SOUND EXPRESSION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Alice is a Registered Music Therapist with a Masters of Creative Music Therapy from Western Sydney University and Bachelor's degrees in Music and Education. She later furthered her music therapy education by completing Neurologic Music Therapy training. Her music therapy experience includes early intervention work with children, clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (children and adults), special needs schools, hospital settings, stroke rehabilitation and aged care.
She is passionate about the capabilities that music has to offer as an evidence-based therapy in improving speech, cognitive function and improving social skills in clients. She also continues to support and educate young students of all abilities in learning music and strongly believes all children should have access to music education.
Alice enjoys working in a multi-disciplinary team, working alongside various Allied Health professionals to support children and adults with a disability to reach their potential. She enjoys collaborating and integrating this knowledge to work with clients and their families.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Cathy completed her Bachelor and Master of Music majoring in composition at the University of New South Wales. Her dedicated interest in supporting individuals with disability with her musical skills led her to pursue her Master of Music Therapy degree at the University of Technology Sydney. She later furthered her music therapy education by completing Neurologic Music Therapy training. Cathy has been working as a music educator and a Registered Music Therapist for children with disability in various settings, including private practice, support units in primary schools, and community music therapy groups.
Cathy is passionate about supporting children and adults in reaching their full potential and improving their quality-of-life through music. She believes that music can empower clients and assist them in expressing themselves better in the service of personal growth. By utilising a holistic approach, Cathy joins her clients in their music therapy journey of exploring and developing their aptitudes. She is able to readily connect with her clients and builds strong therapeutic relationships with both clients and their families. Cathy focuses intently on their needs, sets therapeutic goals and develops clearly defined strategies and plans to help her clients flourish.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Christine Morson completed her Postgraduate studies in Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University and also completed her training in Neurologic Music Therapy. For over 17 years she has worked as a Registered Music therapist, including for several music therapy and disability organisations, both as a contractor and in her own private practice. Her experience encompasses adults and children with a broad range of disabilities, young children in early intervention settings, adolescents with behavioural/emotional disorders and adults with a range of mental health issues. She has established and developed music therapy programs for ‘Mums and Bubs' groups, in NSW State High Schools, in prison settings as well as creating a music therapy position in Health NSW.
As well as her experience as a Registered Music Therapist, Christine has also been a qualified dance teacher and aerobics instructor and she loves to incorporate movement into her music therapy sessions. She brings a wealth of experience, passion and creativity to her music therapy work to enable positive, transformative change in her clients.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Registered Music Therapist
Eudora is a Registered Music Therapist with over 25 years' clinical experience working with children and adults with a wide range of needs and ability levels. Eudora first came into contact with Music Therapy when she was preparing for her thesis during her undergraduate studies in Music and Psychology. Subsequently, her interest in the area led her to take on further studies in Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne to become a Registered Music Therapist. With her previous experience in piano performance, music management and music education, Eudora is able to integrate her knowledge and experience to serve clients of various age groups and needs.
Eudora has a special interest in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is also very experienced in providing therapy for clients with Rett Syndrome, hearing and visual impairment, cerebral palsy, and those with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Eudora's ability to relate well with families has also enabled her to have much success in early intervention and leading multi-cultural parenting music therapy groups. Eudora has worked locally and overseas with more than 10 special schools, 15 adult services providers, and various specialist clinical settings such as the Autism Specialist Clinic, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, Westmead Children's Hospital Rett Syndrome Management Clinic, and Macquarie University on a special PhD research study regarding the use of music therapy for children using hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Eudora is always fascinated by how individuals discover themselves and the world around them through music, and how music can be a language for communication and relationship building. In the process of therapy, she has witnessed remarkable growth and transformations in her clients.
Damian Khoury is a Music Therapy Assistant and a Music Therapy Student completing his Master's Degree in Music Therapy. He has a Bachelor's degree in Music and a dual Diploma in Audio Production and Music Business. He is South African-born and comes from an Italian and Lebanese heritage. Damian has experience in various environments, such as primary and high school youth work, music industry performance and production experience, and beginner violin tutoring. Damian uses his knowledge and experiences of the violin, piano, guitar, bass guitar and vocals to help support those in the music therapy setting.
Damian's passion for people and music has helped shape who he is and how he interacts with this beautiful and complex world. He is driven by wanting to help support those who have not been given the same opportunities due to reasons outside their control. He believes that music can play a significant role in assisting people to achieve their personal goals.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Edwin is a Registered Music Therapist who completed his Master of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University. Previously, Edwin worked as a music tutor, teaching primarily guitar, as well as bass guitar, ukulele and drums.
