By Abby Denault ’25

There’s an added magic to the air on campus after the arrival of Kyle Fleming, visiting music therapist in residence.

Fleming ’12 returned to the college this year with 10 years of clinical experience, including running his own practice in the Champaign-Urbana area in Illinois.

“It’s kind of been a secret goal of mine to come back and teach,” Fleming said. “I’ve been talking about it for a long time. The opportunity just came up at a time when I was able to take advantage of it, and my wife said I would regret it if I didn’t apply. So I threw in an application.”

Fleming knew he wanted to find work in a helping profession, much like his mother who is a social worker. His involvement in music during middle school and high school helped him to find his calling in music therapy.

“And actually, the initial plan was I was going to go to Luther because I attended their music camp. But they didn’t have a music therapy program,” Fleming said. “When I learned about music therapy and that it was here at Wartburg, I decided it’s far enough away from home where I can have some freedom. I haven’t looked back. It was just such a great experience as a student. And it’s nice to be able to share that experience as an alum and as a professor here.”

Music therapy isn’t Fleming’s only passion, though.

“I’ve been interested in magic since I was a kid, but with where I grew up, I had no idea how people learned magic or how any of that works,” Fleming said. “Since 2017, I’ve been exploring and learning magic, and I perform when I can at different parties and functions. I have stuff ready to go pretty much anywhere I’m at. I’ll do it in my office.”

Little did he know his wife would also have a connection to the hobby.

“My wife’s grandfather was the 1984 president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians,” Fleming said. “When we started dating, she was like, ‘Oh, yeah, my grandfather did this or whatever.’ I was like, I’m going to meet this man and we’re going to be best friends.”

Magic is not the only craft Fleming is honing. He’s also a songwriter who gets his inspiration from artists like “Weird Al” Yankovic for his songs about a variety of topics in an abundance of styles.

Fleming has done silly songs — like a love song to gas station hot dogs — and heavier songs on topics such as mental health and suicide. His song The Dog Doesn’t Know is told from the dog’s perspective when its owner doesn’t show up. The songs were written for a mental health awareness and suicide prevention organization called Rattle the Stars in Champaign, Ill.

“I’m inspired to soak in whatever I can,” Fleming said. “It’s exploring different themes and the full facet of humanity and emotion. There’s some really silly stuff. There’s some really kind of serious stuff. There’s some stuff in between too.”

Above all, Fleming wants students to know he is there to talk or show them a magic trick when they need it.

“I want any students to know that my door is always open,” Fleming said. “If somebody’s really passionate about something and just needs to talk to somebody about it, I love listening and learning. Feel free to stop by or schedule an appointment.”

Students can see Fleming in action at a Halloween Magic Show at the Waverly Public Library on Oct. 22 at 10 a.m.