Yes, I Have Two Last Names

For over 30 years, Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy has helped individuals with special needs through comprehensive music, dance and art therapy.

Hello, I’m Ely-Ann González Bonilla, an intern at KIAT. I am not originally from the United States. I was born in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, where I lived until I was 15 years old. After moving to Bronx, New York, I finished my Junior and Senior years at Aquinas High School. In those two years, I managed to live in three different boroughs – Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. I was accepted at Marywood University, and started college there in August 2006, pursuing a degree in Music Therapy.

My musical education started when I was about six years old. I am not sure why, but my mother signed me up for music lessons. I can remember a large group of LOUD children attempting to learn how to play a recorder. I came home upset every time because I actually wanted to learn how to play, but the rest of my classmates were there to, well, have fun. That is when my mom decided to sign me up for music classes at “Estudio Dina de Educacion Musical”, where I started piano lessons at about eight years old. We really had to work at convincing the registration lady to sign me up, because at that music academy, children could only start studio lessons at nine years old. It was a surprise, even to myself, when I chose piano as my instrument, because I always wanted to learn how to play the violin. It was a wise decision; let me tell you, because whenever I attempt to play a violin, it sounds like a crying cat!

Eventually, I switched my focus from piano to voice and became a vocal major at Marywood. Learning piano at such a young age gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with it, and that is why I use it more in my sessions at Kardon today.

My experience at KIAT has had many challenges. Don’t get me wrong; I love a challenge! Everything that I learned in college is now being put to use. All of those theories that I was taught are becoming my daily reality. Having individual sessions has provided me with the opportunity to establish a direct and more intimate relationship with my clients. Leading group sessions has taught me to branch out and pay attention to multiple reactions happening in the room. So far, Kardon has been a place where I have exploited my skills both as a musician and a therapist and where I have been placed outside of my comfort zone, which has led to many benefits!

As I continue the process of becoming a trained and competent music therapist, I am looking forward to meeting more Kardon clients, as well as getting involved in all of the activities of the center.