I love singing. As a music-therapist, singing for and with my clients is one of the favorite components of my work. Losing my voice is one of my biggest fears. It happened before, temporarily, and I felt helpless, empty, deprived of my favorite way of communicating and expressing. How could I express myself without it?
When I was in France, studying for my master’s degree in music therapy, I was hired as a trainee in a medical and educational institute hosting teenagers between 12 and 20 years old. I learnt from them that without a voice or language, communication was still possible- if one was open and receptive to it. Music is, of course, one of these possible outlets, and I have seen fantastic things happening there.
Since working with ET Music Therapy, I have had special connections with my clients. One of my current clients, (we'll name him John) reminds me of one of the teens I worked with at the very beginning of my career: a teen from which I learned many useful strategies for my profession. John didn’t have access to language, and for the first few sessions, I didn’t hear any sound coming from him. John showed me his enjoyment with music therapy when coming into the studio and when playing music with me during his weekly sessions. Although he smiled a lot, not a sound came out.
After a month or so, I started to hear laughs and internalized sounds when he was happy or excited. Then one day, it happened. I heard Jonh's voice for the first time. He imitated me on a couple of sounds into the microphone. The caregiver who was there with us was astonished, saying: “I didn’t even know he could do that or make any sound”. For me, that was one of the most satisfying moments I experienced since working here. I wasn’t surprised however, although very proud and happy for John.
It is never too late to find our way to our own voice. Sometimes we only need to have someone to believe it’s in there... somewhere... deeply hidden. And when it comes out, it opens a completely new world of exploration. A couple of weeks later, John sang in the microphone spontaneously: a couple of long and low vocalizations.
This is just the beginning.