35 under 35
Elizabeth Kahler Gamma Alpha - Baldwin-Wallace College
Board-Certified Music Therapist, Arkansas Children's Hospital
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most?
How did you discover your passion for what you do, and what opportunities have helped shape your career?
I grew up playing instruments, singing and dancing. I also grew up among my brother, who is autistic, and my uncle, who has a brain injury. When I was in high school, I taught a dance class for girls with special needs. It seemed so natural to gravitate toward music therapy. When I began my internship and saw the effects that music therapy could have on the absolute tiniest babies, I knew that I had found my calling.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from them?
The supervisors I had during my internship were probably the most influential people I’ve had in my career thus far. Internship can be scary, but I felt comfortable being part of their team from day one. They gave me constructive feedback, made me feel welcome and encouraged me to keep going and that I was doing a good job (which means a lot, especially when you feel like you’re doing a bad job). Like I had mentioned in my last response, my internship and the experiences I had there really influenced where I’ve ended up!
What words of wisdom or advice do you live by?
Enjoy the journey. Life will throw so many unexpected changes at you, but take each change, embrace it, and grow.
What is the most impactful book you have read, or podcast you have listened to, that relates to you professionally? What made it so impactful?
“Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe.” There is going to be death when you work in the medical field, and it is going to be sad and sometimes devastating. This book gave me an entire new perspective on death, something I desperately needed, as I continued my work in healthcare. It taught me to embrace the signs that I didn’t even know were there.
How do you make sure you stay connected with your professional network?
I connect with various music therapists through platforms such as Linkedin, or Facebook groups such as Music Therapy in Pediatrics. These resources allow me to keep up with what my colleagues are working on, as well as get new ideas from them.
How have friendships helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
My four best friends have been with me every step of the way. Each of us are on very very different paths (advertising, medical school, photography, public health), but these differences bring out the best in us. These amazing women are there to listen, to give advice and, sometimes, just to be a shoulder to cry on when the day/week/month/year has been absolutely exhausting.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Sit in my hammock and read!