Musical Between - Inclusive Music & Art Centre

31/08/2026

Community Band session — it’s been a while! 🎶

06/08/2026

A special new project is taking shape! 🎥🎶
Kazumi and I are creating a video about selective mutism. Together, we hope to explain what selective mutism is and explore how music therapy and other approaches may support people who experience it.

Kazumi experienced selective mutism from around the age of four and began music therapy with Izumi. Over time, she gradually overcame the challenges associated with it. Now a first-year high school student, she wants to help others going through similar experiences.

Kazumi and I share our Canva screen and work together on the slides—I love the illustrations she choses for each slide!
This project may take some time, but we look forward to sharing the finished video with you when it’s ready 💜

12/07/2026

I presented my research study at the World Congress of Music Therapy in Bologna, Italy. It was a long journey to get here, but it was all worth it in the end. I believe my late supervisor, Robin, was with me throughout the presentation as we shared our project with everyone in the audience.

I was especially grateful for the generous feedback from Alan Turry after my presentation. With his permission, I’ve included a short excerpt of his feedback in this video.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way. Because of your encouragement, I was finally able to present this very special project after so many years.

Australian Music Therapy Association, here's my presentation report from the World Congress. ☺️

25/06/2026

Nick and I are heading to Italy next month, where I'll be presenting my research at the World Congress of Music Therapy in Bologna🇮🇹

This study explores my experience of a 10-week dyadic improvisation with my late supervisor, Robin Howat, a legendary Australian music therapist, when I was a novice music therapist. Robin and I had planned to write a research paper together at the time, but he passed away shortly afterwards. Although I revisited the recordings from time to time over the years, it wasn't until now—15 years on—that I finally undertook a formal analysis and am able to present this special experience as a research study.

I also appreciate my research supervisor, Kana Okazaki, who also studied with Robin in London. We shared memories of Robin during our supervision sessions, and it was a lovely part of this research journey.

I shared some of the video footage in a panel presentation at the Australian Music Therapy Association National Conference last year, but this time I'll be presenting more of the videos alongside the analysis and findings.
I'll share more about the experience after I return!

07/06/2026

Frances loves animals, and Harry made her day🐶💕

24/05/2026

My first music therapy colleague and dear friend, Maria Lopes, was featured on the radio program 2MBS FM’s "100% Australian Made" as an accomplished composer. Her music is truly beautiful and healing ✨
You can listen to the program through the link below 📻

First Monday of the month from 1 - 2pm Presented by: Julie Simonds Host Julie Simonds is joined by an Australian composer or performer. Together they explore the background to a selection their compositions or recordings.

23/05/2026

We had a staff dinner and meeting at a local bistro last night. We discussed our future direction in the current challenging NDIS climate and also shared our cases to learn from one another. All of our therapists are enthusiastic, empathetic, funny, and easy-going — such a precious team!

(Marie left a bit earlier, and I forgot to take a photo before she left 🥲)

17/05/2026

Kazumi dreams of becoming a Japanese pastry chef. She sometimes shares her homemade pastries with us, and these green tea cookies are phenomenal!! 🍪😋✨💕

17/05/2026

Bros in sunnies 😎😎

19/04/2026

Wonderful catch-up yesterday - thank you for visiting our new centre! We used to work together at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre with our dear late mentor, Robin Howat, many years ago. It was so special to reconnect and reflect on the core values of music therapy we’ve carried with us since then. I left feeling really positive and grounded. It’s such a precious connection - supportive, nostalgic, and just lovely.🥰