Music Therapy
When Caroline Dunn straps on her guitar and sings, you can imagine her on stage at Tamworth.
However, the Burnie Performer will not pursue a career on stage. The only audiences Miss Dunn, 24, wants to play to are those she works with as a Music Therapist.
"I really love my work and have absolutely no desire to be a commercial performer." "I know most musicians have an aspiration to be famous, but for me the joy is in seeing people come alive when music is their therapy."
"I really love my work and have absolutely no desire to be a commercial performer." "I know most musicians have an aspiration to be famous, but for me the joy is in seeing people come alive when music is their therapy."
Miss Dunn is one of just six music therapists in Tasmania and works with babies through to elderly dementia patients. "Music therapy can improve social interaction and behaviour, motor functioning, communication, attention and educational abilities."
Miss Dunn, who has been playing the guitar since age seven, decided on the unusual career when she was in year 11 and torn between two options. Whether to study music or
psychology at university.
Although it meant leaving the North-West, Miss Dunn moved
to Melbourne to gain a bachelor of music specialising in therapy.
But she returned and now provides music therapy in aged-care
facilities, Multicap's centres and Burnie's North west School of
Special Education.
"Performers entertain people, but as a music therapist you help
people," Miss Dunn said. "And there is nothing more amazing
than hearing people sing when they no longer speak."
Extract from Sunday Tasmanian Gill Vowles August 12th 2007.
psychology at university.
Although it meant leaving the North-West, Miss Dunn moved
to Melbourne to gain a bachelor of music specialising in therapy.
But she returned and now provides music therapy in aged-care
facilities, Multicap's centres and Burnie's North west School of
Special Education.
"Performers entertain people, but as a music therapist you help
people," Miss Dunn said. "And there is nothing more amazing
than hearing people sing when they no longer speak."
Extract from Sunday Tasmanian Gill Vowles August 12th 2007.
