Ben Chappell, Music Therapy MT-BC, Percussion

Ben Chappell, Music Therapy MT-BC, Percussion

Teaching Statement:
The spectrum of intelligence is as diverse as our personalities and experiences as people. My goal as an instructor is to find each individual student’s learning style, and to help them ignite the passion for learning that is so crucial to continued growth. My philosophy is to encourage every student to think of themselves first and foremost as a musician, whatever instrument they play. Technical study and proficiency on one’s instrument are central and necessary to my teaching process, and I try to get students to develop these skills while keeping a focus on expressing meaning and feeling through their music. Music has the ability to comfort us, connect us, to inspire, and to heal.

Music Therapy:
My work as a percussion teacher is what lead me to discover the wonderful profession of music therapy. When I began teaching drumset lessons to a student with a hearing impairment, I began to do research on how to properly address his abilities and make the most of his experience with learning to play the drums. It was through this research that I heard about music therapy, and after looking into what being a music therapist entails, I knew I wanted to pursue this path. Since then it has been my mission to help people empower themselves with music. Over the past year, I have worked with hundreds of clients in a psychiatric hospital that includes inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs, addiction recovery groups, and Boston’s only LGBTQ-specific intensive-outpatient program.

Education:
Ben studied at Plymouth State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in Percussion Studies. Upon graduation he enrolled in the Music Therapy program at Berklee College of music, where he received a Bachelor’s Equivalency Degree in Music Therapy. Ben completed his music therapy internship in hospice and palliative care at Care Dimensions in Massachusetts. His percussion teachers include Tim Gilmore, Joe Galeota, Steve Wilkes, Bernard Woma, and Attah Poku.

Teaching/Music Therapy/Performance Bio:
Ben has worked with music therapy clients in mental health, hospice and palliative care, oncology, and special education. He has taught percussion lessons to a number of students of various ages and abilities, and has performed with a number of bands and ensembles including Dr. David Locke’s Agbekor Society, The Berklee West African Drum & Dance Ensemble, Drummassage, The Manchester Choral Society, and Pardon The Spins, named NH’s Best Band of 2016 by NH Magazine. He serves as the Music Therapy Coordinator for MusicXChange Ghana, a nonprofit that helps artists preserve their traditional music, as well as supporting  free health services and music therapy outreach programs in underserved communities throughout Ghana.

Questions?

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