Australian Music Therapy Association

05/11/2025

Would your school benefit from a music therapy program?

👏 Great news: music therapy is included in several Australian state-funded early-years and school mental health programs.

In early childhood and school settings, music therapy is motivating for children; for older students, it’s a powerful tool for prevention and early intervention of mental ill-health.

Learn more at AMTA's new online resource. Discover:
- how music therapy can help your students
- funding programs that can help you engage a registered music therapist to deliver a music therapy program.

👉 https://www.austmta.org.au/about/about-music-therapy/schools/


📷 A group of smiling children clap hands.

29/10/2025

AMTA sends a sincere thanks to Western Sydney University for being a Diamond Sponsor for AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.

Western Sydney University offers a Master of Creative Music Therapy, accredited by AMTA.

"MusicTherapy@Western within Western Sydney University encompasses the Master of Creative Music Therapy (MCMT), Music Therapy Related Undergraduate Subjects, Music Therapy Higher Degree Research, Music Related Micro-credentials, and the newly established MusicTherapy@Western Centre.

Within the MCMT, the teaching and learning takes an intentionally creative approach to training students to be career-ready music therapists. Students develop the knowledge and ability to creatively apply their existing music skills therapeutically for individuals and groups, through improvisational, re-creative, compositional and receptive methods."

Learn more: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/postgraduate/master-of-creative-music-therapy

📷 Western Sydney University logo. Text: "Event sponsor. Our sincere thanks". AMTA2025 Conference branding.

29/10/2025

AMTA sends a sincere thanks to University of Melbourne for being a Diamond Sponsor for AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.

University of Melbourne offers a Master of Music Therapy, accredited by AMTA.

"At the University of Melbourne, we strive to support our students to develop a compelling level of knowledge of music therapy literature, develop advanced practice in music therapy methods and techniques, deeply understand the evidence base for music therapy across the life span, and commit to ethical practice to partner with people to address their needs. From this basis, we support our students to develop their musical strengths; to be collaborative, person-centred, solution-focused and strengths-based; to advocate for better access to music and music therapy; and to align with anti-oppressive practice.

We envision that graduates will continue to develop their ethical practice in music therapy and forge new pathways for music therapy practice in Australia and beyond."

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gEr4yXTi

📷 University of Melbourne logo. Text: "Event sponsor. Our sincere thanks". AMTA2025 Conference branding.
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29/10/2025

AMTA sends a sincere thanks to Music Beat Australia for sponsoring Inside Music Therapy: A Public Celebration, the evening before AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.

Based in Brisbane, Music Beat Australia provides clinical music therapy services for children and adults of all abilities.

Learn more: https://musicbeat.com.au/

📷 Music Beat Australia logo. Text: "Event sponsor. Our sincere thanks". AMTA2025 Conference branding.

28/10/2025

AMTA sends a sincere thanks to TheraMelo for being our Gold Sponsor for AMTA2025 Conference: Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.

An accessible music therapy streaming app for your well-being, Theramelo includes playlists crafted by registered music therapists to support people of all ages and needs.

Learn more: https://www.theramelo.com/

📷 Theramelo logo. Text: "Gold sponsor. Our sincere thanks". AMTA2025 Conference branding.

28/10/2025

The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is pleased to announce that Amanda Quealy has been appointed CEO of our association and will join the leadership team in mid-November.

Amanda comes to AMTA with a strong background as a senior executive and CEO in health, aged and community care, with expertise in transformational leadership, strategic planning, governance and risk management.

President Monica Zidar RMT said the appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the association celebrates its 50th anniversary and growing awareness of its place as a nationally regulated allied health profession.

“It’s an exciting time for registered music therapists as we consolidate our place in government-funded schemes such as the NDIS, Aged Care Support at Home, mental health programs in schools and more,” Monica said.

“Amanda’s experience and expertise will play an important role in improving consumer access to music therapy across the sector.”

AMTA also honours the contribution of outgoing CEO Bridgit Hogan RMT, who was appointed an honorary life member of the association.

Read more: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/21157/amta-appoints-new-ceo

📷 Text: "CEO announcement. AMTA welcomes Amanda Quealy". Headshot of Amanda. AMTA logo.

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.