Home Page > Our Courses > Postgraduate Courses > Why do Music Therapy at UTS

An interview with Course Coordinator Rosemary Faire:

Q. Firstly what is your background and interest in teaching Music Therapy?

A. My own career in therapy and education has spanned a number of fields which influence my teaching of Music Therapy. My time as a research biologist taught me to value the scientific method as a way of obtaining knowledge, yet I have also come to appreciate its limitations in understanding and enriching human experience in the way the arts can.

My training in Somatic (Body) Psychotherapy showed me that a therapist’s self awareness work and self-care resources are vital equipment, just as important as therapeutic techniques. Because dance, poetry, drawing and stories as well as music have been part of my self expression, I have always seen Music Therapy in the context of all the arts therapies, and recently becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist has allowed me to offer students more possibilities to explore other arts which can broaden their Music Therapy practice.

Q. Why did the course change from a Graduate Diploma to a Masters degree?

A. This is part of an Australia-wide change in the university training of Music Therapists that has been taking place over the last few years.

Q. What are the distinguishing features of this UTS Masters degree?

A. The UTS Music Therapy training has always been eclectic, allowing students to experience the diversity of the field, its variety of models and practices, while developing their individual focus areas through special interest assignments and practicum experience. Two core subjects are taught by Kevin Kellehear from the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health. Guest lecturers are invited from a wide range of specialty areas. The course also encourages the personal development of students as an essential part of becoming empathetic and resilient therapists.

Other arts modalities are integrated into some subjects to broaden the spectrum of options for self care and future work. Because we cater for both music specialists and those who have had careers in other fields such as education or the helping professions, students are supported to bring their own experience into their work and discover their unique form of Music Therapy. We recognise a wide range of musical strengths and provide scope for students to commit to individual skill development programs to catch up weaker areas during their training.

Q. What kind of people are doing the course?

A. Our students entering the course are from many different backgrounds, including teachers, musicians, community workers, and from the nursing and health professions.

Q. When can interested people find out more about the course?

A. We will be holding a Music Therapy Open Class at the UTS Kuring-gai Info Eve, at 7pm Wed 10 Sept 2008. I recommend people come along to see what it is all about and it is also an opportunity for them to talk with me and ask any questions about the course. The Open Class will be partly run by the current students and will feature different structured group improvisations (“jamming”) – visitors are welcome to bring instruments if they would like to join in!