Hello! I'm Annamarie

Hello friends from all over! My name is Annamarie Dwozan, I attend Georgia College and State University, I'm 20 years old and I'm going into my junior year in Music Therapy! My principle instrument is Piano which I have played since I was 7. I've been in choirs (always as a alto) ever since I've been in public schools, and I've been playing the Guitar (my favorite) for a little bit over a year. I actually originate from Europe, I was born in Taldom, Russia ( about 2 hours north of Moscow) and I have not gotten a chance to go back since I've been adopted. I'm super excited to be around this culture that I once used to be a part of.

I have multiple reasons for my interest in this program, and first is site seeing. I'm a very proactive person and I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend my summer than to see some of the world's most historic places. This time I will get to experience Europe through the eyes of a middle class consumer, not an orphan.  I'm stoked to try the German cuisine and to see some of the countries most historic cities like Salzburg (they have The Sound of Music Tour and Mozart's house), Berlin, and Vienna! I'm a huge fan of trains as transportation, I've had an odd obsession with them ever since I was a small child (you can ask my mother), there's something very soothing about a train's whistle!

I heard about this program from my favorite advisor (Dr. Keith) and because this program fulfills my major requirements, attending this trip was a mindless decision! I'm very excited to take Psychology of Music, this topic is right up my ally, I can't wait to learn more about how music affects behaviors, and how humans are impacted by different features and structures of music. International Topics of Music will be very fascinating too, if it weren't for the advancements by the Europeans our society wouldn't be where it is right now musically. I love studying about different instruments and their origins (I gravitate more towards percussion).  Through the class time, and field trips I expect to find more motivation as a professional in this field (especially while we're at the International Music Therapy Conference!!).

As we all learn the ways of the Europeans and culture on this trip, I hope to learn a lot more about musical improv (something I've been struggling with on my own) and I'm eager to find my passion for Piano again! After rigorous lessons all my life, I've lost a lot of interest playing for myself. I read music very well but I feel that to be a great Music Therapist I must have a good since and ability to improv for my future clients. I think for some musicians improv is easy peasy and I want to adopt that style of thinking!

Let the trip begin!
Peace,
Annamarie Dwozan

P.S. I'm very excited to meet you all VERY soon!