From singing as a child to pursuing graduate studies in music therapy at Maryville, Alayna Epps’ story of how she wants to heal others through music is inspiring.
From singing as a child to pursuing graduate studies in music therapy at Maryville, Alayna Epps’ story of how she wants to heal others through music is inspiring.
For nearly 50 years, Maryville University’s Music Therapy Program has trained students to help people through music. And for music therapy graduate student Alayna Epps, serving others through music is the melody of her life.
“I call my dream an ‘Arts Gym,’ a place where you can work through your problems using whatever medium speaks to you, whether writing, theater, dance, music — whatever!” Epps said. “I’ve always loved helping people, I have a very service-oriented heart and music has always been an important part of my life. So, creating a career that is service-oriented and involves music is the perfect thing.”
Epps grew up performing. Her childhood was filled with singing in church choirs, taking dance lessons and participating in school glee clubs. While earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), she was a member of the UMSL Gospel Choir and the University Singers concert choir.
For two years, she served as an intern for Creative Music Making, a collaborative project between Maryville University, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Arc that empowers adults with disabilities to conceive, rehearse and perform their very own concert.
“Creative Music Making exposes people with disabilities to classical music and gets them involved with playing instruments themselves,” Epps said. “It was amazing to see music therapy in action. After that, it’s been door after door opening to help me really discover what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it.”
During Creative Music Making rehearsals and the final performance, Epps had the opportunity to work closely with her now-advisor Laura Beer, PhD, MT-BC, director of Maryville’s Music Therapy Program. Epps was surprised to find Beer reaching out to her even before she had been accepted into Maryville’s Music Therapy Program.
“Dr. Beer would ask me about my upcoming performances and my ideas,” Epps said. “Like everyone at Maryville, she’s been very welcoming, and the campus feels very close-knit. And the Maryville students I worked with through Creative Music Making were so genuine and confident in their musicianship that it made everyone feel comfortable. It was inspiring to see that.”
Beer remembers meeting Epps for the first time and recognizing her talent straight away. “I was struck by her musicality, her enthusiasm and her willingness to help wherever help was needed,” Beer said. “Her passion for being a force of positive change in the world is remarkable. Alayna’s kind presence and commitment to social justice resonate with me as well our program philosophy. I can’t wait to see what she will contribute to Maryville and the St. Louis community as a music therapist!”
Epps recently began her second year as a St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) IN UNISON Scholar. The program provides scholarships for African Americans who are studying in a music-related field in greater St. Louis. IN UNISON Scholars receive mentoring from SLSO staff and musicians and have the opportunity to participate in other events and partnerships.
Though Epps’ primary instrument is her voice, she also plays piano and is learning to play “Josephine,” her guitar. Meanwhile, in addition to getting closer to her dream of building the Arts Gym, she has eagerly dived into her coursework at Maryville.
“I haven’t been this inspired by my curricula in a minute!” said Epps, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UMSL, with a Degree of Distinction in Creativity in the Arts. “I felt like, ‘Oh gosh, I could take this, and this and this.’ It’s very exciting!”
However, as exciting as Epps finds her Maryville music therapy classes, achieving her dream is what drives her the most. She’s grateful for the support she’s received from the Maryville community, including her mentor, Stephanie Holly, ’18. Holly founded Little Beats LLC after graduating from Maryville to help new and expectant parents and is committed to making music therapy available to all. Holly’s expertise will guide Epps on her journey forward.
“Everyone needs a space safe place, andI believe music is the way to get to most people’s safe places,” Epps said. “Music just transcends everything. It has no boundary. It can break through and unify people. So, why not use music to create a safe place for everyone — a place where music just lives and thrives and unifies?”