This placement involved providing Sunraysia Arts and Learning with music therapy and tech support for their project based at the Mildura English Language School, in preparation for the Mildura Multicultural Festival.This project involved preparing the school children to perform 4 pieces (singing and dancing), accompanied by backing tracks and SunRaysed Voices for the Mildura Multicultural Festival.My roles included observing and participating in music therapy sessions via Zoom and in person, facilitating music therapy experiences in person, preparing and recording performance backing tracks, liaising with staff from the MELC school and Community Music Victoria, resource gathering, and session and performance planning.

Multicultural Women Victoria (MWV) is a community volunteer organisation aimed at supporting and empowering women within metro and regional Melbourne. MWV offers weekly, fortnightly and monthly sessions within the community to bring together women from diverse backgrounds to share stories, create art, socialise, learn, develop their English language skill and feel connected and empowered.Many participants who attend MWV are from refugee and migrant backgrounds.During my time working with MWV I independently established in-person music therapy sessions within MWV’s pre-existing multicultural playgroup and seniors circle in Melbourne’s South East.During the playgroup sessions music was used to support mother/child bonding, to empower mothers to use their voices and engage in play, to help the children develop motor and cognitive skills and to provide volunteers and careers with respite.During the seniors circle music was used to support empowerment, confidence building and solidarity. Through musically facilitated therapeutic conversations the women reflected on their experiences traveling to Australia and their identity both within the women’s group and wider community. Moreover, music and movement and instrument play supported women’s physical and mental health, and encouraged positive wellbeing.

Sunraysia Arts and Learning is a leading supplier of music therapy and music teaching to people of all ages and abilities in the Sunraysia/ Mallee area. During my placement I observed and co-facilitated music therapy services in person, as well as facilitated online Telehealth sessions with participants ranging from less than 1 year old to 80+.Via telehealth I co-facilitated intergenerational music therapy sessions involving students from a local kindergarten and residents from an aged care facility in the Sunraysia area. Through a mix of singing, instrument play, story sharing, dancing and improvisation these sessions helped facilitate intergeneration friendships, and support the wellbeing of aged care residents.In addition, I conducted 1:1 Telehealth sessions wherein I facilitated song writing, music listening, therapeutic conversation, song sharing, musical improvisation and playlist creation.

Casey Hospital, located in Melbourne's South East, provides emergency, general medicine, mental health, rehabilitation, surgery, and ambulatory care services.During my placement at Casey hospital, I supported patients by providing 1:1 bed-side music therapy sessions focussing on improving patient's mental health, wellbeing and vitality. In particular I attended patients with dementia, those recovering from surgery, those with multiple sclerosis and those with chronic mental health challenges.I also attended allied health and palliative care meetings wherein I liaised with hospital staff and communicated patient information. I also recorded patent information using the hospital's electronic medical record system.In addition to seeing patients 1:1, I also helped initiate an online cultural playlist program for patients in isolation such as covid-19 patients who are not able to receive live music therapy.

The Currajong School is a registered, independent specialist school established in 1974 . The school's music therapy program aims to support social and behavioural development, emotion regulation and community building.My roles involved observing and co-facilitating group and individual music therapy sessions, as well as assisting with the development and execution of an afternoon music club. During my student placement at The Currajong School I had the opportunity to co-facilitate music therapy sessions with neurodiverse primary aged children.