JAM music therapy

24/12/2025

From everyone at JAM, wishing you a joyful holiday season however you celebrate it!

[Image description, 'Just Add Music' logo, with green and black block letters in the top right corner. On the top left coner, there is a bauble in gold color on a Christmas tree branch with the text in the middle that reads: Merry Christmas.]

09/12/2025

JAM newsletter - December 2025

Season's greetings!

02/12/2025

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we're reflecting on what inclusive spaces look like and what they need to become. JAM was founded on the idea that everyone can have the opportunity to make and experience live music.

We advocate for all aspects of the community to be accessible—physically, socially, and emotionally. We want all people with disabilities to experience belonging and inclusion in environments and places of their choosing, and to have choice and control over their lives.

To the participants who work with us at JAM: We are grateful for every story we've heard, through words and music. Your experiences and perspectives show us where we need to grow.

[Image description: A pastel background with a large wheelchair symbol formed by many colorful human figures. At the top, small text reads “3 December” and “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” In the top-right corner is Just Add Music logo. At the bottom, a blue caption asks: “Are you ready to color the world for them and remove the obstacles on the way?”]

30/10/2025

Halloween reminds us how powerfully sound can influence emotion — from suspenseful melodies to joyful rhythms.
In music therapy, we use this same principle to support emotional regulation, self-expression, and mental health. 🎶🧡
This season, may your soundtrack bring balance, calm, and a touch of magic. 🍁



[Image description: JAM logo on the top right corner. A dark, foggy scene with an orange background. Two black, leafless tree silhouettes stand on the left and right. The “Happy Halloween” text appears in black. Two pale white ghost shapes float near the center area.]

25/10/2025

Last weekend, we celebrated AMTA's 50th anniversary. Gab dedicated many hours to the organizing committee, and I had the privilege of moderating a panel of our pioneers and innovators: Professor Emerita Dr. Denise Grocke AO, Associate Professor Alison Short, Associate Professor Clare O'Callaghan, and Beth Duns, the inaugural and incumbent manager of music therapy at RCH.

Despite the challenges of the past year, we are incredibly proud to be part of AMTA. As our founder, Denise, reminded us, we have overcome difficulties before and emerged stronger, and we will do so again.

Image description:

Image 1: A white blank with green and black music notion on the top left corner, JAM logo on the top right corner. Along the bottom, a photo shows a group of people smiling at a conference.

Image 2: The photo shows a team of people standing together in front of a large knowledge wall. They’re smiling, and posing for a group shot.

Image 3: Another small group of people stand together in front of a large, detailed knowledge wall in an indoor space. They’re smiling, and posing for a group shot.

24/10/2025

Last weekend, we celebrated AMTA's 50th anniversary. Gab dedicated many hours to the organizing committee, and I had the privilege of moderating a panel of our pioneers and innovators: Professor Emerita Dr. Denise Grocke AO, Associate Professor Alison Short, Associate Professor Clare O'Callaghan, and Beth Dun, the inaugural and incumbent manager of music therapy at RCH.

Despite the challenges of the past year, we are incredibly proud to be part of AMTA. As our founder, Denise, reminded us, we have overcome difficulties before and emerged stronger, and we will do so again.

Image description:
Image 1: A white blank with green and black music notion on the top left corner, JAM logo on the top right corner. Along the bottom, a photo strip shows a group of people seated and smiling in front of a screen

Image 2: A small group of people stand together in front of a large, detailed knowledge wall in an indoor space. They’re close to each other, with some pointing or gesturing toward it.

Image 3: Another small group of people stand together in front of a large, detailed knowledge wall in an indoor space. They’re smiling, and posing for a group shot.

14/10/2025

On Allied Health Professions Day, we celebrate the uniqueness and many ways allied health professionals make a difference. As music therapists, we’re proud to be part of this community, using music to support wellbeing and bring creativity into care and everyday moments.

05/10/2025

Celebrating 50 Years of the Australian Music Therapy Association Conference

The upcoming annual Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Conference will be a special occasion as it marks its 50th year. The conference is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 October, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate five decades of significant achievements in music therapy throughout Australia.

As part of the conference, Helen, the Director of JAM, will be hosting an insightful panel discussion titled "Bridging Five Decades of Innovation in Music Therapy Practice." This session will bring together highly respected and innovative music therapists who have made remarkable contributions to the profession over the past 50 years.

The panelists include Emeritus Professor Denise Grocke AO, Associate Professor Clare O'Callaghan AM, Associate Professor Alison Short, and Beth Dun, RMT, the inaugural music therapist at RCH. They will share personal insights on the establishment of the country's first music therapy training programs, discuss the challenges and successes they encountered, and highlight their pivotal roles in shaping music therapy into a respected allied health profession in Australia. Their stories will provide valuable perspectives on the progress and evolution of the field over the past five decades.

Australian Music Therapy Association

13/09/2025

Huge congratulations to our colleague Helen Cameron and co-author Grace Thompson on their published research! Their article "Enhancing connections: A phenomenological study of support workers' perceptions of assisting participants in group music therapy" has just been published in Music Therapy Perspectives!

Abstract. Support workers often provide valuable assistance to music therapists in their work with people with disabilities, enabling access and participat

08/08/2025

Today we observe International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. We at JAM recognize the strength, knowledge, and deep connection to land, language, and culture that Indigenous Peoples carry across the globe. We also acknowledge the concerns expressed below that AI can have on Indigenous Peoples and that we believe that these effects should receive strong consideration.

This year's theme: Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.

"Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities. Besides, massive data centers can also impact Indigenous lands, resources, and ecosystems. This is a new issue added to the barriers to accessing new technologies, especially in rural areas, excluding Indigenous from full participation in AI-related processes." - United Nations.

[Image description:JAM logo positioned in the top left corner. Centered text reads "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, August 9th" displayed in black. The design features an orange background decorated with peach-colored circles and orange leaf icons.]

27/07/2025

'Quote of the day:
" 'You’re the voice,' as John Farnham sings in his same-titled song, can have a significant meaning for many who have been silenced. Silenced because of war, silenced because of violence, silenced because of dehumanization. Music can be an offering, a present, a bridge to overcome the silence and learn to speak again..”(Möller, 2025).

Full citation: Möller, J. (2025). Building Bridges with Music: A Qualitative Analysis Exploring the Use of Music and Music Therapy in Peacebuilding from Different Perspectives. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.3987

[Image description: A white blank with green and black music notion on the top left corner, JAM logo on the top right corner, in the middle is a quote " 'You’re the voice,' as John Farnham sings in his same-titled song, can have a significant meaning for many who have been silenced. Silenced because of war, silenced because of violence, silenced because of dehumanization. Music can be an offering, a present, a bridge to overcome the silence and learn to speak again..". Bottom left is an animated photo of 2 people with guitar and singing. Bottom right is a man singing at the piano.]

24/07/2025

Curious about the role of dosage in music therapy? Check out our latest blog post where we examine the critical considerations for effective music therapy practices! Read more at https://wix.to/cv2KTUH