Over the past six years I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with a splendid, resilient, caring, fun group of people. We've been singing together at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research, singing in a choir, but for therapeutic reasons. As you may have and can read in our various research and write-ups (check out where to read more here), quality of life is better if you sing! People living with Parkinson's might sing in a choir to maintain their breath control and strength of voice, while people who have experienced a stroke might join as a way to reconnect with their voice, regain their confidence and speech. It's a way to join in, exercise our voices and sing songs we know, and 'work' on the hard stuff.

I'm celebrating these six years, as it has come time for me to step back from co-leading the choir, in order to focus on other work which is continuing to grow. I will be popping back from time to time to locum with the choir when needed, so it's, 'So long, farewell" but also, "Auf wiedersehen" - until we meet again. Yes, amongst many we have been singing The Sound of Music!

There have been so many highlights, and so many meaningful moments and stories. I will think of the choir every time I pull a tiger face or a lemon face, every time I sing 'Haere Mai', and every time someone taps their watch - ready and raring to start making music! I have learned a lot from each and every choir member and they have a lot to teach the world about resilience, perspective, dedication, fellowship, empathy and warmth. In writing their x-mas cards I found myself continually thanking each of them for their warm smiles, and it was an invigorating reminder of just how much a smile can mean, and how far it can go.

Here's to you, CeleBRation Choir!

A wee video I put together with the choir earlier this year - I love the final comment, "The bikkies!!..gotta remember that".

https://www.facebook.com/MusicTherapyNewZealand/
I love being a member of Music Therapy New Zealand Council - being part of what's happening on a national level is so exciting, and so much has been happening! Looking forward to what's coming in 2018!

We met recently over a weekend, kindly hosted by Linda, Council chair, and Nolan, Council member, for some intense, fruitful strategic planning and a highly beneficial governance workshop with Tim Walker (www.timwalker.co.nz). Here you see us taking a quick but very yummy lunch break!

Many thanks to Spectrum Care for their support of their service users accessing Music Therapy. Since 2014 in various places at different times I have been providing individual and small group Music Therapy in West Auckland and on the North Shore. Maricor, a Spectrum Care Outcomes Broker, asked me to write about David's experiences - happy reading!
- Since I wrote this, David has joined a music therapy group, going from strength to strength!
(Just a reminder, any and all information and images of clients are shared with consent).

Contributing to this book really was a journey in itself. When I was invited by Claire, the music therapist I most want to be when I grow up, I began to consider what and how I might contribute. I started to think about what I had previously written about, and what I wanted to say next about my experiences as a music therapist. Read, digest and let me know what you think!
​PS very exciting news - Jessica Kingsley Publishers are picking up our book!!!