Australian Music Therapy Association

22/10/2025

Words can't describe our elation at the success of AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation - our 50th annual conference in the year of our association's golden anniversary.

The moments of connection, of wisdom, celebration and strength were plentiful and priceless. Thank you to all the presenters for sharing the latest in research and innovation, the insights you've gained from your practice and lived experience, and your vision for music therapy as we move into this next era.



1 - A group of registered music therapists stand behind a large mural: a visual representation of the themes that emerged in AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.
2 - Local spotlight speaker Tanya Silveira-Price speaking at the lectern at the conference, with an AMTA banner behind her.
3 - International keynote speaker Wendy Magee, Denise Grocke and Al Fuller smile for the camera.
4 - National keynote speaker Caleb Rixon, with Zoe Kalenderidis, Grace Thompson and Zara Thompson, all posing for the camera in front of an AMTA banner.
5 - Conference convenor Janeen Bower speaking at the lectern at the conference.

16/10/2025

"50 years is a remarkable achievement. Over that time, music therapy has grown from a passionate idea into vital part of Australia's health system."

Thank you to Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas MP for sending AMTA a message of congratulations on our 50th anniversary.

"Registered music therapists play an essential role in our health system," she said. " The Victorian Government values the contribution of allied health professionals like you, who bring creativity, compassion and clinical skill into care."

Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/1126976854/716c52692f?share=copy
📷 Mary-Anne Thomas MP in her video message

15/10/2025

📻 Hear Dr Emma O'Brien OAM RMT chat with Nick Tolhurst about AMTA's 50th anniversary and how music therapy changes lives.

🎧 https://omny.fm/shows/3mbs-interviews/emma-obrien-inside-music-therapy

And please accept Emma's invitation to join us at Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, featuring a live performance by the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir.

To book your ticket, head to the AMTA website: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/inside-music-therapy-a-public-celebration/

Nick Tolhurst speaks with Dr Emma O’Brien OAM about the Australian Music Therapy Association celebrating it’s 50th year’ with Inside Music Therapy – A Public Celebration and conference featuring live performances by The Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir. The conference is at 6pm on Thursd...

15/10/2025

Final days to register virtually for AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation! Virtual registration closes Thursday morning.

It’s not too late to join us for AMTA’s 50th anniversary conference.

If you can’t be in Melbourne, you can still take part with a virtual registration package for Saturday 18 October, day 2 of the conference.

Live-stream or watch back:

- International keynote Professor Wendy Magee PhD, a renowned music therapist from Temple University, USA, who has worked extensively in clinical and research roles relating to acquired disabilities, including neurorehabilitation and neurodegenerative conditions.

- Local spotlight Dr Tanya Marie Silveira RMT, a passionate researcher, music therapist and advocate who lectures at the University of Melbourne and whose work spans continents and communities.

- Prof. Felicity Baker RMT presenting groundbreaking research co-led by the late Dr Martina De Witte from University of Melbourne.

- Curated selection of conference presentations.

- Closing ceremony, including registration ceremony for newly certified registered music therapists.

This milestone conference brings together leading voices in music therapy to reflect, connect and look ahead to the next 50 years.

🎶 Register now: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/2025-conference/registration/

📷 Text: "Virtual registration open now." AMTA2025 Conference logo.

14/10/2025

Do you have a burning question about music therapy? Come along to Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, and ask our panel of expert registered music therapists, leaders in the fields of public health, disability, mental health and aged care.

We are delighted to have this panel facilitated by Brownyn Morris-Donovan, CEO of Allied Health Professions Australia.

Join us on Thursday 16 October from 6pm to celebrate 50 years of music therapy in Australia, and to get the inside scoop on how music therapy helps.

Learn more and register: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/inside-music-therapy-a-public-celebration/



Image 1: Text reads: Meet the Panellists. Inside music therapy: a public celebration. 6pm, 16 October Melbourne. Headshots of panellists. AMTA 50th anniversary logo.
Image 2: White text on a pink background reads: Meet the panellists: Dr Emma O’Brien OAM. Public Health leader, International Maestro. “Music therapy rehumanises the hospitalisation experience”. Headshot of Emma. AMTA 50th logo.
Image 3: White text on a blue background reads: Meet the panellists: Rebecca Eager Innovative practice leader, neurologic specialist, “Rhythm is a powerful regulator for the nervous system”. Headshot of Rebecca. AMTA 50th logo.
Image 4: White text on a red background reads: Meet the panellists: Dr Carmen Cheong-Clinch, Mental health hero, researcher and educator. “Behind every favourite song there is an untold story”. Headshot of Carmen. AMTA 50th logo.
Image 5: Black text on a grey background reads: Meet the panellists: Professor Felicity Baker. World leading researcher, dementia champion. “Imagine a world where music therapy transforms dementia care”. Photo of Felicity. AMTA 50th logo.
Image 6: Black text on a grey background reads: Bronwyn Morris-Donovan. CEO, Allied Health Professions Australia. Headshot of Bronwyn. AMTA 50th logo.
Image 7: Scrub Choir. Text: Thursday 16 Oct; Hanson Dyer Hall, Ian Potter Southbank Centre From 6-9pm. Be moved by music therapy at an evening of stories, insight and song. Hear a heartwarming performance from the world-renowned RMH Scrub Choir; learn from lived experience; Ask our expert panellists your burning questions; Celebrate with drinks and nibbles. AMTA logo.

14/10/2025

At AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation, Prof. Felicity Baker RMT will present groundbreaking research co-led by the late Dr Martina De Witte.

