Sigma Alpha Iota

14 Spring 2026 • sai-national.org SAI Philanries, Inc. By K. Michelle Lewis Six years ago, I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. I entered into the program with a vague idea of what I wanted to research. One thing of which I was certain was my passion for group drumming, which led me to research the teacher perceptions of a mindful-based group drumming curriculum. The final semester of my doctoral journey in Music Education was both the most demanding and the most rewarding. Between writing the last chapters of my dissertation and preparing for qualifying exams, I was stretched in every direction. Yet, it was in this intensity that I discovered resilience and a deeper understanding of why I chose this path in the first place. There's something daunting about knowing that years of coursework, research, and practice all converge into a single semester. Every day felt like walking a tightrope— juggling deadlines, rewriting drafts, and carving out study time for exams. The pressure was real, but so was the sense of purpose. In my last semester, I had just taken a job as a middle school band director and assistant high school band director. Not only was I wrapping up my final semester as a Ph.D. student, I was beginning a new job in a new community. As I reflect on my journey, I remember the excitement of my days teaching coupled with the extended days of non-ending edits. Each day was filled with purpose as I stayed focused on my goals to complete what I had started six years prior. My dissertation became both my biggest challenge and my greatest teacher. Some days the words flowed easily; other days, I wrestled with self-doubt and the temptation to overthink every sentence. Still, I learned to trust the process, a process that tested my belief in my abilities and helped me grow as a writer and researcher, an identity I had begun to embrace. Structured writing blocks, constructive feedback from my committee, and support from colleagues and loved ones carried me through. Each chapter brought me closer to articulating the study I had envisioned at the start of my program. Ultimately, passion for FINISHING STRONG: My Final Semester of the Ph.D. in Music Education Dr. Lewis (second from left) following her dissertation Dr. Lewis (second from left) following her dissertation

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