Karen Wacks

Any musician at Berklee—whether you're a therapist, performer, educator, engineer, or producer, etc.—can learn to use their music for compassion. It can be customized for a child in a hospital, or it can be broader, where you're working with thousands of people at a concert. But how can you begin to really use your music to think of another person, to step outside of your own personal needs and issues, to be there? It just takes a little bit of awareness. What's different about what we do in music therapy is that we learn to customize our music to meet the needs of an individual or a group, and it is clinical: we are using music to integrate treatment plans, medical and emotional needs, and community integration. Community musicians can use their music in service to others with just a bit of awareness and understanding to focus on the needs of another in an effort to be most effective. It is important to recognize that music can also do harm to individuals if it is used in a way that triggers trauma or painful memories. It's about consciously thinking about another person and how you can help.

My work as the Clinical Training Coordinator helped place Berklee students in practicum and internship placements. Matching students' abilities and skills to sites and supervisors helped me understand how best to develop students' potential. As a licensed mental health counselor, I was also able to understand and support students with their strengths and areas of growth. As a French horn player with the Faculty Brass Band, I also appreciated the importance of collaboration and support in a music setting.