A fierce advocate for music therapy research and creative art therapies more broadly, Martina left a powerful legacy that continues to inform the future of music therapy. Recently, Prof. Joke Bradt shared findings from Martina’s research at the European Music Therapy Conference and United Nations General Assembly.

This will be a special moment. We hope you can be there. If you can't, the presentation will also be available to virtual registrants to livestream or watch later.

Prof. Felicity Baker will present The Effects of Arts-Based Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analyses on Saturday 18 October at 10.30am.
Learn more: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/20883/a-powerful-legacy-research-at-the-heart-of-amta2025-conference

Attend AMTA2025, in person or online, by registering at the AMTA website: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/2025-conference/registration/


📷 Text: "Prof. Felicity Baker RMT to present research co-led by the late Dr Martina De Witte". AMTA2025 Conference logo. 50th anniversary logo. Headshot of Felicity Baker.

14/10/2025

Registered music therapist in the spotlight on Allied Health Professionals Day! Thanks Ben and Victorian Department of Health.

Allied Health Professions Australia

“I have always wanted to do something where I was helping people through playing music.”

Ben wasn’t sure where his music therapy degree would take him. At the time, finding work as a music therapist felt uncertain. But when he saw a graduate position in Mildura - a place he remembers spending his holidays during his childhood, something clicked.

“We used to go on holiday to Mildura when I was a kid. So, when I spoke to mum about the role, she encouraged me to give it a try.”

Now, Ben works at Mildura Base Public Hospital, using music to support people’s mental health recovery. Not through performance, but through connections.

“The goal isn’t necessarily about teaching someone a song on the guitar. You might do that, but you’re really focusing on what’s happening for someone during that process. I try to encourage people to think about their relationship with music, just by listening to it.”

Ben’s music therapist position is part of our Mental Health Allied Health Expanded Disciplines Graduate Program. Since the release of the Royal Commission the department has commissioned more than 1200 new allied health roles across the sector including social work, occupational therapy, psychology and the seven expanded mental health allied health disciplines including music therapy.

What began as a 12-month graduate role turned into two years, as Ben’s colleagues saw the positive effect his expertise had with consumers, and they wanted him to stay.

“My skills have improved substantially, even over the last 12 months. I’ve really enjoyed the graduate program.”

This International Allied Health Professions Day, we celebrate practitioners like Ben and the 42,500+ allied health professionals across Victoria who bring their unique expertise and compassion to communities right across the state.

13/10/2025

It's Allied Health Professions Day! The Australian Music Therapy Association is proud to celebrate the allied health professionals we call our own: all our registered music therapist members, who work toward the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

This year's theme is 'Stronger together' - and it's true! Registered music therapists work in multidisciplinary, team-based care in hospitals and aged care facilities, private and public clinics, community and education settings, justice system, mental health teams and more.

Thanks to Allied Health Professions Australia for reminding Australia of the important role of the allied health sector.

13/10/2025

🥰 We are thrilled to have the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir to kick off celebrations at our pre-conference public event! Head to the link in our bio to book your tickets to Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, in Melbourne this Thursday evening.



Video description:
A video of six members of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ by Stevie Wonder. Text reads: You’re invited Inside music therapy: a public celebration 6pm, 16 October, Melbourne. Feat. Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir. To book tickets, head to www.austmta.org.au

10/10/2025

“Music therapy rehumanises the hospitalisation experience.”
- Emma O'Brien OAM RMT.

Founder of music therapy at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and creator of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir (pictured) and Global Scrub Choir, Emma is an internationally recognised innovator in the role of music in wellbeing, leading projects with healthcare workers and communities worldwide, from Central Park to the United Nations.

Hear from Emma - and the scrub choir - at Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration. Part of the Australian Music Therapy Association's 50th anniversary celebrations, it's an evening of stories, insight and song for everyone who wants to learn more about how music therapy changes lives.

Emma will be part of an expert panel with Felicity Baker RMT, Carmen Cheong-Clinch RMT, Rebecca Eager RMT and Bronwyn Morris-Donovan, CEO of Allied Health Professions Australia.

🪇 Thursday 16 October at 6pm, in Melbourne.

Learn more: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/inside-music-therapy-a-public-celebration/

06/10/2025

Rita Messak RMT contributed to a wonderful piece by SBS Arabic in Melbourne, all about how music therapy can support people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, especially those who speak English as a second language.

"In these cases, using familiar Arabic songs in therapy sessions can provide comfort, connection, emotional support and many other benefits," said Rita.

Thanks to Rita, her participant Michael Ritchi, journalist Fares Zakhour and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia for highlighting the evidence-based nature of music therapy and its capacity to improve lives.

🎶 Would you like to hear more about music therapy and how it changes lives? Come along to Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, on 16 October in Melbourne. It's a part of AMTA's 50th celebrations, and everyone is invited to an evening of story and song.
More info: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-and-events/events/inside-music-therapy-a-public-celebration/

02/10/2025

Curious about music therapy? Or already working with a registered music therapist in your workplace, service or family?

With music therapy in the headlines, this event is your opportunity to separate fact from fiction and learn directly from leading registered music therapists, clients and researchers.

You're invited to an evening of stories, insight and song to learn how music therapy changes lives. Hear from Australia's leading experts and enjoy a rare performance from the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir.

Join us at Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, from 6pm on 16 October at beautiful Hanson Dyer Hall in the Ian Potter Southbank Centre, Melbourne.

Learn more and register from the Australian Music Therapy Association website.


📷 You're invited. Inside music therapy: a public celebration. A registered music therapist and her client sit at a keyboard, making shapes with their mouths. AMTA's 50th anniversary logo.