Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Davis.
Hi Meghan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I first heard about music therapy from my high school band director. I listened, fascinated, as he told me about this job where you leverage the power of music to create real change in a person’s mental health and quality of life. I remember him saying, “I could never do it. You have to be tough to do that job.” A part of me instantly ruled it out for myself, as I would never have considered myself “tough.” But the idea wormed its way into my brain and stayed there until come time to choose a major in college, I couldn’t help myself.
Over the years as I learned and practiced as a music therapist, I came to find that my real passion lay with adapted lessons. In adapted lessons, we focus on learning an instrument and providing an individual any accommodations necessary in order for them to be successful. The overall goal, not overly dissimilar to traditional music therapy, is helping the client become an active music maker and gain all the social, emotional, cognitive, and even physical benefits that come from making music.
In 2018, I started MusicAbility with the philosophy that music is not an elite club. Music-making should be accessible to everyone regardless of their age or disability. Everyone has the right to live a creative and expressive life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am so grateful to God for the ease and steadiness at which my business has grown. The people here in Franklin and the greater Nashville area are so supportive of small businesses that the vast majority of my growth has been due to the kind referrals of current and former clients to their friends and neighbors.
Of course, like everyone else, COVID did have an impact, but I count myself very lucky to have only had minimal disruption. We were able to transition almost everyone to online lessons before vaccines were available. We have now brought everyone back to in-person lessons.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We provide lessons on guitar, piano, flute, and voice for students who are at least age six. There is no age limit; adult learners are welcome. We know many students feel most comfortable and are most successful in their own homes and so we travel to you throughout Williamson County, TN. Our team is comprised of Board-Certified Music Therapists who are specially qualified and experienced with adapting music to be accessible for all people, regardless of their age or their disability. We have experience with both neurotypical students and a wide range of diagnoses including learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and more.
Most recently we also released Guitar for All: A Primer for Beginners in paperback and eBook. The book is carefully designed by a Board-Certified Music Therapist for many different types of learners. Progress at your own pace as the book guides you through fundamental concepts a little bit at a time, aiding comprehension and mastery. Kids and adults alike will find that by the end of the book, they will have a thorough understanding of guitar fundamentals to carry into future playing. Teachers may use the book in their curriculum or prospective guitar players can use it on their own.
Pricing:
- Paperback – 13.99
- eBook – 10.99
Contact Info:
- Email: info@musicabilitylessons.com
- Website: https://www.musicabilitylessons.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicabilitylessons/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicabilitylessons
- Other: https://musicabilitylessons.square.site/
