We use Music as Therapy to help develop skills, enjoyment and socialisation

My Background

I have a Bachelor of Social Science Majoring in Human Services Administration and Minoring in Disability Studies. I spent my first 17 career years in the Disability sector, then had a bush change and owned and operated a very successful cafe before completing a Graduate Diploma in Education and teaching as a Specialist Music & Performing Arts Teacher for 10 years. I have taught instrumental classes privately in Piano, Guitar and African drumming for over 25 years and have been a Muso for over 40 years. I am a qualified Drumbeat and Rhythms2Recovery facilitator, and hold a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and am currently completing another Post Graduate qualification, through ECU in Counselling. This music school for children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs is a culmination of combining all of my careers into one place, using Music as Therapy to bring out the best in my client's lives.

Sharing my Passion

I am a strong believer that everyone should be able to foster a love of music, and the benefits of music, especially for people with disabilities is huge. Not only does it allow children and adults to express themselves through music, the way I run my classes is to use lots of fun, games and humour while also teaching the fundamentals of playing instruments and music theory.

Having grown up in a home where my only sibling, my older sister Peta, has Cerebral Palsy and is Deaf, gives me a lived experience of how this affects siblings of children with disabilities. This is why I also run Drumbeat courses for siblings. I also learnt sign language at the same time that I learnt to speak, so the deaf community are welcomed at the studio too. Drumming is especially great for people with hearing impairments, as they can "feel" the music when they use these kind of drums.

My Classes

I offer classes to all ages of clients. I welcome NDIS clients, as Music sessions/classes fit into Capacity Building, Recreation and Social areas of NDIS funding categories.

Classes are held over blocks of 10 weeks, to fit in with the WA School term dates. Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 10 students at any time, so your child, or each adult, gets the attention and most out of their classes. Instrumental classes (piano/keyboard, guitar) will be done on a 1:1 or 1:3 teacher/student ratio at most. The adult singing group can become as big as we want it, providing that support workers from the group homes or individuals come along as well. They can even sing too if they like!

The Classes and Sessions include:

* Mum and Bub Music Bonding groups

* Toddler Music and Movement sessions

* 3-4 Year old Music Fun sessions

*Primary school aged Music Fun sessions as well as Instrumental tuition

*High School aged Music Exploration sessions and Instrumental tuition

*Evening Singing Group Choir for Adults living in Group Homes or just at home!

*Sibling Drumbeat courses

Your Beat Music Headquarters

The studio space for Your Beat Music HQ is a big, bright, airconditioned space located in Bibra Lake. The Studio space is on the ground floor with easy access and disabled toilet facilities. There is also a big mezzanine area which has seating for parents (if their child doesn't need a support person with them) that allows them to view the classes from a great position. There is also a Nespresso machine for tea and coffee making and a small fridge for milk etc.

The studio portion itself is carpeted and has cushions and chairs and LOTS of space for the fun and games that happen here. Ear muffs are provided if your child or adult has sensory issues where loud noises can be a trigger, but they still want to participate and bring music into their lives. Safety measures include a tall gate with a top opening to the stairs going up to the mezzanine and a secure studio space where any of my clients who may be a "runner" will be safe at all times. I highly recommend bringing a support person with your child, if your NDIS funding covers this, because that way each child can get then most out of their session with less chance of distraction.