[Trish Jonason]

There’s something very refreshing about “freshening up” my own repertoire!  It’s like breathing life into my work again.  There are quite a few songs that grabbed my attention, such as Sit Down With Me, Do You Want to Be My Friend, All Of This Is Me, In My Little Hand (I love this), and the “lap ride” songs, like WIggly Jiggly Car.  I’ve got a lot of learning to do, but as I integrate the songs a few at a time, I’ll feel really good about using new material.  I’ve also been thinking about the songs I already use, and how what I’ve learned about language and the use of modes can give them new life as well.

[Trish Jonason]

II appreciated the breakdown of developmental milestones- both from the perspective of a parent and music therapist.    It also reminds me that there is such a range in children’s strengths.   For example, a four year old who can ride a bike, but does not enjoy puzzles or coloring.

 

 

[Trish Jonason]

Hi there,

My name is Trish Jonason.  I live in the metro west area of Boston.  I’ve just relocated to Mass. with my husband and 4-year old son from coastal Maine.  I did

my undergrad at Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA in 2002, and interned with  at Lutheran General Hospital, outside of Chicago.

After 4 years in Chicago, working as and MT at the hospital and later at its therapeutic day school, my husband and I moved back to Maine to start a family

and be close to our parents.

In Maine, I worked at a community mental health agency before starting a private practice.  There are only 5 MT-BCs in Maine, and none of them were close by.

It took time for me to learn my community,  identify the need for music therapy, and how to successfully integrate it into people’s lives.   I started Coastal

Music Therapy in 2011 and consider that venture to have been a successful one.  However, coastal Maine is very rural and professionally isolating, both for

myself and my husband.  We relocated to Mass in May of this year to pursue new career opportunities.

Through Coastal Music Therapy, I created my own version of a early childhood music program called Songbirds.  I offered this class on-site at preschools and

childcare centers.  I also offered it at local libraries and community centers.     My site-based classes were divided developmentally, but my community-based

groups were not.  I just didn’t have the enrollment to support separate groups.

 

I’m taking this training to round out my early childhood experience with new repertoire and a more conscious effort towards the community wellness model.

I’m eager to enrich my knowledge about developmentally specific musical activities- I always feel like I’m making it up as I go.  I’d like to feel a little more

confident in that area.   I’m also interested in gaining more experience in talking to families about their child’s development.

[Author]

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