Out-of-class learning in Jamaica and with Josh Groban

Conner Burry '17

Music therapy and cliff jumping in Jamaica • Cultural immersion and career prep in Spain • Singing backup for Josh Groban

conner burry

Dedication: "What I love most about Nazareth is the dedication our professors have to their students. Every professor I've ever had has demonstrated a true interest in my education and is always willing to give me extra help with my coursework or advice for planning my future. I couldn't see myself at any other university."

Quick Info

Fun fact: Sang backup for Josh Groban on his upstate NY tour
Major: Music Therapy
Minors: Spanish and Psychology
Hometown: North Rose, NY

Favorite class

Music Therapy Practicum. I get to treat a real client in the on-campus music therapy clinic. It's an incredible opportunity to get real world experience in my field at this stage in my education.

Favorite place on campus

Rare Books Room in the Library. It makes me feel like I go to Hogwarts! It definitely motivates me to get my work done.

Extracurricular activities

  • American Music Therapy Association for Students (AMTAS) club, the student organization of the American Music Therapy Association
  • Alternative Spiritual Humanists (ASH), a club to promote open dialogue about spirituality for secular students on campus

Career goals

My long-term career goals are kind of unknown to me right now. Over my four semesters of practicum here, I will treat clients of all ages (children to geriatrics), so I can have a better understanding of each population and be more equipped to treat any clients.

UPDATE: After graduating, he became a board-certified music therapist at Baker Victory Services intensive treatment program.


Study Abroad in Jamaica

Conner worked with kids with developmental disabilities, deaf children, people at a homeless shelter, and in an infirmary.

conner burry

Clinical Education

"Over the course of my 2-week stay in Jamaica, I completed 5 days and 36 hours of clinical music therapy treatment. This was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had." Read more »

conner burry

Cliff Jumping

"After a long day in the clinic, my music therapy/education colleagues and I would enjoy a nice jump into open water and then a few hundred yards of swimming back to shore. So naturally, we whipped out the GoPro...." See video »

conner burry

Hand Drum Lessons

"Every night while I was living at the Great Huts, we got hand drumming lessons from the head of our program. We learned several different patterns of drumming including styles indigenous to both Jamaica and Africa." Hear the drums »


Study Abroad in Spain

"I chose Spain because I am a conversational Spanish speaker and learning the Spanish language has always been one of my biggest passions!"


Singing Backup for Josh Groban

Nazareth vocal music majors and music theatre majors wrapped up a three-city tour singing backup for Josh Groban in October 2015.

Nazareth choir with Josh Groban

"So last week I got to participate in what was probably the coolest experience of my life thus far…I got to sing backup for Josh Groban! (Along with nineteen of my fellow Nazareth students.)

We were selected to sing in three shows with him in Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo and we had the time of our lives doing it. We had two weeks to prepare the music and then did three shows over the course of five days…it was a crazy week for sure!"

Read more »

 

Check this out – 20 Nazareth College students AND Josh Groban singing Happy Birthday to Darren Norris, Groban's head of security! #NazArts

Posted by Nazareth College Arts Center on Thursday, October 8, 2015