I am going into my senior year at Valparaiso University as a music therapy major, and thus have a lot of experience in general music. I have been involved in music and various ensembles throughout my ... life, I have been trained in several instruments, and I have taught and worked clinically with an incredibly wide range of populations.read more

Virginia Ann Leahy is a senior music therapy major at Valparaiso University. Her recent activities include participating in Valparaiso University’s Chamber Concert Band as principal bassoonist, their ... Symphony Orchestra as second bassoonist, and their Pep Band as a tenor saxophonist. She additionally participates in various other ensembles outside of Valparaiso University, including being principal bassoonist of the Hobart Community Band and second bassoonist of Windiana, in which she had the opportunity to premiere Kirk O’Riordan’s Sacred Spaces. She has also participated in music therapy practicum at several different sites, including Helping Hands, Pillars of Wellness, and Avalon Springs, and enjoys attending the annual Great Lakes Regional music therapy conferences. She is a certified Neurologic Music Therapy Student Affiliate and serves as the Vice President for Valparaiso University’s Student Music Therapy Association. Virginia also enjoys working at Music Makers of Western Springs as a lesson instructor and Valparaiso University’s Center for the Arts in their main office and band library. Virginia has had the honor of receiving the Signature Artist Scholarship in 2022, the Alexander Scholarship in 2020, the Azure La Grange Masonic Lodge No. 770 Music Scholarship in 2020, participated as an Illinois All-State Bassoonist in 2020, received a Concerto Competition Honorable Mention in 2020, and a Director's Award in 2020. One of her proudest achievements is the Strike a Chord for Hayden C. Miles benefit concert, an annual benefit concert she organizes in celebration of the life of friend and local high school musician, Hayden, all proceeds going to a music-related charity. Virginia aims to use her passion for music and the arts to help people. She hopes that her hard work and fierce enthusiasm in the field will assist in brightening the lives of others. Other things she enjoys are Latin and classical studies, video games, archery, and table-top games.read more