ASHLAND — When Bekah Smith signed on to lead a breakout session at the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever women’s conference last September, she didn’t know she’d leave with a new idea.
The two breakout sessions that took place on that day allowed women to choose their own paths at the “Ignite: Mind, Body, Soul” conference. Much of the day’s events revolved around showing women how important it is to take time and space for themselves.
Smith, a board certified music therapist at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health Samaritan Medical Center, hosted a group in one of the Ashland Theatre’s upstairs screening rooms on Sept. 29.
That group sparked Smith to offer a “Women Supporting Women” music therapy group that will be open to the whole community.
That new group meets for the first time on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. in University Hospital’s community conference room. It is free and open to any woman in Ashland who wants to attend.
Igniting changes
Around 20 women filed into the upstairs room at The Ashland on Sept. 29. Smith told them about music therapy and what it could offer to people. Then, she handed out instruments and led participants as they created music.
Courtney McNaull, the Ashland County Community Foundation’s communications director, recalled Smith passing out maracas. McNaull said women clapped their hands as Smith played guitar.
It was neat to watch how quickly everyone opened up by making music together.
Courtney Mcnaull, ashland county community foundation’s communications directoR
Then, Smith said she offered space to share feedback, and followed that up with a guided meditation.
Jen Washock, one of the participants in the music therapy group, said the experience was validating. Women in the room shared about their struggles and apprehensions. Washock, who works at the Kroc Center, said many had similar concerns.
McNaull agreed, saying she left with the sense that she wasn’t alone.
Washock and McNaull both said they appreciated Smith’s thoughts on meditation, and that it doesn’t have to look the way one might picture it.
McNaull said she enjoyed meditating and yoga before the session, but thought of playing music during meditation as “cheating.” But, Smith’s perspective helped her realize music could be helpful during meditation practices. Since, she said she looks for meditation options with music.
Washock said she views meditation as finding inner peace. Now, she takes a moment at the beginning and end of the day to say “hello” and “goodnight” to the world. Washock also prays for the clients she works with.
At the end, McNaull said she asked the group who might be interested in attending another session. Many raised their hands. For Smith, that continued interest laid bare the need for that type of supportive space for women in Ashland.
So, she decided to host the first session of the “Women Supporting Women” music therapy group.
Smith’s origin story
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy can be used to “address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.” A music therapist works with a patient and achieves their patient’s desired results via playing music, creating it or moving to it.
Over 2 million people received music therapy in 2020, according to the association’s workforce report from 2021.
But, music’s ability to help with physical and emotional challenges has been explored since the early 1800s. Groups for music therapists began to form in the mid-to-late twentieth century.
Even so, Smith said music therapy wasn’t originally in the cards for her as a career path.
She grew up in Medina County and her goal was always to play soccer professionally. But, when that didn’t work out, she discovered music therapy as an option at Cleveland State University.
On a day-to-day basis, Smith usually works with clients one-on-one, either in the hospital or at their home. She also leads groups once a month.
“The goal is not to learn an instrument and come out being better at your instrument than before,” Smith said. “It’s to help people reduce their stress or come up with coping mechanisms.”
Educating the community
Smith said the first group meeting will look really similar to the experience she hosted at “Ignite.” She plans to begin with introductions, do a music making activity and leave time open for people to share about “anything that’s on their heart.”
Sylvia Radziszewski, the chief operations officer at University Hospitals, said this type of community event has become more important in recent years.
She said part of UH’s relationship with the community lies in education. It’s not just people coming to the hospital — it’s about teaching people to be well and stay well.
Smith’s “Women Supporting Women” group goes directly to that mission.
Radziszewski said it will bring women together and help them get into a better headspace. The hypothesis, according to Radziszewski, is that doing so will lead to a healthier community.
Full circle
Smith said she’s excited to see how the event on Jan. 23 goes. If there’s enough interest, she hopes the group will meet more regularly. For now, she plans to leave that up to the group’s decision after the first session.
But, if people would like more sessions, she said she’d like to bring in guest speakers and continue educating women on remaining healthy.
Smith hopes people learn taking a moment to breathe deeply or use other meditation skills can affect their overall health. But more than that, she wants women to feel supported.
“I’m hoping that (people) take away that they’re not alone, that they’re cared for and that they’re seen and that the work they’re doing is not in vain and it’s truly special,” Smith said.
For Daubenspeck, the Chamber president, Smith’s continuing efforts to offer music therapy in Ashland indicate the success of its first women’s conference.
The Chamber plans to host another this fall, making the event an annual one.
“It makes me feel good because we did what we’re here for,” Daubenspeck said. “We made connections, and now things are happening beyond us. It’s ‘Ignite’ — I mean, it actually did what we called it. It ignited something.”
