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As a child, Ronit Azoulay played the flute and always had an artistic side, but her parents encouraged her to set her sights on a steady paycheck. So, after receiving a degree in business from New York University, Ronit spent ten years in technology project management. She got that steady paycheck, but she wanted something more. Then fate stepped in. “I received a school catalogue addressed to the previous owner of my apartment,” remembers Ronit. “It contained information about their music therapy program. I had never heard of music therapy and was intrigued and excited by the concept.” The rest is history. Ronit got more information about the field and ultimately went on to earn a master’s degree in music therapy from Drexel University and is now a music therapist at The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine. At the Center, Ronit and the other five members of the staff use live music tailored to the patient’s needs and preferences and designed to complement their medical treatment as well as their physical, emotional, cognitive, developmental, social and spiritual needs. “Classical, jazz, rap, rock and roll, children’s songs. We assess each patient’s unique needs and determine what type of musical experience will speak to their well being,” explains Ronit. Patients are encouraged to listen and participate and are provided instruments to play, songs to sing and outlets to express themselves. A typical session might involve music listening, guided visualization, structured songs, clinical improvisation, song writing or music-assisted relaxation. The results of music therapy speak for themselves. Some of the benefits include alleviation of pain; reduced heart rates and blood pressure; and management of stress, depression and anxiety. “Patients suffering from heart and lung diseases are able to achieve an optimal breathing level by practicing their breathing through singing or playing a wind instrument,” say Ronit. For others, music helps to soothe their fears or is an outlet for their frustrations. Helping a child strum a guitar while the doctor is taking their blood provides a calming influence and a distraction. A patient frustrated over her long hospitalization may be encouraged to write a song about what she is going to do once she is discharged. “One patient wrote the song, ‘Hospital Blues,’ about all the fried chicken she was going to eat when she was released. Her nurse chimed in with her own chorus about that,” laughs Ronit. The field of music therapy has gained much status and recognition over the years. Today, services provided by trained and certified music therapists are often covered by insurance. “Many people have also become interested in learning more about music therapy to help them in their roles as social service providers, mental health counselors or life coaches,” says Ronit. Ronit cautions that is important in this field to take good care of yourself. “You need to be able to process your day and stay connected to yourself to avoid burnout,” says Ronit. But the rewards are many. The stroke victim who learned to sing before he could talk again. The patient suffering from dementia who was able to envision himself on the beach and began singing “Under the Boardwalk.” All beautiful music to a therapist’s ear. “To me, making music with my patients is much more rewarding than performing on a stage,” says Ronit. “To do something that truly inspires you is a wonderful way to live.” And that is exactly what Ronit is doing. While on your music therapist VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Ronit Azoulay and the team at The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine, activities will include some or all of the following:
Available: All year; preferably Monday/Tuesday based on mentor's availability with exception of holiday weekends Book this dream job vacation
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| (Not included in the price of your VocationVacations adventure) Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® dream job holiday:
Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd. |
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