Intro to Me
As I sit down to write this introduction, I'm realizing that it really is difficult to write an introduction to oneself without writing one's entire memoirs. This is part vanity, I'm sure, but also part desire to give an accurate picture of who I am. I imagine that most folks with a true interest in psychology are constantly grappling with that most intimidating of questions: "who am I?", which in my experience doesn't lend itself well to short answers. Of course, we'll all be painting more of that picture through future entries, and in the meantime, I've imported my list of interests from my "real" blog (see my intro page) and provided some links for the terminally curious.
Before tackling the main issue, I'll explain why I'm here in the first place. I'm taking this class to help me determine whether I want to seriously follow a leading (as we Quakers say, and no, that's not like Amish) to pursue a career change from music to psychology. I've always been fascinated with all things related to the brain and what makes people tick. From early childhood until college, I spent most dinnertimes grilling my pediatric neurologist father about his day. I learned about everything from seizures to obsessive compulsive disorder to Down's syndrome. I've always thought that if I hadn't become so involved in music, I would have likely gone into a first career in medicine or psychology.
I've most often defined myself through my chosen educational background and career, that of a professional "jack of all trades" musician. In addition to performing flute around L.A. and teaching many private flute and piano students, my most recent career endeavors include directing and performing in my own new music ensemble, L.A. Sound Circle, musically directing for several local theater companies, and founding Music to You, a company offering private lessons in students' homes. If you're really curious about my professional background, check out my bio at my company website. With an undergraduate degree and two graduate degrees, some might consider me a prime example of overeducation in my field, but I truly love to learn and don't regret a minute of my education even as I contemplate a career change. Personally, I don't believe in overeducation, though in my academic career I met my share of "professional students," who in many cases were in school for all the wrong reasons (living off financial aid, personal insecurity, etc.). This to me is an entirely different thing from the student/seeker who loves learning. I feel that my education was more of a "life education" than most institutional experiences. The schools and programs I chose allowed me to explore a huge variety of subject areas, while gaining professional performing and teaching experience.
During the last few months, my personal life has been at the forefront as my wonderful husband and I are expecting our first child (due Aug. 5!). More than anything else, the prospect of becoming a mother has inspired me to rethink what's really important to me in life. The best parents I know are those who are strong, positive role models for their children--parents whose everyday lives reflect their life goals and values--and I want to strive to be that kind of parent. Reflecting upon my current career in music, I find that the work I consider most valuable, and that brings me and others the most joy and fulfillment, is my work with amateur musicians and musical theater. There's something much more rewarding about working with musicians and actors who practice their art purely because they love it, not because they have to make their living at it. I just know too many bitter, unhappy professional musicians, and I fear becoming one myself. I do very much enjoy teaching music, and I find that one of my favorite aspects of teaching is examining how different students learn. It fascinates me to find where their real interests and talents lie, and to discover for each student how to tap into that area to make music an interesting and enlightening experience for them. It is that strong interest in the inner workings of people, from the internal workings of the mind to the complex web of relationships we form just by being alive, that makes me think my own talents might be put to better use with a professional career in psychology, and an amateur career in music.
I'm excited to find such an innovative class and I'm looking forward to reading my classmates' introductions as we begin to work together. See you Friday!
Before tackling the main issue, I'll explain why I'm here in the first place. I'm taking this class to help me determine whether I want to seriously follow a leading (as we Quakers say, and no, that's not like Amish) to pursue a career change from music to psychology. I've always been fascinated with all things related to the brain and what makes people tick. From early childhood until college, I spent most dinnertimes grilling my pediatric neurologist father about his day. I learned about everything from seizures to obsessive compulsive disorder to Down's syndrome. I've always thought that if I hadn't become so involved in music, I would have likely gone into a first career in medicine or psychology.
I've most often defined myself through my chosen educational background and career, that of a professional "jack of all trades" musician. In addition to performing flute around L.A. and teaching many private flute and piano students, my most recent career endeavors include directing and performing in my own new music ensemble, L.A. Sound Circle, musically directing for several local theater companies, and founding Music to You, a company offering private lessons in students' homes. If you're really curious about my professional background, check out my bio at my company website. With an undergraduate degree and two graduate degrees, some might consider me a prime example of overeducation in my field, but I truly love to learn and don't regret a minute of my education even as I contemplate a career change. Personally, I don't believe in overeducation, though in my academic career I met my share of "professional students," who in many cases were in school for all the wrong reasons (living off financial aid, personal insecurity, etc.). This to me is an entirely different thing from the student/seeker who loves learning. I feel that my education was more of a "life education" than most institutional experiences. The schools and programs I chose allowed me to explore a huge variety of subject areas, while gaining professional performing and teaching experience.
During the last few months, my personal life has been at the forefront as my wonderful husband and I are expecting our first child (due Aug. 5!). More than anything else, the prospect of becoming a mother has inspired me to rethink what's really important to me in life. The best parents I know are those who are strong, positive role models for their children--parents whose everyday lives reflect their life goals and values--and I want to strive to be that kind of parent. Reflecting upon my current career in music, I find that the work I consider most valuable, and that brings me and others the most joy and fulfillment, is my work with amateur musicians and musical theater. There's something much more rewarding about working with musicians and actors who practice their art purely because they love it, not because they have to make their living at it. I just know too many bitter, unhappy professional musicians, and I fear becoming one myself. I do very much enjoy teaching music, and I find that one of my favorite aspects of teaching is examining how different students learn. It fascinates me to find where their real interests and talents lie, and to discover for each student how to tap into that area to make music an interesting and enlightening experience for them. It is that strong interest in the inner workings of people, from the internal workings of the mind to the complex web of relationships we form just by being alive, that makes me think my own talents might be put to better use with a professional career in psychology, and an amateur career in music.
I'm excited to find such an innovative class and I'm looking forward to reading my classmates' introductions as we begin to work together. See you Friday!