Support Henry to Become a Music Therapist - Spring 2025

Hi! My name is Henrique, but you can call me Henry. I was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1990. I grew up as the son of a single mother and moved to Fortaleza, Ceará, with her after my father passed away in 1998. Even after losing her nursing career due to limited job opportunities in Fortaleza, my mother stood as my role model, doing everything possible to ensure food and an education for me. It was through her love for English songs that I started to absorb music as a life lesson. In 2004, after resonating with "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence, even though I did not understand the lyrics at first, I found translated lyrics in magazines and on library computers. The emotional connection to music became a pivotal force in my life.

In that same year, I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2011, I served as a missionary in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, and committed myself to learning English more deeply by reading scriptures and listening to audiobooks in English. During this time, I was diagnosed with anxiety, and music was my refuge. I composed my first song, "Limite," on acoustic guitar, expressing my struggles and hopes. Around this period, I also became aware of Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah and the possibility of an international degree.

After returning home in 2013, the dream of studying in the United States lingered. I saved some money and applied for a U.S. visa in 2014. A friend suggested I apply to work on a cruise ship, offering a way to raise funds for my studies. It took two years of waiting, saving, and investing in safety training to secure a job with MSC Cruises. Working on the ship as a cabin steward assistant allowed me to save money for my education while improving my English and beginning to learn German, Italian, and French. I also had the chance to perform in crew talent shows.

In 2018, I was granted a U.S. visa, and in 2019, I moved to Utah as a tourist and applied for a student visa through BYU-Idaho. An LDS family, who hosted me during the COVID-19 lockdown, played an essential role in my journey by providing me with free housing for a year. After two years of waiting, I received approval for my student visa in 2022, and I decided to go to Ensign College (formerly the LDS Business College) instead of BYU-Idaho. I stayed at Ensign for two semesters, focusing on completing my general education requirements to eventually transfer to BYU-Provo to pursue a major in psychology and a minor in music. I hoped to one day combine these fields as a form of therapy.

However, in August 2022, during a conversation with one of my colleagues at Ensign, I discovered the field of music therapy, a program that felt like the perfect combination of my passions for music, psychology, and helping others heal. I discovered that Utah State University (USU) offered the only music therapy program in Utah. The only way to become a certified music therapist is by completing a four-year degree specifically in music therapy and then passing the board certification. Simply taking a major in psychology and a minor in music wouldn’t qualify me as a music therapist. This realization was what ultimately led me to choose USU, even though I would have received more grants and financial support at BYU as a member of the LDS Church. This decision was incredibly difficult, knowing that as a non-citizen, I would not receive as many financial benefits at Utah State as they mentioned about grants to international students.

Unfortunately, the LDS Church couldn’t assist me with the Perpetual Education Fund since it’s only available to students residing in their home countries, in case they want to attend non-LDS schools. Some friends and leaders helped as much as they could, but I was told that no official church funds could be raised in my favor due to church policies.

Despite these limitations, I was fortunate to receive donations from supportive friends and community members, which allowed me to start school.

Initially, in November 2022, I was only partially accepted to USU, which meant I had to meet additional requirements before I could be fully admitted to the program. Over the following year, I worked tirelessly to fulfill these requirements, staying focused on my goal of joining the music therapy program. Since I never had formal musical training, all I learned was through chords of songs, mostly from Evanescence. My persistence paid off, and in December 2023, I was officially accepted as a full student in USU’s music therapy program.

I am now in my third semester, working part-time for the Biological Engineering office at the USU campus as a digital marketing outreach assistant, drawing on the experience I gained from classes in photography and video production. Additionally, I love to act and model as part of my creative side.

As an international student, finding scholarships and off-campus jobs is particularly challenging because of citizenship requirements and work restrictions under U.S. law. To help raise additional funds, I’ve been leveraging social media platforms to create content and collaborate with brands digitally as a volunteer. These collaborations not only support my education financially but also allow me to develop and showcase my creative skills, aligning with my long-term career goals.

At USU, since I am a first-generation student, I also have the opportunity to serve as a team leader for the First-Generation Student organization, which supports first-generation students on campus. This organization generously provided a portion of my Spring 2024 semester funding, helping me continue my education. However, even with these jobs and supportive organizations, I still struggle to meet the significant tuition requirements for international students at USU.

External donations have been essential in keeping me enrolled. The university staff have shared with me that most grants and scholarships are prioritized for in-state students, as USU is a state-funded institution.

In October 2024, I decided to participate in the Mr. USU competition with the expectation of receiving funds by winning. However, two weeks before the event, I realized there was no monetary or tuition prize. Instead, I decided to use the opportunity to share my story and ask for support to help pay for my education at USU, which was my main reason to participate in the competition.

Despite the hardships, I am committed to becoming a certified music therapist, a career where I can use my gifts to help others find peace and resilience. And hopefully, inaugurate my music therapy clinic in Utah, allowing more opportunities for more music therapists and patients to enjoy the benefits of music therapy. The clinic will be focused on offering sessions in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

I want to be a therapist who empowers others to heal and thrive, much as music and my journey have allowed me to do. Although I may not yet be a professional, I am confident that USU’s program will provide the qualifications I need to fulfill my mission. Every step has led me here, and with continued support, I hope to reach my dream of helping others achieve their own.