The notes flow out of her mouth one by one, the beat of the song resonating as if it’s her own heartbeat. Students’ voices melt into one as the music progresses. Each frequency echoes into the audience’s ears. For a moment, lost in the symphony, her muscles relax, her jaw is unclenched and her face shifts into a smile.

Senior Madelyn Snow’s positive experiences in choir has led her to a potential career path in order to bring the calming effects of music into others’ lives: music therapy. Specifically, she is interested in bringing music into kids’ psychology.

“I feel like kids aren’t valued as much as they should be and in a lot of cases aren’t given enough attention because people don’t realize how important it is to be there for your kids when they’re really young,” Snow said. “Being able to help kids who need it or aren’t able to get help from home would mean the world to me.”

Patients in music therapy are not required to have any musical background, but those offering the service obviously have some gift in the performing arts. Snow’s vocal accomplishments include being a part of the all region choir. Another part of what has made her time as a singer so rewarding is the community the choir room has fostered.

“I love the people in there,” Snow said. “Everybody’s so nice. We’re like a big family. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s so nice how we all get along really well and we’re all here for each other.”

Although choir is one of her main devotions today, the same could not be said for before middle school. She was enrolled in choir in sixth grade despite not requesting the elective on her schedule. Since then, she has taken it voluntarily. 

“I just kind of fell in love with it,” Snow said. “I love learning how my voice works and learning how to use it.”

Snow hopes to instill the same sense of peace in the therapy room as she feels while humming a tune under the blinding lights of a stage.

“Music for me is therapeutic,” Snow said. It’s something you can get lost in. That’s why I’m interested in music therapy. I want to show other people how it can affect them in good ways.”