Julia Cavanaugh
Vocalist Julia Cavanaugh intends to use the opportunities afforded her as an EC Scholar to positively affect people’s lives through music therapy.
“While I have always loved music, I wanted to do something ‘bigger’ with my life,” Cavanaugh said. “I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like until a local college student visited my school and gave a presentation on music therapy.
“At that moment, I knew that this was how I could make a difference. Through music therapy, I hope to use music to make an impact in other’s lives the same way music has made an impact in mine.”
The American Musical Therapy Association defines music therapy as a health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals. Cavanaugh plans to use her musical skills and her East Carolina University music therapy education to work with people who are behaviorally challenged, a growing therapeutic population.
“My long-term career goal is to work as a music therapist at a behavioral center with a focus in either mental health or addiction,” she said.
EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
Cavanaugh believes the EC Scholars’ study abroad program will provide a unique perspective useful in the therapy setting, and the experience will expand her therapy service population.
“I plan to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, probably Spain,” she said. “I have taken some Spanish classes and have grown to appreciate the language and its culture, but more importantly, learning a second language will allow me to reach a larger, more diverse population through my work.”
Cavanaugh’s experiences as a camp counselor helped motivate to her to choose the ECU music therapy program.
“One of the most impactful things I have been involved in is my school’s sixth-grade camp, Camp Mi-Bro-Be,” she said. “Two years ago, I went as a counselor and discovered my love of working with kids and the beauty of how music can bring people together. That week, I watched a group of kids from completely different backgrounds come together to laugh, cry and sing. Although it was just five days on a seemingly trivial school trip, it opened my eyes to the impact music can have.”
Cavanaugh said being an EC Scholar means having the opportunity to take initiative and spark change within the community and abroad. She fondly anticipates the EC Scholars social environment as well.
“I chose ECU because of the community on campus,” she said. “All of the students and faculty are incredibly welcoming and I feel confident that I will have the support I need to achieve my goals.
“On campus, I’m looking forward to living with the other honors students, joining clubs, and most of all, playing intramural Battleship!”
“Through music therapy, I hope to use music to make an impact in other’s lives the same way music has made an impact in mine.”
High school: Berea-Midpark High School
Intended major: Music with a Music Therapy concentration
Hometown: Berea, Ohio