Follow your heart when choosing a major

NAME: Addyson Clark
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: Allison, Iowa
MAJORS: Music education and music therapy

INVOVLEMENT ON CAMPUS: NAfME, WACDA, WSMTA, Enlightenment Week committee, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, National Society for Leadership and Success, Admissions Office Student Worker and Ambassadors

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: I am a transfer student — I went to NIACC (North Iowa Area Community College) first for two years and earned my Associate of Arts degree there before starting at Wartburg. I chose to transfer to Wartburg because of the opportunity to do the double major music program.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR MAJOR: Music has always been a big part of my life. I’ve always known that I wanted to be able to make a difference in the lives of others, so there’s no better program for me. I got to learn both how to teach music as a music educator and how to help others reach non-musical goals through the use of music as a music therapist.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: I am in the process of finding a 6-month music therapy internship. After that, I will take the CBMT Board Certification Exam to become a board-certified music therapist, along with getting my K-12 music teaching license. My ultimate dream would be to teach K-12 music at a school AND start my own music therapy practice to spread music therapy more throughout the state and be able to serve people in rural Iowa communities.

Addyson Clark

HOW HAS WARTBURG SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR FIELD: The best part about Wartburg is that it offers students multiple opportunities for real-world experiences. From allowing education majors to be in the classroom from the very first semester to having six semesters of practicum experience with real clients in the music therapy program, we get the opportunity to use what we have learned in class out in the field. Wartburg creates a nurturing environment for students to learn how to become lifelong learners, even while still in school.

FAVORITE CLASS AT WARTBURG: This is a very difficult question because I have loved so many within my two majors. I would have to say that student teaching was the best though!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY: I enjoyed being able to travel to Colorado with the Castle Singers this past winter break and have a more normal Wartburg music experience this semester. It’s been my first “real” experience of what being involved with music at Wartburg is like since I started at Wartburg right before the pandemic hit.

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: Follow your heart when choosing a major. If you are learning about something you already have a passion for, school doesn’t have to just be school. I also would give them the advice that a previous professor gave to me — just focus on learning as much as you possibly can (and absolutely love what you do), and your good grades and success will follow.

WHY IS WARTBURG WORTH IT: Wartburg is worth it for me because it has allowed me to earn two degrees that will help me to change lives while doing what I love to do throughout the rest of my life.