Episode 24: Seeing Music Through A Healing Lens (Kathleen's Story)

Episode 24: Seeing Music Through A Healing Lens (Kathleen's Story)

Kathleen is a music educator turned music therapist. Her career change has brought along a whole new perspective on how we can use music in the world. Listen to her story as well as what her day to day is like as a music therapist! Google Form: https://forms.gle/8TSNU8wPbcnME8V8A [https://forms.gle/8TSNU8wPbcnME8V8A] Kathleen's BioKathleen is a hospice music therapist serving patients in Northern Colorado. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas, Orff Schulwerk certification from Southern Methodist University, and a master’s degree in music therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She taught for three years as an elementary music teacher (K-5) in Fort Worth ISD and taught private bassoon lessons for ten years. After a few difficult years, Kathleen decided to go back to school with the specific goal of being a hospice music therapist. She gained her music therapy board certification (MT-BC) in 2020, and has since served hundreds of hospice patients and families in the DFW metroplex and in Northern Colorado. In addition to her clinical work, Kathleen previously served as adjunct music therapy faculty at Texas Woman’s University. She now continues supporting fellow clinicians by hosting a monthly supervision group for hospice music therapists. She has also mentored multiple practicum students and interns, several of whom now work in hospice music therapy themselves.”When she’s not working, Kathleen enjoys crocheting, gardening and watering day (indoors and outdoors), traveling with her husband, attending concerts, spending time with her dogs. Her preferred music includes: Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Green Day, Soundgarden, and AC/DC.

Episode 23: Finding Success Outside of Toxic Music Culture (Nora's Story)

Google Form: https://forms.gle/UEPRVugtuUzLVLdP7 [https://forms.gle/UEPRVugtuUzLVLdP7] In this episode, Nora addresses several facets of music culture that had a major effect on her career change. She has found extreme success outside of the arts, and I can't wait for you all to hear about it. Nora's Bio: Nora Segura-Barpal started her career as a music major. In 2020 she earned her masters in performing arts administration where she found her passion for fundraising. She was an arts fundraiser for a number of years before pivoting into her first job outside of the arts. Her journey has taught her about identity as a musician, equity, career pivots, and more. She’s thrilled to join Redefining the Musician to talk about what success looks like post-grad.

Episode 22: Defining The Path In Music After Overcoming Obstacles (Brigette's Story)

Brigette is an accomplished saxophonist who was faced with medical issues that required multiple surgeries, hindering her ability to consistently play. After overcoming both medical and mental struggles, she has found her way back into the music profession. Her story is one of inspiration, grit, and true strength. You won't want to miss this great conversation! Google Form: https://forms.gle/WfbLYjLkgh5Wb55N9 [https://forms.gle/WfbLYjLkgh5Wb55N9] Brigette's Bio: Brigette Jenkins is a professional classical and jazz saxophonist currently located in Dallas, TX. She was raised in several states in the southeast and by age 14 she was performing in the Savannah, GA area at local events, festivals, and restaurants. After high school, she attended Georgia Southern University where she studied saxophone with Dr. Carolyn Bryan. In 2019, Brigette graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance and minor in Business Management and Marketing. She taught private saxophone lessons, masterclasses, and at band camps in southeastern Georgia until 2021. After graduating, she gradually stepped back from teaching and playing for both personal and medical reasons. In 2019, her mom was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer called Gliosarcoma and from 2022-2024 she had to undergo gum recession surgeries which required her to not play for 9 weeks at a time. For the past 3.5 years, she worked as an evidence and legal assistant at a personal injury law firm. By the end of 2025, she decided to leave the legal field and return to the music industry. She currently plans on attending the University of Texas at Arlington for a Master’s in Music Performance as well as further developing her skills in music production, composition, and arranging.

Episode 21: Paving The Way For Young Musicians (Amanda's Story)

Amanda has experienced it all: being in a youth orchestra, going through music school, leaving the field completely and pursuing a fulfilling career in social work, and coming back full circle to start her own youth orchestra (The Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony). Hear how Amanda has navigated all of this through life, and how she brings the love of music and resources to students who might not otherwise have them. Donation link for Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony: https://greaterrockwallyouthsymphony.org/donate [https://greaterrockwallyouthsymphony.org/donate] Google form: https://forms.gle/G4jorZfNRze3QGAaA [https://forms.gle/G4jorZfNRze3QGAaA] Amanda's Bio: Amanda Casper is the Founder and Executive Director of the Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching, educating, and serving communities through classical music while inspiring the next generation of musicians and arts advocates. Since founding GRYS in 2022, Amanda has helped expand access to high-quality music education for students across seven North Texas counties, with a strong focus on accessibility, scholarships, and opportunities for at-risk youth and families facing financial barriers.A trained French horn performer, Amanda received her musical training through programs at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music before earning degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and Southern Methodist University. Her background uniquely blends music performance, psychology, and social work, shaping her human-centered approach to arts leadership.Under Amanda’s leadership, GRYS has become known not only for musical excellence, but for “serving through music” through performances for seniors, veterans, nonprofits, and community events. She is passionate about creating spaces where students gain confidence, belonging, leadership skills, and meaningful connections through the arts.

Episode 20: How Finding A Place In Another Field Created Space For Music (Lydia's Story)

Listen along in this episode to Lydia's story. As someone who loved music and found a happiness in it, her music career began to cause a decline in her mental health. Lydia has now found a way into another field, Environmental Planning, where she can work to help the world be another place. But don't worry, she has found plenty of ways to involve music in her life in a much calmer way! Google Form: https://forms.gle/uEsqqVQ4yzFoVEa18 [https://forms.gle/uEsqqVQ4yzFoVEa18] Lydia's Bio: Lydia has a Master's degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and Bachelor's degrees in Trombone Performance and Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Iowa. Currently she is finishing up her Master's degree in Sustainable Development at the University of Iowa, with the aims of working in the environmental planning field after graduation.