Significant Moments of Undergraduate Music Therapy Students

A Memory Work Project

Authors

  • Varvara Pasiali Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5621-7634
  • Corey Jenkins Piedmont Music Therapy, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • Gabrielle Kornmayer Piedmont Music Therapy, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • Matrisha Stafford Unaffiliated, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
  • Karlyn Moore Cardinal Hospice Care, Jacksonville, NC, USA
  • Menelik Cannady Unaffiliated, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • Nicole Crate Rhythmic Roots Lessons, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • Austin McGinnis Unaffiliated, Charlotte, NC, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v26i2.4563

Keywords:

memory work, CURE, clinical training, undergraduate music therapy students

Abstract

In this exploratory qualitative study using Memory Work methodology, we focused on the lived clinical training experiences of undergraduate music therapy students through collaborative reflection. Seven students and one instructor participated as  co-researchers within a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE). Initially, participants composed detailed “thick descriptions” of significant moments from their first clinical experiences. These narratives were then shared and coded in vivo during
class read-aloud, followed by a focus group discussion that probed similarities, differences, and unspoken expectations related to clinical practice. Data were captured through transcripts of video recordings and analyzed manually complemented by AIsupported coding. The process distilled into three themes that illuminated pathways during clinical experiences that buoyed progress: (a) resilience in clinical placement as a catalyst for professional growth; (b) building therapeutic relationships and support networks fosters trust and emotional safety; and (c) understanding the therapy process and its impact cultivates professional insight and fulfillment. Two additional themes which illuminated dimensions that deepen an understanding of students’ growth include: (d) coping with anxiety in clinical settings is part of the emotional journey and (e) sensory awareness and personal presence support preparedness. Findings highlight how Memory Work facilitates reflective inquiry into varied aspects of clinical practice, with insights  into flexibility, adaptation, resilience, vulnerability and psychological safety in supervision.

 

Disclaimer/Acknowledgement

An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the research poster session of the American Music Therapy Association regional conference, LaGrange (March, 2020). ChatGPT version 4.1 was used to generate ideas for qualitative data analysis. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Author Biographies

Varvara Pasiali, Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

Varvara Pasiali, PhD, MT-BC, Livingstone Professor of Music Therapy at Queens University of Charlotte, is a board-certified music therapist. She researches early intervention, resilience, prevention, socioemotional health, and family-based therapy. Main lecturing areas include applied clinical techniques, research methods, and psychology of music. Dr. Pasiali is a regular presenter at conferences and has published in various journals. She is an invited reviewer for music therapy journals including Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Music Therapy, and The Arts in Psychotherapy. Currently she serves on the editorial board for Music Therapy Perspectives and Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy. She also maintains a private practice called ‘Apollo Music Therapy’ in Charlotte, NC.

Corey Jenkins, Piedmont Music Therapy, Charlotte, NC, USA

Corey Jenkins, MT-BC, NMT received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Queens University of Charlotte and is currently pursuing her Master of Music Therapy at Duquesne University. She has been a board-certified music therapist serving the Charlotte, NC community since 2022. Her clinical experience spans all ages and diverse backgrounds across medical, educational, residential, and community-based settings. Corey is passionate about working with students and interns, having experience as a primary internship supervisor. She has previously served on several music therapy boards,including the Music Therapy Association of North Carolina and SER-AMTAS during her undergraduate studies

Gabrielle Kornmayer, Piedmont Music Therapy, Charlotte, NC, USA

Gabrielle Kornmayer, MT-BC, received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Queens University of Charlotte. Gabrielle works as a board-certified music therapist at Piedmont Music Therapy, a 501(c)3 that aims to connect and grow with individuals of all ages and abilities through music therapy treatment and community programming. She has experience working in a variety of communities, including substance use disorder recovery, mental health settings, veteran support, adults and children with physical and intellectual disabilities, and stroke and TBI recovery. Gabrielle is passionate about encouraging selfcare and mental well-being in the communities she serves, aiming to provide inclusive and transferable treatment outcomes through therapeutic musical experiences.

Matrisha Stafford, Unaffiliated, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

Matrisha Stafford, MT-BC is a board-certified Music Therapist in the state of North Carolina. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2015 from Queens University of Charlotte and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy with a minor in psychology in 2020 from Queens as well. It was during her completion of course work in 2019 where she conducted this research study with her classmates and Dr. Varvara Pasiali. She also had the honor of presenting the classes research findings at the SER-AMTA Regional Conference in 2020. Matrisha shares great passion for helping others, and for music, and she is thankful for the opportunity to use both her passions as she continues to pursue her music therapy career.

Karlyn Moore, Cardinal Hospice Care, Jacksonville, NC, USA

Karlyn A. Moore, MT-BC (she/her) is a United States Navy Veteran and Queens University of Charlotte alum working as a full-time hospice music therapist. Karlyn is currently pursuing her master’s degree in music therapy with an emphasis in Counseling from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with an expected graduation date in 2029.

Menelik Cannady, Unaffiliated, Charlotte, NC, USA

Menelik Cannady received his bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Queens University of Charlotte and is currently studying for the board certification exam.

Nicole Crate, Rhythmic Roots Lessons, Charlotte, NC, USA

Nicole Crate received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Queens University of Charlotte and completed her music therapy internship in 2022. She is currently MT-BC eligible. Nicole’s current professional work takes place outside the scope of clinical music therapy and consists of private music instruction. She is the owner and operator of Rhythmic Roots, a private music lessons business based in Charlotte, North Carolina, offering in-home and virtual instruction for children, adolescents, and adults. Her work emphasizes individualized, learner-centered instruction that supports musical skill development, creative exploration, and engagement, without the use of therapeutic assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Nicole remains committed to fostering accessible and meaningful musical experiences within her community through private instruction and non-therapeutic, community-based music programming.

Austin McGinnis, Unaffiliated, Charlotte, NC, USA

Austin McGinnis is a graduate of the Northwest School of the Arts and later studied music therapy, completing most of the degree requirements. Austins’ education helped shape a passion for communication, creativity, and connecting with others. Austin currently works for the United States Postal Service, using professionalism, dependability, and customer service skills in a fast-paced setting as a PTF carrier in Salisbury, NC. Austin believes the background in both the arts and public service has provided a balanced perspective and strengthened commitment to serving and building meaningful connections within the community and coworkers.

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Published

2026-07-01

How to Cite

Pasiali, V., Jenkins, C., Kornmayer, G., Stafford, M., Moore, K., Cannady, M., … McGinnis, A. (2026). Significant Moments of Undergraduate Music Therapy Students: A Memory Work Project . Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v26i2.4563

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2026 Varvara Pasiali, Corey Jenkins, Gabrielle Kornmayer, Matrisha Stafford, Karlyn Moore, Menelik Cannady, Nicole Crate, Austin McGinnis

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