2016: Simplify, Streamline, Selfcare

After a very long and productive meeting on Tuesday, Rachel and I established  three key words for the new year. Simplify, Streamline, Self-care I have been in an constant state to growth, movement, and just trying to keep up over the past several months and needed to take a moment to assess where I’m at and what the next steps are.  Personally, I think the business will continue to grow and develop without much extra work, which is good because I’ve run out of hours in the day to add new tasks.  That’s not to say that I won’t be working, but that I’m  attempting to not take on anything EXTRA that will distract from the awesome growth that is happening and instead use any additional time I have (outside my normal work load) to focus on enhancing what is working and eliminating or adjusting what is not.   In 2016, I believe we can ALL benefit from is implementing the words above.  I have decided to adopt these words as not only a work motto but as a personal theme Read More

Happy New Year – Looking back at 2015

After our wedding in September 2014, life for Chad and I was supposed to slow down.  I remember telling myself every day leading up to our nuptials that it would “be ok, you’ll have plenty of down time when you get back from your honeymoon”.  Never have I been so wrong.  As soon as we got home from our honeymoon, life resumed it’s hectic pace but at an even faster speed. Even though it’s been busy, it has been the most crazy, fantastic ride! Two years ago this week, Rachel Rambach and I sat down to talk about the holidays, our favorite books and plans for the new year over a casual cup of coffee at Target (both of which are still big parts of our routine).  We talked about life and how great it would be to open a music therapy clinic space.   And that was just the start… Within months, Rachel and I had formed an LLC and started renting space from Capitol City Music in Springfield, IL. We created early childhood classes that have take off Read More

Practice What You Preach

We just completed week 3 with our outstanding intern, Alisabeth!  I am so excited to begin this new endeavor as an internship supervisor! It’s thrilling to be in this influential role, though it has been a little daunting and challenging at points. I’m in a role where I’m teaching someone what I know about my profession and helping to shape them into the professional they want to be.  My internship was one of the most formative experiences of my professional life. So, maybe it’s just me, but I see this a very important role that I take seriously.  My style may be a little different in that I try to be 100% open and honest with my intern, but I like to maintain that they are a real person and adult that can be treated as such. With that in mind, I try to be a “real” person around her: I try to be honest when I’m not feeling great, or when a session is a struggle, or when I’m really excited about a client’s progress, etc. I think it’s good Read More

I Can’t Believe We Finally Moved!

When I graduated with a degree in Music Therapy, I had no idea what my job prospects would be.  I moved to Central Illinois to be with my now husband, Chad, and we settled down in an apartment in Lincoln, Il.  Within my first week as a grad, I started a 4-hour a week position with St. John’s Children’s hospital in Springfield, Il.  I didn’t mind the 40-minute drive because it was only once a week. After two months of only working one day a week, it was time to search for more work. I reached out to Rachel Rambach to let her know I was a new MT in the area.  She excitedly responded and offered me a contract position with Music Therapy Connections and, overnight, my company, On A Good Note, was born.  As I continued to look for other opportunities in Lincoln and moved into a house. I quickly grew the both positions with St. John’s and Music Therapy Connections, and was driving to clients homes all around the Springfield area 4 days a week, plus taking weekend trips Read More

Shout Out: Thank You Moms!

Every week, I have the honor of working with almost 40 individual children.  Each of those children comes from a unique family, each with their own set of rules and dynamics.  In working with those children, I get to meet some incredible moms! On this Mother’s Day, I wanted to take a second to thank those moms and share some of my favorite little “mom moments” I get to witness every week.  These are the special little moments that often go unnoticed or are taken for granted but mean so much. Mom’s: asking their children about their day listening intently to what their child has to say giving a big hug and smile encouraging them to do their best engaging with their child in a shared activity stroking their hair when they feel sick allowing a stranger in to help comfort or care for their baby supporting their son or daughter no matter what singing a favorite song slowly reading a favorite book rocking their child to sleep looking adoringly at their child sharing concerns and asking questions embracing their child Read More