With graduation just weeks away, senior music major Lydia Garrett is looking forward to following her dreams of using music as a tool to help others.

Garrett will be attending Texas Woman’s University in Denton to continue her education in a music therapy program. According to Garrett, it is one of the oldest music therapy programs in the country.

“I really like the idea to use music to heal because it has a lot of healing properties,” Garrett said. “It really affects the soul.”

Garrett said she always sung as a kid and has wanted to pursue a career in music since being involved in middle school choirs.

“My mom always loves to tell stories of how I would sing all the time in the bathroom,” Garrett said. “I loved singing in the bathtub.”

While at TCU, Garrett has been involved in concert chorale, vocal jazz ensemble and University Singers. She is also a member of the co-ed music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon.

Kat Mangum, a junior vocal music education major and Mu Phi Epsilon member, said Garrett could not have picked a better career path.

“I think it’s perfect for her,” Mangum said. “She’s such a nice and loving person, and she really wants to bring out the best in people. She just has a beautiful heart.”

Garrett said her mother has been her biggest inspiration to follow her dreams.

“Most people tell you to get a steady job,” Garrett said. “She’s always said that I’ve had some real talent and told me to follow that and follow my heart.”

Regarding graduation, Garrett said not having the stress of being a music major will be a nice change at least until she begins school at TWU in the fall.

“A lot of me is really relieved,” Garrett said. “But at the same time, I’m really sad. I’m really going to miss all my friends, the musical groups and my professors.”