A quick story from one of our MVM staff members at Mt. Scott Learning Center about a student named Emily*:

I started teaching the MVM program at Mt. Scott Learning Center about 2 months ago. On that first day, 2 of the 9 students were absent. The 7 that were present were all very enthusiastic about making music.

The next session the two students who were absent were there. One was musically inclined and ready to go, the other, Emily, was not, or so she felt.

She looked disheveled, tired and sick. When questioned about her music experience she was adamant about not having any talent for music. But, as she left the class that day she was extremely vocal in her appreciation for everything that happened.

Over the course of the next two months I brought it all, from ukuleles to computer music. She initially showed a great liking for the computer beat making but quickly gave it up. Then she really wanted to play the ukulele and was even going to borrow one but at the last minute made an excuse for why she couldn’t. During this time she had missed a couple more sessions but was always super vocal about showing her appreciation for the class. After attempting her hands at everything she kept saying how she was just not good at anything.

So, I brought in some volunteers. With a little extra attention and help Emily was able to conquer those self doubts. She took a ukulele home to practice and she recorded her first draft of a song which she wrote. From week 1 to now she looks and sounds like a completely different person.

She is a prime example of the transformative power that comes from exercising creativity and sharing your story using music. She has created a new narrative for her self and now sees her self as worthy (which she always was) to hang with the rest of the group.

Click the below player to hear Emily’s song.

*Named changed for confidentiality reasons.