Tiana, a student participating in the program. Image by Joanna Ostaff.
The first group of students from the Adaptive Music Bridging Program, a research program run by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, proudly took to the stage to perform their debut performance.
Led by researcher Dr Anthea Skinner, the program helps children with disabilities develop their musical knowledge and skills using adapted instruments, enabling them to participate in mainstream music programs and ensembles in the future.
The program is scheduled to begin in February 2023 and involves eight students aged between eight and 14. The group meets every Saturday for band practice, with support from a music teacher, engineer and therapist.
As an ethnomusicologist living with a disability, Dr. Skinner has experienced firsthand how disability can pose barriers for potential students who want to become musicians.
Dr Skinner said participation in music required accessible and suitable instruments, expensive technology and the right support and guidance.
“My parents taught me music as a child and I became a musician at an early age,” Dr. Skinner said.
“But I quickly realized I was the only kid with a disability in the school band and that other kids like me were missing out.”
Through their work with Professor Cat McFerran and Associate Professor Grace Thompson, from the School of Arts and Music’s Department of Music Therapy, the team noticed several common themes when musicians with disabilities talked about their paths to educational and professional success.
“We found that the main barrier we repeatedly faced was access to music education and teachers,” Dr. Skinner said.
“And successful musicians don’t pick up an instrument until they get to college, they pick up an instrument at the very beginning, when kids are wondering if they can play an instrument.”
This insight led Dr. Skinner to create the Adaptive Music Bridging program with Dr. Leon de Bruin of the Performance Instruction department.
This program provides a venue for students and their families to try out a variety of instruments and find one that best suits their tastes and interests. Students receive weekly group lessons with high-quality music instruction. They learn how to play an instrument, music literacy, and performance etiquette, preparing them to become young musicians in the mainstream music world.
The talent and diversity of musicians with disabilities was recently celebrated at a special concert, bringing together performers spanning three generations to showcase their talents.