Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) Director of Master’s of Art in Music Therapy, Tracy Richardson ’88, Ph.D., MT-BC presented at Senior Education Ministries, Dine with a Doc – West Terre Haute, Ind., on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Richardson spoke on the topic of music therapy and wellness/quality of life.
“I provide an interactive presentation to help people see how easy and enjoyable it can be to integrate musical experiences into their lives to enhance quality of life,” explains Richardson.
The Dine with a Doc program was designed to allow the seniors to engage outside of their homes and enjoy fellowship with their peers, while learning about valuable resources, ways to enhance their living and education on wellness. Senior Education Ministries offers this free community education program to the local senior public. Richardson was happy to donate her time and expertise to such an impacting cause.
“This a great opportunity to educate because most people still don’t know what music therapy is and because I believe strongly that many people don’t realize that engaging in music is a way to pursue wellness,” states Richardson. “There are many ways that people, even those who don’t play an instrument or don’t sing in tune, can engage in music to improve various aspects of wellness.”
Richardson is a board-certified music therapist; she obtained her bachelor’s degree from SMWC and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana State University. Richardson is a 2005 SMWC Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy Award recipient for Faculty Excellence for Service.