Mr. McKell,

I am a music therapy student at Utah State University and I graduate in a little over a year.

My inspiration and passion for music therapy I attribute to my good friend from high school.  She suffers from many psychological and emotional difficulties because of a traumatic experience she suffered throughout her childhood.  These circumstances, outside of her control, have caused her much pain and suffering in her 23 years of life.  This has not only affected her, but has affected her family greatly.  In high school, she told me that the thing that has kept her alive for so many years was music, but even that wasn't working as well as before.  Even after trying so many different medicines, she still suffers.  This inspired me to help her and others who suffer as deeply as she does.

My concern for the future is that I will not be able to do this in Utah in the future.  If the bill passes, music therapy will be recognized as a profession, and more opportunities to increase functionality in the lives of my friend and others with her will be possible.  My purpose in finding a job in this profession is to help individuals and their families find peace in the terrors these individuals face on an hourly basis.

Please support me in my cause to help these people.

Thank you for your time,

Melinda Barnes