He has experience working with diverse clinical populations; from facilitating small group sessions for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, to leading both group and individual music therapy workshops in hospitals as part of trauma-informed practice.
Edwin's strengths lie in his ability to listen to and connect with his clients, to assist them in building the resources they need for their own unique journey. His therapeutic method combines strengths-based and person-centred approaches which utilise the client's interests and strengths to build motivation and confidence. Edwin firmly believes in the power of music and he greatly enjoys helping his clients progress towards their goals, using the musical tools that he is so passionate about.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Grace completed a media degree which focussed primarily on contemporary music production and performance at Macquarie University. She also has a Master of Creative Music Therapy from Western Sydney University. Her main instruments are piano and voice, and she is also accomplished on guitar and drums/percussion.
Grace manages her own private music teaching business and has music therapy experience working in special education schools and support units with children and adolescents with disabilities. Within a music therapy context, Grace draws on her improvisation, aural and rhythmic skills to connect with her clients and from there, build positive therapeutic relationships to help them achieve their goals.
Ira is a highly experienced professional who has worked in the corporate sector for over 20 years as a Systems Analyst. She made the decision to exit her corporate life and devote her time to more fulfilling personal pursuits. Ira brings a wide range of skills to Sound Expression including: creative and innovative problem-solving, exceptional computer, data manipulation and management skills and excellent attention to detail.
Her skills are being put to good use at Sound Expression, handling the various complexities of administering our NDIS processes and also ensuring that our back-end administration supports our growth.
She is also heavily involved in many community organisations and volunteers on a regular basis for many worthy causes.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist and Special Education Teacher
Jen Whalan is a dual-qualified Registered Music Therapist and Special Education teacher with a combined fifteen years' experience across these disciplines. Jen has worked in health and education settings including Westmead Children's Hospital, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, various early intervention and adult services, and several Schools for Specific Purposes. Whilst working at a special school as a teacher in London, Jen came across the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre and decided to re-train as a music therapist back in Australia, completing a Masters of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University.
Jen's focus is to use music to ‘meet' children and adults of all abilities where they are musically, socially, cognitively and emotionally, to establish a positive, respectful and interactive relationship and explore the needs of each individual client. In between raising four children and working, Jen's interest in research has recently led to her completing a Masters of Research at Western Sydney University, where she is planning to pursue a PhD in the area of music therapy, disability studies and neurodiversity.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Lucy Morgan is a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). She has a Master's degree in Music Therapy, Bachelor's degree in music and an Advanced Diploma in live music performance. Lucy has experience in a variety of settings including early intervention, special development schools, residential care homes, hospital settings, at-home support, individual and group music programs, day care centres and community-based services. She works in a collaborative, humanistic and ecological orientation to provide caring, patient and understanding service to individuals of all abilities.
Lucy is enthusiastic about empowering others to foster their strengths, build social connectedness and develop positive relationships with others. She is passionate about individuality and neurodiversity and strongly believes that everyone should have equal opportunity for self-expression and access to the broader community. Lucy uses innovative, creative and integrated methods to develop programs suited to each individual and their needs. As a music therapist, Lucy aims to assist others to engage with their progress, achieve their goals and strengthen their communication and support systems for sustainable outcomes within the therapeutic process and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Previously a piano/violin tutor and an accompanist in competitions and examinations, Lydia now uses her classical music background in therapy work. Lydia has worked extensively in many varied environments, from playgroups to group homes and aged care facilities. She most enjoys working with children and adults with disabilities, striving to help them achieve their potential and reach key goals through motivated musical interactions.
Lydia completed her Master of Creative Music Therapy through Western Sydney University. Since then she has worked at prominent music therapy organisations, honing her skills while working with a wide variety of children and adults with disabilities. She has worked for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia for several years developing extensive clinical experience while also performing outreach work at playgroups, working with young adults at group homes and children in Support Units at schools. She was also a Practice Manager during her time at Nordoff-Robbins, giving her a unique insight into the challenges of running a busy music therapy clinic.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Pete McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz piano performance, receiving the Student of the Year award. After returning to study and completing his Masters of Creative Music Therapy, as well as training in Neurologic Music Therapy, he now focuses primarily on clinical work. This includes working with adults with disability and mental health challenges, clients with dementia, as well as children across a broad range of populations. One of Pete's many strengths is his ability to connect with clients in a fun and engaging way to help them achieve their goals.
