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TY: Technology has improved quickly over the years; today’s society as music is seen everywhere: shows,
as a child, I grew up listening to music on the radio commercials, movies, music videos, advertisements,
Music’s Message and worked my way through portable CD players and and social media. Often, music and songs are kept in

MP3 players. With the technology we have today, we
our minds without us realizing until years later, and
can access and listen to music wherever and whenever we remember the song of a commercial from our
without very little difficulty. In a matter of minutes childhood.
or seconds, someone can listen to a newly released
Tamia Yates album on Youtube or other platforms; technology ZGP: What would the world look like if there
has definitely made it easier to gain access to music.
was not music at all? Is music more than
A Music Therapist Intern When creating music, apps, such as Garageband, have voice and instruments? Can we find music in
other places?
made it easier to create music without having to be a
with The Star Center musician or needing a studio to create music. More TY: I think that without music, there is one less cre-
resources have been created to give everyone a chance ative outlet for people to explore and express them-
to explore and experiment with sound. selves to the world. Without music, T.V. shows and
ZGP: What made you want to become a mu- when reaching their goals. With lyrics, we can look at movies will lose an element of their story as back-
sician? Early influences? their meaning and relate the lyrics to our lives; with ZGP: Can the world learn something from ground music can enhance the feelings that a scene
TY: I grew up in a musical family. My dad is a pianist melody, we use simple melodies like “Twinkle Twin- the harmonious relationship between di- is trying to evoke such as suspense, joy, grief, etc. In
and my mom is a church choir director, so I’ve been kle Little Star” with younger children, but the melody verse notes played together, rather than a world without music, other art forms, like dance,
surrounded by music since a young age. I always had can be more complex when working with teens or alone? can be affected as well; if there isn’t even a rhythm to
a love for music, and it was actually my own decision adults. Each person is different and music affects us in TY: Yes! When we think about how music is created, follow, how will dancers adapt to this change? Music
to start taking piano lessons at the age of 5; I’ve been different ways, we just need to know and understand we could think about how the notes work together in is more than a voice and instruments as it can affect
playing the piano ever since! how music affects us. various contexts. Each note can play a different role us on a deeper level, whether it is a positive or nega-
in the grand scheme of music, and those roles can tive effect; we use music for motivation, inspiration,
ZGP: Any hobbies outside of music? ZGP: Is there a genuine connection between change depending on the other notes that it’s being self-expression, upliftment, relaxation, and other
TY: I’ve gotten back into doing crochet ever since music and the soul or the mind? Is it trans- placed with. When alone, a note still holds its unique- aspects in our everyday lives.
the pandemic started; at one point, I was just making formative? In what way? ness and qualities; however, when placed in a chord,
socks out of different yarns! I also like to draw every TY: There is definitely a connection with both the those qualities can be enhanced and all of the notes ZGP: Can music unify people from diverse
now and again, but it depends on how inspired I’m soul and mind. We have research that is based on how come together to create something grand. Although backgrounds?
feeling at the moment. music is processed in the brain and how it can affect a person still has their own abilities, background, and TY: I absolutely believe it can! When working with
different parts of the brain as well. When I worked qualities, those qualities don’t just disappear when different groups on a day-to-day basis, I notice how
ZGP: Can you define music therapy for those with clients who had dementia, it was amazing to see working with others; they become enhanced in their each group is composed of different backgrounds and
who may not know? the moment of recognition when a song was played, own way. When working with other notes, sometimes personalities; but when you play a familiar song, write
TY: Music therapy is an evidence-based practice and they would talk about a memory that they re- you might experience an unpleasant sound; even if lyrics together, or work towards one goal, the group
that uses music to reach non-musical goals. We work membered from their childhood. As there are various there is a disagreement with the group, the notes still comes together no matter what type of background
with many populations including newborns to older aspects of music, such as melody, rhythm, lyrics, etc., manage to work together to create something, and the each person has. Music is also a universal phenome-
adults, physical and mental disabilities, and all kinds I feel that at least one of those aspects connects with music can resolve in a positive note. non; no matter where you go, music plays some type
of various diagnoses. You can see music therapists a person more than anything else. I’ve seen and heard of role in different cultures or backgrounds.
working at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. people and clients say that lyrics are what they con- ZGP: If there wasn’t any music to go by and
nect with in a song, and we can also focus on lyrics of you had to create it – how would you start? ZGP: In your opinion, in what ways can mu-
ZGP: What are some of the therapeutic qual- a song when working with clients. When discussing How important is musical influence? Today sic spread kindness?
ities for the performer and the listener? lyrics, we sometimes focus on making a connection and going forward? TY: The lyrics in music can help to spread kindness.
TY: For the listener, music can be a motivator, inspi- between the lyrics and our everyday lives, and those TY: I would start by thinking about the purpose of Each song has a message to give, and to some people,
ration, creative outlet, relaxer, and other things. When lyrics can truly help someone to overcome an obstacle the music: is the purpose to make something that the lyrics are what catch their attention when listening
we use music in music therapy, we use those effects or to reach a goal. Music can be transformative in this sounds and makes me feel good? Is there a message I to a song. If there are more positive messages being
of music to help the client reach their non-musical manner. want to give to others? Is it for me or others? After I’ve spread to everyone, then, kindness can become more
goal. As music also consists of rhythm, lyrics, melody, established the purpose, I would work on what I want widespread in society. Another way is that music can
harmony, form, and the timbre of instruments, we ZGP: How has technology increased access it to sound like and figure out which instruments, bring people from different cultures and viewpoints
utilize and manipulate these aspects when working to music? Has it increased an ability for any- lyrics, rhythms, melody, harmony, and other aspects together and create a safe space for everyone to just be
with clients in order to help them be more successful one to create music? I would like to use. Musical influence is important in creative.

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