Mayfield Grad Plans to Launch Music Therapy Private Practice

Editor's note: This story was updated at 11 a.m.

Seneca Block's business plan and true joy has its roots in a day he initially dreaded.

Five years ago, the music therapy degree holder took his mom to a chemotherapy treatment appointment at Hillcrest Hospital. Unsurprisingly, he saw a bunch of sad faces in the lobby — until he sat at a grand piano.

"I'm like a moth attracted to light when I see a piano," the 2005 Mayfield High School graduate explained. "I started playing a little melody and got bolder and bolder. Everyone was smiling and rocking with the music. At that moment, it was like a light bulb."

Now, Block celebrates his graduation from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Upon returning to Northeast Ohio, he'll participate in an internship with Dr. Deforia Lane, the associate director of the Seidman Cancer Center and director of Music Therapy at University Hospitals and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Under her tutelage, Block will provide therapy via the acoustic guitar at various sites, including the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame.

The Rock Hall periodically presents the "Toddler Rock" program this summer, which aims to improve the socialization, literacy and language skills of inner-city children through the use of music.

"They work in sort of a Sesame Street style," Block said. "You're making memories with them, reaching goals and reaching so many children at once."

Once the internship is complete and he has earned his therapy license, Block has his eyes on launching his own small business, possibly titled Block Music Therapy. He'll utilize all of the potential applications for the profession, including nursing homes, schools and private studio teaching.

Block, who played electric bass during much of his time at Berklee, treasures the fact that he has completed college with the tools to do exactly what he wants to do — provide music therapy to Northeast Ohio residents. He did the same thing for homeless children, senior citizens and patients at the Mclean Psychiatric Hospital, near Berklee. 

It means even more when the Mayfield alum considers his initial career choices.

"I wanted to be a nurse or a cook because I wanted to help people out, but that was not it," he said. "I was at nursing school and on the first day, I told everyone that I play bass. Everyone was dead quiet. I think that was a precursor.

"(As a music therapist) It's so amazing to be able to help people and to be able to have an amazing experience at the time."