Music Therapists’ Lived Experience as a Radical Resource

Moving Beyond Traditional Views on Divergent Bodies and Minds

Authors

  • Brede Davis Contemporary Cognition, Narrm/Melbourne, Australia
  • Zoë Kalenderidis Kaleidoscope Music Therapy, Narrm/Melbourne, Australia
  • Grace Thompson The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7501-5325
  • Carolyn Shaw Te Kōkī, New Zealand School of Music, Te Herenga Waka,Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.4216

Keywords:

disability, lived experience, ableism, music therapy, advocacy

Abstract

Within this two-part multimedia publication, music therapists from Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand present and consider a composite character’s experiences of ableism in music therapy study and practice, drawing from current literature and their lived experiences of disability, neurodivergence, and chronic health conditions. Mainstream healthcare approaches have traditionally prioritised amending perceived deficits. Many contemporary approaches shift focus to supporting individuals to access their full potential by utilising personal strengths and resources. Despite this shift, the options considered viable within this “full potential” still seem influenced by ableist assumptions embedded in healthcare literature, professional registration requirements, and wider societal systems and structures. Cumulatively, these assumptions position disabled identities and experiences as inherently incompatible with those of healthcare professionals. Beyond perpetuating disempowering narratives, this compromises the inclusivity and future potential of music therapy as a discipline and profession. Disabled clinicians are uniquely positioned to identify the aspects of clinical practice and study that disproportionately disadvantage disabled people, as well as options for circumventing or dismantling these barriers. Expertise developed through both receiving and facilitating professional healthcare services as a disabled person can also enhance participant experiences by informing the development and provision of more inclusive and relevant therapeutic frameworks.

Author Biographies

Brede Davis, Contemporary Cognition, Narrm/Melbourne, Australia

Brede Davis (she/they), RMT, is an early career Registered Music Therapist, working predominantly in disability contexts with young people. Brede’s lived/living experiences of multiple health conditions informs their therapeutic work, volunteering, and broader socialadvocacy. Brede has presented at national and international conferences, and was recognised as a finalist in two categories at the 2023 Allied Health Awards (Australia). Published works include a co-authored article in Music Therapy Perspectives and a reflective case study in “Working Relationally with Young People.” Brede intends for her work to contribute to the ongoing development of collaborative and creative approaches that expand the boundaries of healthcare and accessibility.

Zoë Kalenderidis, Kaleidoscope Music Therapy, Narrm/Melbourne, Australia

Zoë Kalenderidis (she/her), RMT, is a disabled and hard of hearing musician and Registered Music Therapist whose work focuses on promoting wellbeing and equitable access to music within the disability community. She performs with the all-disabled band Bearbrass Asylum Orchestra and leads the Foundation groups in the Melbourne Youth Orchestra’s Adaptive Music Bridging Program, for children with disability who face barriers to music participation

Grace Thompson, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Grace Thompson, PhD, RMT, is a registered music therapist and Associate Professor in Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne. Grace has lived experience of disability, and has worked with disabled children and young people, and their families, for over 20 years within the early childhood and special education sectors. Her research focuses on understanding how accessible music making can foster relationships and social connection. She is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy.

Carolyn Shaw, Te Kōkī, New Zealand School of Music, Te Herenga Waka,Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand

Carolyn Shaw (she/her), PhD, NZ-RMTh, is a New Zealand Registered Music Therapist, supervisor, disability advocate, and lecturer at Te Kōkī–the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington. Since graduating in 2007, she has worked predominantly with children, adolescence, and their families across multiple areas of practice. Carolyn is passionate about disability advocacy and in addressing ableism through her writing, research and practice. Her PhD study developed “Post Ableist Music Therapy” to help make this a central focus in her work. Carolyn has been involved in Music Therapy New Zealand council, and the standards of practice working party NZ.

Author photo, 4216 Davis et al.

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Published

2025-07-01

How to Cite

Davis, B., Kalenderidis, Z., Thompson, G., & Shaw, C. (2025). Music Therapists’ Lived Experience as a Radical Resource: Moving Beyond Traditional Views on Divergent Bodies and Minds. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.4216

Issue

Section

Stories