I gained practical experience in my field

NAME: Leah Cam
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: Bondurant, Iowa
MAJOR: Music therapy

INVOVLEMENT ON CAMPUS: St. Elizabeth’s Chorale, Kantorei, Tower School of Music, Dr. Torkelson’s piano studio

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: I wanted to come to Wartburg because I knew that they had a really good music therapy program and it was a smaller community.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR MAJOR: I had been interested in studying this field for a long time before college and found it so intriguing how a profession in music could also collide with the health field.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: After graduation, I will be working at ChildServe as an assistant to various therapies offered to children in their autism day program until my music therapy internship begins in January. Once completing my music therapy internship and board exam, I will become a fully licensed music therapist and hope to begin working with clients following this certification. 

HOW HAS WARTBURG SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR FIELD: Wartburg has set me up for success in the field of music therapy by collaborating with many different placements in and around Waverly that allow students to come work with clients in their care. I was also given the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients from those in nursing homes to teen and adult shelters.  

Leah Cam

WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE IN KANTOREI: I began accompanying for the first time at Wartburg when Dr. Karen Black asked me to do so in Kantorei, the choir that I am a member of. This taught me how to listen to the vocalists while also paying attention to the director and reading my own music.

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: I think that while students must stay focused and driven in their studies, it is also important to make time to do other activities with friends and to prioritize personal health and well-being.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY:  My favorite memory at Wartburg is beginning my music therapy practicum with actual clients. It was so special to me to be able to partake in music therapy as a student to fully understand what music therapy is and what it can do for clients.

WHY IS WARTBURG WORTH IT: The friendships and opportunities I have been provided through Wartburg by fellow students and the staff have made such an impact on me, and I am so grateful for those experiences.