I've done this kind of stuff before....interpreting a life into a fabric piece.
If she is a music major, then how about following sheet music. A bargello with sections where the size of the square indicated the bravado of the music. Ask her what her favorite song is. Then choose parameters for high notes vs. low notes and assign a size of the bargello strip to the melody. How big does she want? Then choose 3 or 5 (odd numbers) sections across the quilt.
Maybe not your skill level. I could help you with it if you PM me.
Marcia