Central Coast Conservatorium of Music is pleased to announce a partnership with Central Coast disability provider Coastlink to facilitate a music therapy program for their clients.
The Conservatorium – a registered NDIS provider – offers on-site music therapy sessions from its new purpose-built studio at 45 Mann Street. Coastlink is a leading provider of disability and aged care services, supporting clients ranging from children to seniors.
“Coastlink is excited to be partnering with the Conservatorium to offer our clients the opportunity to participate in music therapy to improve their lives and to live their way,” said Coastlink’s CEO John Davis. “ The Conservatorium’s new accessible parking provides easy access for our clients to attend this wonderful initiative by the Con.”
Conservatorium CEO, Dr Lisa Barnes, said she is looking forward to the collaboration. “We are pleased to be offering our quality services to another Central Coast not-for-profit. It will be great to see more community members visiting the Con and using our amazing facilities.”
The tailored sessions will be led by the Central Coast Conservatorium’s Head of Music Therapy, registered music therapist, violinist and chamber musician Emma Townsend.
An experienced musician with a background in early childhood education, Emma is well-placed to understand the needs of young music students and how to nurture their talents.
“My studies in music therapy and early childhood education have given me a greater understanding of the emotional world of children. This has made me better at adapting to the client/student and their needs as well as building greater connections with students and clients,” she said.
“And as a music therapist, I’m constantly witnessing my clients’ newfound awareness and accomplishment as they achieve their goals. These experiences can be insightful, poignant, or purely joyful. I feel very privileged to be a part of these moments and it makes my job very rewarding.”
About Music Therapy
Music therapy differs from music education as its main goal is not to develop musical skills or learn a new instrument, but rather to aim to improve a person’s health, functioning and well-being in a therapeutic setting that uses music interventions as the primary tool.
Goals such as increasing social skills, providing ways to interact and communicate verbally and non-verbally, developing cognitive awareness, gaining sensory motor skills, promoting relaxation, providing opportunities for reminiscence, working towards rehabilitation and providing opportunities for self-expression can all be addressed through various Music Therapy techniques.
Who can it help?
Many people of all ages and abilities can benefit from music therapy, including children and adults with:
- intellectual and physical disabilities
- mood disorders
- neurological disorders
- rehabilitation for stroke patients
- behavioural issues
- elderly and dementia patients
For more on the Conservatorium’s Music Therapy program click HERE
