I want to begin by saying that as a music therapy student I find the global expansion of music therapy to be exciting. As a student I often read about the studies and expansions of music therapy within the United States; however, it is also rewarding to see how music therapy is spreading around the world and how techniques are being used to reach the needs of the different clients.
In this article, it took a lot of hard work and dedication from Mariya Ivannikova to create a music therapy session in Ukraine. The challenge to create music therapy instruments from common household kitchen utensils is just one example. In addition, the lack of things that many music therapists take for granted such as a CD player show how determined she really was to prove the worth of music therapy and that it could exist within Ukraine.
This same type of dedication can also be found with in the United States. Having grown up in rural Kentucky I can honestly say that there is a lot of creativity when it comes to musical instruments. The mountainous terrain caused geographic isolation for those in Eastern Kentucky leaving many areas in poverty; therefore, families had to find ways to make instruments from everyday household utensils. A few of these instruments include spoons, jugs, and washboards. Music therapy is also gaining more expansion in the state of Kentucky. It was not until 2000 that there was a university in Kentucky that offered a degree in music therapy. With the development of the program at the University of Louisville, there has also been a growth for music therapy work in the state. I am very excited to see this expansion of music therapy; however, I believe when music therapy encompasses the rural areas in Kentucky it is crucial to incorporate the self-made instruments that so many people associate with. In the future, I would personally like to help music therapy expand to all regions of Kentucky not just the large cities like Lexington and Louisville but also the rural areas of Eastern Kentucky like Inez and the small Kentucky area that I call home.
If all music therapist could and would take the same level of dedication that has been displayed in this article music therapy could soar to new levels. One person has began making the difference in Ukraine to help expand music therapy. With the help of the four cities mentioned in the article that are beginning to teach more about music therapy at the Universities, music therapy can grow and have a wonderful chance to exist with in Ukraine.
I close by saying that I do indeed agree with Ivannikova by saying that with support music therapy has a great opportunity for existence in Ukraine as well as small rural areas in the United States particularly Kentucky.
About Paula Dowdy
Biography
Music Therapy Student, United States, University of Louisville, Kentucky.
I want to begin by saying that as a music therapy student I find the global expansion of music therapy to be exciting. As a student I often read about the studies and expansions of music therapy within the United States; however, it is also rewarding to see how music therapy is spreading around the world and how techniques are being used to reach the needs of the different clients.
In this article, it took a lot of hard work and dedication from Mariya Ivannikova to create a music therapy session in Ukraine. The challenge to create music therapy instruments from common household kitchen utensils is just one example. In addition, the lack of things that many music therapists take for granted such as a CD player show how determined she really was to prove the worth of music therapy and that it could exist within Ukraine.
This same type of dedication can also be found with in the United States. Having grown up in rural Kentucky I can honestly say that there is a lot of creativity when it comes to musical instruments. The mountainous terrain caused geographic isolation for those in Eastern Kentucky leaving many areas in poverty; therefore, families had to find ways to make instruments from everyday household utensils. A few of these instruments include spoons, jugs, and washboards. Music therapy is also gaining more expansion in the state of Kentucky. It was not until 2000 that there was a university in Kentucky that offered a degree in music therapy. With the development of the program at the University of Louisville, there has also been a growth for music therapy work in the state. I am very excited to see this expansion of music therapy; however, I believe when music therapy encompasses the rural areas in Kentucky it is crucial to incorporate the self-made instruments that so many people associate with. In the future, I would personally like to help music therapy expand to all regions of Kentucky not just the large cities like Lexington and Louisville but also the rural areas of Eastern Kentucky like Inez and the small Kentucky area that I call home.
If all music therapist could and would take the same level of dedication that has been displayed in this article music therapy could soar to new levels. One person has began making the difference in Ukraine to help expand music therapy. With the help of the four cities mentioned in the article that are beginning to teach more about music therapy at the Universities, music therapy can grow and have a wonderful chance to exist with in Ukraine.
I close by saying that I do indeed agree with Ivannikova by saying that with support music therapy has a great opportunity for existence in Ukraine as well as small rural areas in the United States particularly Kentucky.