndy on Sept. 11, Miles hopes to share this documentary with high schools. She said she would have committed to music therapy sooner if she had known it was a career option earlier in high school and coming into college and wants to give others that opportunity.
“I love music, but it’s not practical,” Miles said. “If I had known, I mean, bam, it would have been my first decision.” For students interested in learning more about music therapy, there is a registered student organization, the Music Therapy Association for Students, or contact Professor Foley at foleyan@uindy.edu.
