The Sexuality and Gender Equity (SAGE) Center hosted a “Navigating Life Through Music,” workshop on Feb. 19 at the Martire Center for the Liberal Arts. It was an experiential workshop designed to help navigate the complex challenges of student life. For those involved, it was an immersive listening experience, featuring a series of guided exercises around instrumental music, reflective writing, and open-ended discussion.
This was a workshop about, “turning obstacles into opportunities through music,” the flyer stated. Junior Liam Conway attended the event, which was hosted by Andrew Kirschner.
The workshop focused on things someone would not typically notice when listening to music, like “microskills.” According to the National Institutes for Health, microskills are basic counseling skills that assist in forming bonds between groups to begin the therapeutic process. In music, microskills are the knowledge needed to verbally process text, musical elements and/or clients’ associations, according to Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy.
President of LGBTQ+, Kyle Humphries (left), and host Andrew Kirschner (right) at the SAGE Center “Navigating Life Through Music” event.
Source: Salome Pizon, Staff Writer and Photographer
Source: Instagram, @sageatshu
The first microskill dove into memory using music while thinking about someone important to the listener. Some questions that followed were, “What are some challenges and barriers that get in the way?” and “What emotions hold you back?”
“It was incredibly informative, especially in these times. I enjoyed the experience and it taught me a lot. It was a great way for me to step out of my comfort zone,” said Conway.
The second microskill covered opening up about feeling all emotions in the pain. This was about participants feeling all emotions in the palm of their hands and letting go when they were ready.
The third microskill was called, “Choosing your values.” This was about picking a value to live by and what participants would do to act on it.
“Turning values into actions. I normally act very intuitively, so to ground myself and remind myself what motivates me to do these things, why I have engaged with these things, and what that says about me as a person is really important,” said Kyle Humphreys, Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs.
Whether it is adding music in the background of doing homework or listening to it on the way to class, it is a fundamental tool in day-to-day life. One of the exercises used visuals in order to tap into emotions. Some questions considered were, “What thoughts trap you or cause you pain?” and “How can we release these emotions?”
“Music helps me self-regulate. It helps remind me of memories and connect with people I may not be physically close with anymore,” Humphreys said.
“For me, it is the most grounding tool. I’m a big believer in having different songs and artists that can match different moods and states that I’m in. It is such a powerful tool for channeling mindfulness,” said Kirschner.
The workshop allowed participants to deepen their connection with their emotions and reflect on their personal growth. It created an environment for open dialogue about how music can shape a person’s mental and emotional well-being. The discussion also touched on how these insights can be brought into everyday situations, like schoolwork or relationships.
The session emphasized the importance of self-awareness and emotional expression, showing how music can be a tool for personal empowerment. By the end of the event, attendees felt they were not only more attuned to their feelings but also equipped with practical skills to navigate life’s challenges through sound.
“I think the arts are underappreciated and incorporating them adds joy,” said Humphreys. “You know, a lot of people will say to do a mindfulness thing like yoga or meditation, but I think music has the power to guide and influence others.”