His Music Therapy work with older adults has included weekly visits to Anglicare Retirement Villages, Hammondcare, and Catholic Healthcare facilities. He was part of the initial launch of Hammondcare's "Arts on Prescription" project, funded by the Australian Government with research performed by the University of NSW. This project researched the effect engagement in community-based arts programmes had on the physical and mental health of participants.
He also featured on the 2019 ABC Catalyst TV episode "Healthy Ageing", which looked into research on how socialisation through music participation can impact the brain.
Pete is also a guest lecturer for the Masters of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Rebecca (Bec) Cooper is a Registered Music Therapist with a Masters in Creative Music Therapy from Western Sydney University. Having played the violin since she was four years old, Bec has always been surrounded by music. She has now expanded her instrumental skills to include piano, guitar and bass guitar.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
- Senior Music Therapist
Rob Devlin is a Senior Music Therapist with over 14 years' experience and a Director of Sound Expression. He was previously Senior Music Therapist and Head of Business Development for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. He completed his Master in Creative Music Therapy through Western Sydney University.
Rob has extensive experience as a music therapist with many clinical populations, including children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, adolescents and adults with mental health diagnoses, ‘at risk' children, rehabilitation work with clients who have had strokes, acquired brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. He also has extensive experience providing music therapy in aged care settings including clients with dementia.
Before coming to music therapy, Rob had many years' experience in the corporate world in various senior sales and marketing roles. He left that world behind to focus on his passion, which is using music to help others live a more fulfilled and rewarding life.
Alya is a Registered Music Therapist who completed her Master of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University. She is a Ukrainian-born, classically trained singer with extensive performance experience in Opera, Musical Theatre and Choir. Her main instruments are voice and piano.
Alya's clinical interests are in working with children and in aged care. Prior to undertaking her music therapy studies, she owned a music business offering early childhood music programs to families and childcare facilities. Alya has experience working with children and adults in a variety of different settings, including an SSP school, aged care and dementia settings, mainstream primary school and in childcare centres.
In her work with clients, Alya integrates person-centred and family-centred approaches. Using evidence-based music therapy techniques, Alya tailors her sessions to address the client's clinical goals while ensuring that they enjoy the journey. Having two children herself, Alya understands the significance of collaboration with families. It is her aim to work with clients and families to extend music therapy's benefits beyond the therapy room and to support them in achieving their full potential through music.
Alya is also fluent in both Ukrainian and Russian.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Sebastian is a Registered Music Therapist who completed his Master of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University. He has also completed a Bachelor of Music in Performance, with his main instruments being the guitar and bass guitar.
Sebastian's experience includes working with children and young adults with disabilities; as well as working with adults with mental health diagnoses. He has several years of experience performing across various venues in Sydney and runs a private music tutoring business, teaching guitar, bass guitar and ukulele.
He is passionate about combining his knowledge gained from working in the wider music field, with music therapy practice to help clients improve their health and wellbeing and achieve their potential! When he's not busy making music, Sebastian is also a keen basketballer.
Steve is a highly experienced professional who has worked in the global logistics services industry for 30 years, including the roles of Assistant General Manager and Company Secretary. His interest in joining Sound Expression stems from his desire to work in a sector which makes an impact caring for others in the community.
His skill set is being put to great use as Practice Manager at Sound Expression, assisting the Directors in managing the practice including its various administrative, logistical and financial aspects.
Steve is also dedicated and involved in helping the community though volunteering for various worthy causes including the Youth Off The Streets Food Van. He also loves music and he is part of his local church choir.
Job Titles:
- Registered Music Therapist
Winnie is a Registered Music Therapist with a Master of Creative Music Therapy from Western Sydney University. Prior to this, Winnie achieved her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Music and Master of Arts from Oxford University in the UK. As one of the former pianists of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Winnie has over ten years of experience in piano teaching, accompanying, and performing.
A complicated pregnancy followed by years of early intervention work with her autistic child led Winnie to a new journey in music therapy. Understanding the ‘ups and downs' of raising a child with autism and the challenges faced by their families, Winnie is dedicated to supporting children in achieving their potential through an integrative, educational, and family-centred approach. Winnie is passionate about nurturing children's authenticity and self-esteem and enjoys celebrating every milestone - all things big and small - with their loved ones. Winnie also enjoys working in aged care, bringing connection and joy to the Seniors community through music.