The Music Group

"The Music Group" is a project based on the idea of contributing to the community of Spouses and Partners of Harvard University. I wanted to contribute to this interesting group which aim is to create connections, improve the quality of life, etc. specially for those researchers, teachers, students and their family’s comming from abroad to Harvard University.

Academics and their families move into a new country, the partners do not have an employment in most cases, and, due to visa restrictions, usually do not have the possibility to obtain one. They have to adapt to a new culture, new language, and new environment. There is risk of solitude and isolation. For this reason, the Harvard Students' Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA) has a very important function here: to introduce and accompany the partners into this new environment and help them to develop new skills, by creating a community.

What did I have to offer?

Nutrition classes? Health classes? I wanted to do something fun that helped to express emotions, feelings, ideas, to know the people in the same situation, to share experiences, and above all, to laugh and have fun. It would have to allow everybody to be able to be he/she in an environment full of cultural differences. I think the best way to do it is through Music.

My background as a Music Therapist and music teacher gives me the necessary skills to contribute to this fantastic community in different ways. The idea was not to do therapy itself, but to use my skills as Music Therapist to provide a different perspective in relation to what would be a conventional class of music. The main goals of the project are:

Create a space where you can express yourself and your emotions.

Have fun by sharing and connecting with other people.