**** TW: Discussions of Suicide, Deep Depression, MH and Episodes ****
Breaking The Third Wall Through Music's Mission statement:
The mission of Breaking The Third Wall Through Music is to break the barriers between ableism and music, by bringing a wide range of musicians, regardless of disability, instrument, background, and field of interested across all genres to chat. We also aim to discuss ableism in all forms in the music scene. We also aim to be educational about a wide range of topics in Music Psychology, Music Therapy, and Music Education to continue to create inclusive classrooms and knowledgeable folks.
About Courtney:
" Courtney Conkling is a flutist, music educator, and mental health advocate from Massapequa, NY. Born a triplet in a family of four, she was encouraged to pursue creative endeavours of all types from a young age: while piano lessons in first grade weren’t her cup of tea, flute and beginning band at Birch Lane Elementary stuck and bloomed into a fantastic musical career, with youth orchestras, principal chairs, solos, and All-Area titles galore. While she made the most of the opportunities available to her at SUNY Potsdam and loved studying with Kenneth B Andrews at the Crane School of Music as a young adult, underneath all her success she was struggling with her mental health. When Mr. Andrews suddenly retired, she chose to transfer to Vanderbilt University and study flute with Molly Barth as she pursued a music education degree. Nashville also brought her a new Bipolar I diagnosis and her first psychiatric hospitalizations. After two medical leaves and the ever-evolving COVID crisis, Courtney is about to start studying with Brandon Patrick George at Hofstra University where she hopes to receive her music education degree and expand her musical and educational capabilities as she continues to prioritize her mental health."
