#internsrule

Konichiwa! Bonjour! Hola! It’s me again, Courtney Takahashi, the 2018 ArtBeat Radio intern at Therapeutic Arts Program (TAP II), and I have just finished traveling all around the world with the completion of my “All Around the World Adventure” Podcast Release and Celebration Party. For 10 weeks, my artists and I have worked immensely hard to create content for the podcast. We truly strove for community inclusion, to get every single artists within TAP II (and as many artists as we could from the other 3 programs, EPI, CECA and ART Center) as immersed and included as possible. And, to my surprise, we completely achieved that! 

We collaboratively created:

3 originals songs:

“Around the World” by EPI’s artists

“Happy World Travel” by TAP II’s Community Music Crew

“Around the World Adventure” by TAP II’s Event and Production Group

2 covers:

“Champs Elysee” by Joe Dassin (TAP II)

“Around the World” by ATC (CECA)

5 travel themed art pieces: 

Molds of the globe (TAP II)

Earth t-shirts (TAP II)

Travel themed Photo Frame (TAP II)

Podcast Cover Art (TAP II)

An Around the World Banner (EPI)

The amount of content that has been produced by the artists in 10 weeks has completely blown my mind. And everything I am listing here is just the final product. I haven’t even mentioned the countless hours of writing lyrics, playing instruments, working with music technology (Ableton and Garageband), recording, planning, practicing, etc. It’s incredible. Our event went fantastically. We were lucky enough to have all 3 centers attend along with our special guests, Jazz Hands for Autism. 

We had live performances, a photo booth, art activities, ice cream, and cake! Check out our podcast here

I feel like I was just writing my midpoint internship blog post just yesterday, but here I am at the end of my journey. At the beginning of this internship, I was so timid and shy. I was so afraid to make a mistake that I didn’t feel like I was reaching my full potential. As time passed and I became more comfortable, I realized why should I even be scared? The artists are people, human beings like you and me. They smile, laugh and even make jokes. But, most importantly, what truly surprised me was their understanding of my position as an intern and their openness to work with my ideas. They were eager to participate in my workshops and one on one activities, they welcomed me into their space and they gave freedom to try new things. Of course, sometimes things did not always turn out as planned, but the artists gave me valuable and honest feedback (sometimes too honest ha ha) on how a lesson plan went and presented me with opportunities to change and fix mistakes and come back with a stronger and better lesson or activity.

As a future Music Educator, my teaching philosophy, prior to this internship was to “teach individuals to see through their ears and hear through their eyes.” But, from this internship I have realized that there are many flaws in that statement. Not everyone can see. Not everyone can hear. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have certain qualities. But, nothing should ever stop an artist. Able ARTS Work has opened my eyes to a truly inclusive environment that turns disabilities into abilities. I now have a completely different approach to teaching and how I can make the arts available for all types of learners. My time at TAP II has showed me that not everyone engages in the same way, but there are various techniques to do so. Some artists engage well with the use of technology, using the #Ableton PUSH, Garage Band, and audio recording equipment, others respond to singing and song writing activities and even hand over hand assisted instrument playing. Regardless of the technique, being engaged in music, no matter how it is done, is the most important part. By the end of it, I have had the opportunity to work with every single artist at TAP II, and I feel confident in my ability to figure out how to reach every individual.  

The most valuable thing that I have learned during my time here is that I was not writing my own story. A lot of what I wrote above sounds like it was all me. But, it really was not. I am simply the pen and paper to the artist’s story that they may not be able to tell on their own. Most of the projects that were completed in these 10 weeks were all the ideas and creative minds of the artists I worked with. It was their idea for the theme of “Around the World.” It was their idea to write an original song. It was their idea to make it a collaborative effort. Stepping back and looking from a wider lens of all the progress that I have made with the artists, I am inspired only to work harder and be better in my future endeavors to be able to provide the most I can for the individuals I work with. Able ARTS Work has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of making a difference with music and individuals with disabilities. This is only the beginning for me.  

Thank you, Able ARTS Work, for welcoming me with open arms and giving me the opportunity to learn, grow, make mistakes and try new things. Thank you, Grant, for being an incredible mentor, teacher, advisor and friend. Thank you to all to all the staff that have supported me and encouraged my success. Thank you, LA County Arts Commission, for making this paid internship possible. And finally, thank you to all the artists that I had the pleasure of getting to know and work with. I did not think saying goodbye would be so difficult. But, my time as the ArtBeat Radio Intern has been an invaluable experience and I will cherish my experience and apply everything I have learned in my future career.  

All the Best,

Courtney Takahashi