3 minute read
Faculty Interviews
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Please join us in welcoming our new faculty members, Christopher Igidbashian & Morgan Hess!
INTRODUCING FACULTY: CHRISTOPHER IGIDBASHIAN
Written by Sam Loeser
Adjunct faculty member Christopher Igidbashian is a master's level board-certified Music Therapist (MT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He recently spoke at the MidAtlantic Region Music Therapy Conference in Harrisburg.
Q: How long have you been a music therapist?
A: Almost 7 years
Q: How long have you been working with clients with TBIs?
A: 6 years
Q: What was your presentation at the Mid Atlantic Music Therapy conference about??
A: My presentation is on a songwriting/recording intervention done with an adult female with a TBI. The song is a commemoration of the five-year anniversary since her injury occurred, and the lyrics describe her journey to arrive at this milestone.
Q: What is the most important thing you have learned from your clients with TBIs?
How resilient they are given the severity of their injuries and all they ’ ve overcome. And the crucial role that music plays in their lives.
Q: What is your favorite song?
A: Changes all the time. Personally, I have been listening to an album called Pedal Steel Guitar by Will Van Horn. In my clinical work, songs with characters seem to be most popular with my clients for singalongs, such as Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Desperado, Sweet Baby James, Pianoman, etc. Some of my favorite work to do with clients is to take a familiar song with random jibberish-like lyrics (such as “Come Together ”) by the Beatles and have the clients replace a word, phrase, or line of lyrics with their own original ideas. By far my favorite work with clients is original songwriting and recording. It’ s here many clients explore their greatest challenges and triumphs and work through and process their experiences through writing, composing, and recording “their story.
INTRODUCING: MORGAN HESS-MT GRAD ASSISTANT
Written by Julie Gilligan
Q: How did you find music therapy? Why music therapy?
A: I found music therapy after completing my undergraduate degree at Eastern University. After receiving a BA in Music from Eastern in 2016, I worked as a church music director and piano teacher. During that time, I did research into music therapy and learned about how music therapists use music to help people with goals. I have always loved music and connecting with people, so it felt like a perfect fit. I started the Master ' s/Equivalency program in Music Therapy and Counseling at Immaculata in 2019, and I plan to graduate this May!
Q: Are you completing any clinical work at the moment? If so, which population are you working with?
A: Alongside my graduate assistantship with the music therapy department, I am currently working as a music therapist at Hershey Medical Center, working with adult medical patients and their families.
Q: Why did you choose Immaculata for your graduate coursework?
A: I chose Immaculata because of the strong emphasis on personalized learning and the warm and caring faculty.
Q: What is your favorite part of Immaculata?
A: I have enjoyed getting to know music therapy students in the undergraduate and graduate programs through my graduate assistantship! It' s rewarding to connect with people as they learn and grow into more authentic versions of themselves.
Q: Do you have a favorite intervention to use with clients?
A: I love using active music engagement for promoting in-the-moment mindfulness and anxiety reduction. This takes on a variety of forms, but instrumental improvisation has always been a personal favorite.
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for music students at Immaculata?
A: I would say cherish the opportunities you have for feedback from others. It can be hard to receive constructive feedback and not take it personally, but being a student offers space for learning about your strengths and weaknesses, which will make you a more competent, well-rounded musician and clinician in the future.
