Laura Anderson, Intern #100

Interviewed by Amy Dunlap, Intern #121.
What a privilege it was to have Laura as a site supervisor during my internship at MusicWorx. She is an inspiring music therapist and yoga instructor who currently contracts throughout the San Diego area. I think you will thoroughly enjoy hearing about Laura’s MusicWorx internship through her eyes. Thank you for the interview, Laura!

1. What is your current job? Would you say MusicWorx helped you get to where you are today?
Currently, I work as a contractor with Coast Music Therapy, Resounding Joy Inc, Inspiration Physical Therapy and Private Practice. MusicWorx largely impacted where and how I got to where I am today!

2. What drew you to the MusicWorx internship?
I was first introduced to the MusicWorx internship when a colleague was accepted and she informed me what she would be doing. At national conference the stars aligned as I witnessed Dr. Reuer accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. I knew then that this was my “top choice” internship.

3. What was your favorite MusicWorx moment?
There were many MusicWorx “Aha” moments that all seem like a blur now, but I always loved Monday mornings. Amidst the “Manic Monday” schedule it was a time when we were all together and functioned as a team best.

4. Are there any aspects of what you learned at MusicWorx internship that best prepared you for your career today?
Absolutely! I think juggling hats is the biggest lesson I learned. As a contracting music therapist it’s important to work within each institution you are servicing. Each site, each contract has a different policy and likewise different populations. Wearing different hats even musically … learning different repertoire is something I learned working for Music Worx.

5. What was one of your biggest challenges during your internship? (And you can’t say lack of gas money or lack of time, unfortunately!)
One of my biggest challenges, in retrospect, was learning to communicate effectively with a team. All throughout college I was accustomed to being a one woman show. I had not experienced working closely with three other people. It is a lesson I carry with me since a large part of my job now is working within a collaborative model, and I believe this is where magic happens!

6. What was your biggest “aha!” moment for your professional and/or personal growth?
The energy you put into something should and will come back to you. This cyclical movement of energy is what will sustain it. In other words, you and what you have to offer is valuable and should be reciprocated in order for you the therapist to sustain this energy exchange and also promote healing for the receiver.

7. What would be your one piece of advice to future MusicWorx interns?
Be open to receive. It is from this place of vulnerability that you are able to define yourself, thoughts, and actions as a professional.