I discovered music therapy part way through my Bachelor of Music degree after looking for ways to combine my love for music with my desire to help people. The pathway has challenged me and rewarded me heavily in the work that I do, as well as the development I have made in myself.

NZSM supported me to be actively involved in the music therapy community, where I was able to gain skills and form relationships that have guided me throughout my career so far. The value placed on practical learning combined with evidence-based research in the course has helped me to work confidently and professionally. Since finishing my studies, I have been working as a full-time music therapist in a range of settings with people who have all different needs.

As the creative capital of New Zealand, Wellington is the place to be for anyone wanting to be actively involved in a buzzing community—with the New Zealand School of Music at its heart.

The Master of Music Therapy is an exciting programme to study because you can combine practical music skills with your interest in and enjoyment of younger and older people as your career. Victoria University of Wellington is the only university in New Zealand offering this specialist training.

We offer amazing opportunities to our students, including three placements in fascinating community settings, connected to each student’s choice and interest. Recently these have included placements within early childhood centres, adolescent mental health units, adult neurorehabilitation units, music therapy services in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch, older people’s care centres, hospices, youth justice units, mainstream schools and specialist units of primary and high schools. Research is taught in a personalised and user-friendly way, as part of the practice of music therapy. My Music Therapy colleague Dr Daphne Rickson and I work in a collaborative way across the two-year training.

My personal research interest is in intercultural learning in music therapy. I am learning mbira (an ancient Shona musical instrument from Zimbabwe), which is often used in connection with preserving the health of communities. I am also inquiring about developing our training programme to better understand how music and music therapy can serve our Māori and Pasifika communities. I am currently working with colleague Waireti Roestenburg to consider how New Zealand music therapy relates to traditional and contemporary Māori healing practices.