We recently connected with Adrien Beggerly and have shared our conversation below.

Adrien, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In early spring 2017, I was teaching in a self-contained special education class and expecting my second baby in March. I was exhausted and burned out and the mere thought of starting the next school year over again and having to do the same thing all over again while also being a good mama to two little girls was unfathomable. So I took a risk. On the same day that I turned in my FMLA paperwork for maternity leave, I also submitted my letter of resignation effective the end of the school year.

So my husband and I started looking and thinking and planning and crunching numbers and ultimately decided that after my maternity leave and summer, I would start building a small caseload of music therapy clients. My undergraduate degree was in music therapy, my board certification was still current, and it was a natural extension of the work I had done the last 7 years teaching special education. I could set my own schedule and priorities allowing me to be an available and flexible mom while still having time to continue my career.

Over the course of the following 5 years, I built up to about 12-16 client contact hours each week but am still only working 3 days a week. I have trained two interns and supervised countless practicum students. I am looking now at the process of hiring additional music therapists into my private practice. We survived a pandemic and even added another baby to our family in the early part of said pandemic. I have the control to balance the schedule and needs of my clients with the schedules and needs of my family. It’s a beautiful place to be right now. Definitely a risk worth taking!

Adrien, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the board certified music therapist behind BEAT Services! I am local to the Burleson area and provide a spectrum of music therapy services! From individual and group music therapy to an early childhood music class to an adapted community rock band to music support during labor and delivery, I love the variety of people that I get to serve and help through music! My clients and I work together to improve their day to day lives through better communication, learning coping skills, practicing social skills, learning new concepts, and many other areas – all under the wonderful umbrella of music!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

It’s all about word of mouth! My reputation, the work I do, and the people who tell other people about me! I’ve done very little marketing and continue to grow and receive referrals! Put yourself out there, meet people, tell them what your vision is, and be patient!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Early in the development and growth of BEAT Services, I was approached by the director of the Center for ASD, where I had been doing varying types of music therapy groups on and off again for years. She asked me if I would consider leading a performance based group. And my first thought was a definitive “No.” I love music and I love playing music but I do not derive pleasure from performing in front of large groups of strangers. But thankfully, I didn’t say no. I thought on it and brainstormed some options and pitched an idea of a group that rehearses weekly and then has a performance at the end of the semester to showcase their work! That group has now grown to be called Center Stage Performers and has been running since fall 2017. It is one of the most rewarding things that I do professionally while also continually challenging me as a musician and leader!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beatservices.net
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/beggerlyeducationandtherapyservices