Inspire, Spring 2009

16 spring 2009 by Sharyn Kopf Looking back, all the pieces of the puzzle that would make up Dr. Deforia Lane’s career were there — her love of music, her compassion, and, above all, her faith. But for this Cedarville University trustee, it took several years, and some fairly significant events, for the picture of God’s will for her life to come together. After Deforia graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a degree in vocal performance, she was invited to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Similar to Juilliard, this invitation offered her an extraordinary opportunity. And she thought her dreams were coming true. “I auditioned with people who were brilliant,” she said. “I felt dwarfed when I got there — a little fish in a big sea.” Though she was accepted, Deforia continued to feel out of her league … and was asked not to return. The school expected its students to have more vocal technique than she possessed and recommended she get that experience elsewhere. Needless to say, she was devastated. “What was I going to do? Did I want too much?” she asked. God answered: “I’ll show you.” So Deforia returned to the University of Cincinnati to continue working on her master’s degree. A New Dream Within a year, her life was heading in a different direction. She married Ernest, gave birth to their first son, and settled into her role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. But five years later, she decided to go back to Cleveland State University to again study voice. “That’s where I first heard of music therapy,” she said. “I felt the Lord say, ‘This is what I want you to do. You will express Me in this profession.’” Deforia resonated with the way music therapy combined the beauty of music with her desire to inding a Song, Living a Dream