The Australian Music Therapy Association held its 49th National Conference & Professional Development Seminars (PDS) at Western Sydney University in Parramatta recently (6-8 September).
The event attracted 300 Registered Music Therapists (RMT) from around Australia and the world, and included 90 presentations, with WollCon staff and participants playing big roles!
Convenor of the conference Lauren Bortolazzo, a WollCon RMT & Western Sydney University lecturer, ensured the conference was a huge success, with special performances and guest speakers.
Her photo below shows her standing at a podium speaking to the audience. She has a big smile on her face as she speaks. Behind is a screen that displays her photo and the conference theme: ‘Creative Journeys: Celebrating diversity in music therapy practice and research’.
Ann Lehmann-Kuit (WollCon RMT & Western Sydney University lecturer), was invited to give the local spotlight – an authentic and moving presentation: ‘Born with the gift of a song inside’- a creative journey: personal reflections on song creation, identity and neurodiversity affirming music therapy.
The photo below shows Ann wearing a grey hat and a blue necklace standing and talking at a podium with arms outstretched. Behind on a screen is a book titled ‘An introduction to Neurodiversity and Autistic culture for (music) therapists’.
WollCon’s very own ‘The Rockers’ led 100 music therapists in rocking out.
The photo below shows 5 people are playing various instruments in a rock band. The band is led by 2 men, 1 playing a green electric guitar and the other playing an orange and black guitar. There is a person with long dreadlocks playing bass guitar, a man playing a blue drumkit and another woman sitting playing bass guitar.
“The energy was high and there was a lot of joy in the room. Many thanks to Jack Tickner, (WollCon RMT), Luke Bellamy a WSU music therapy student currently on placement at WollCon, and their support worker Anthony, for supporting the guys.”
Also in attendance were Janet Andrews (WollCon’s Head of Music Therapy), Bertie McMahon and Rowena Harris (both WollCon RMTs).
“The team can’t wait to be a part of next year’s 50th anniversary celebrations for the Australian Music Therapy Association! In the meantime, the WollCon music therapy team will continue supporting and empowering connection through music with WollCon music therapy participants!” – Said Lauren.
