We were lucky to catch up with Jaime Kennington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaime, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Taking risks.

As a child, I was always a dreamer: a kid with big eyes and big ideas. Too often I was reminded they were too grandiose for our reality. But, what is our reality? It’s what we make it.

At the age of 30 years old, with a successful career in marketing, I found myself at a life roadblock. I had done everything perfectly. I followed the path of opportunity with the privileges I had. I did what I was supposed to do. At the end of the day, I felt empty, like what I did didn’t really matter. This feeling was a constant reminder after I lost my mother suddenly at the age of 24. What did I want to do with my life? How can I make a difference? A year before, I shadowed a board certified music therapist working with a child diagnosed with autism. The child walked in, head down, and did not use words to communicate. By the end of the session, the child’s eyes were looking at mine; he was engaged and energetically said, “bye!” That moment changed my life. I cashed it all , downsized my living, changed my lifestyle all in for two more degrees: music and a masters in music therapy. I am officially an MMT, MT-BC.

So much has happened in 13 years. Dreamers are dreamers. Doers are doers. It wasn’t an easy road but worth the reward. During that time, I had to seek out my support system. This was my most important lesson. Finding those special people who inspire, lift you up and cheer you on. For me, it was the best choice I could have made. I had to work hard to digest and accept those feelings and be okay with the idea that people in my life were disapproving of my decision to leave my opportunistic and safe path. I created my own. I live everyday with a Mark Twain quote, “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

From that quote, we now own a private practice providing jobs to more than eight individuals in the local area, plus more. It was an expensive choice but the price tag was well worth. I love what I do, every day.

You never know where your dreams may take you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are believers that authentic quality work is what matters at the end of the day. Connecting deeply and completely with our clients is our priority. No one in music therapy goes into it for financial reasons. It’s the people you touch, you change, you affect and who affect you. That is what matters most.

At Music Therapy St Louis, we focus on quality-services and match our board certified music therapists with the clients. It is all a client-led and customized design based on our clients’ needs. We service individuals from birth to end of life. This includes a variety of populations: individuals with developmental or intellectual of varying abilities/disabilities, those affected by TBI or other medical conditions (e.g., cancer, blood disorders), mental health, hospice, palliative care, overall wellness and more.

Some life changing moments for me have been seeing a little girl walk for the first time to music, hearing a father talk speaking with his daughter, independently, for the first time after suffering a stroke, hearing a teenager express herself, for the first time, through songwriting… and so much more.

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

Let’s be honest. Following your dreams is a tough road. While the grass may always seem greener, it’s just a different lawn. Going back to school after having a successful career in a different industry was the most difficult move for me financially. I ended up getting a tattoo of a heart on my wrist as a constant reminder, during those tough times, that I am following my heart and what I feel I am meant to do–give back. During school, I was taking a full load of grad classes, worked at clinical practicums, held up to 4 jobs at a time, with little sleep and little money left to pay bills. When I thought my fuel tank was out, I would find a way to run on fumes. I kept my faith, belief and my heart on my wrist. I believed it would all work out. I had to trust my gut. On those bad days, I would lean in to my support system for guidance and pep talks. Those helped me tremendously throughout my journey, which is still ongoing. We still have those kind of days and with the same support system, they bring me up, help me stay focused to achieve our goals.

How’d you meet your business partner?

You are the company you keep, so keep good company.

I initiated a lunch meeting with a board certified music therapist who I very much looked up to. During that lunch date, we immediately hit it off, finishing each other’s sentences, energies aligned. All I could think about was how many great things we could do together. That was the beginning. I didn’t know I would be working with this inspiring woman years later, taking huge risks and moving towards a paradigm shift in our industry. We are the yin to the yang. What came out of a business meeting, turned into my life-long best friend. The things we can do together is endless, or so I feel. She inspires and challenges me everyday. I couldn’t ask for a better leader, colleague, or friend.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.musictherapystl.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/musictherapystl
• Facebook: facebook.com/musictherapystl

Image Credits
Richard Nichols