The Experience of Authenticity Across Three Music Disciplines; Music Therapy, Music Teaching and Music Performance

Preliminary Findings of a Phenomenological Interview Study

Authors

  • Julie Ørnholt Bøtker Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3336-484X
  • Stine Lindahl Jacobsen Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v23i1.3464

Keywords:

authenticity; inauthenticity; music therapy; music teaching; music education; music performance

Abstract

Across music disciplines, authenticity has been referred to in various ways. Within music therapy and music teaching, only sparsely has it been discussed focusing on the intrapersonal aspects of authenticity. This study seeks to explore and understand authenticity as experienced and expressed by three music professionals practicing within the areas of music therapy, music teaching, and music performance, the goal being primarily to deepen, enrich, and understand the authenticity experience to possibly benefit professionals and their clients, students, and audiences. Three music professionals holding various professional backgrounds were selected based on their assumed ability to reflect on this rather philosophical topic. Preparatory materials were sent out to participants prior to conducting two semi-structured interviews – 1 solo interview and 1 group interview. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through a thematic coding analysis revealing four meta themes: 1) paradoxes in language and action, 2) imbalance and inauthenticity, 3) roles, relationships, masks, and 4) the field of authenticity. Findings were discussed with chosen theory synthesizing the experience of authenticity as being associated with several interconnected elements: relationship (with self and others), role (self-chosen and assigned), context (role fits the context), professionalism (having skills needed, letting go of control), and personality (transparent persona).

Author Biographies

Julie Ørnholt Bøtker, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark

Julie Ørnholt Bøtker is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Music Therapy at Aalborg University. She has been affiliated with the Music Therapy Programme at Aalborg University since 2013 teaching primarily musical courses such as Applied Musical Performance, Voice Work, Improvisation and Songwriting. She has been working as a music therapist for 15 years within social psychiatry, elderly care, and within the field of developmental disabilities/disorders. She is an active musician, participating in various bands and improvisational groups

Stine Lindahl Jacobsen, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark

Stine Lindahl Jacobsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor. Head of Art, Aesthetics and Health, Department of Communication & Psychology, Aalborg University. Clinical and research areas mainly include arts and health, families at risk, effect studies and music therapy assessment.

Photo of the authors Julie Ørnholt Bøtker and Stine L. Jacobsen

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Published

2023-03-01

How to Cite

Bøtker, J. Ørnholt, & Jacobsen, S. L. (2023). The Experience of Authenticity Across Three Music Disciplines; Music Therapy, Music Teaching and Music Performance: Preliminary Findings of a Phenomenological Interview Study. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v23i1.3464

Issue

Section

Research