About

AMTA Registered Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist, Master of Creative Music Therapy, Bachelor of Music (Jazz Perf)

In brief

Pete McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz piano performance, receiving the Student of the Year award, and spent a long time practicing, gigging, teaching, recording, composing, and other music related activities aiming to pay off a mortgage and get two kids through school (more information below).

After returning to study and completing his Masters of Music Therapy, as well as training in Neurologic Music Therapy, he now focuses on clinical work (along with the occasional gig). This includes working with children with special needs, adults with disability and clients with dementia. One of Pete's many strengths is his ability to connect with clients in a fun and engaging way to help them achieve their goals.

His Music Therapy work with older adults has included weekly visits to facilities owned by Anglicare Retirement Villages, Hammondcare, Catholic Healthcare and Heritage Care. He was part of the initial launch of Hammondcare's "Arts on Prescription" project, funded by the Australian Government with research performed by the University of NSW. He also featured on the ABC Catalyst TV episode "Healthy Ageing", which looked into research on how socialisation can impact the brain.

His work with children with special needs has included providing music therapy services for Sound Expression, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, KU Children's Services, Hebersham Public School (Autism unit), Giant Steps, The Ponds School, and Tallowood School.

Pete is also a guest lecturer for the Masters of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University.

Performance and composition summary

  • Performed at many festivals, events and venues including the Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival, The Basement, The Emirates Black and White Ball, The Merimbula Jazz Festival.
  • Shortlisted finalist in the APRA Professional Development Awards, Jazz category, in 2011.
  • 2 CD releases of original compositions (2006, 2010).

    • Recent Posts

    February 10

    New songs for Music Therapy, Volume 1

    A collection of 8 new songs written to help achieve various goals within Music Therapy sessions, Education settings AND at home by parents / carers.

    August 26

    ABC Catalyst program

    The August 2019 ABC Catalyst episode looking at healthy ageing and how socialisation can impact on the brain. I was hired by the ABC to run a 6-week Music Therapy program for this episode.

    July 1

    Hammondcare's Arts on Prescription program

    The official video produced by Hammondcare about their Australian-government funded Arts on Prescription project. The project encouraged people over 65 to get a prescription from their allied-health professional to attend a fully-funded 10-week arts project, and was backed by research from the University of New South Wales.

    July 1

    Songwriting with a client

    This video from Sound Expression's Awesome Achievement series, presents a finished composition, co-written and recorded with the client.

    Spotlight

    What is Music Therapy?

    A brief overview

    Music therapy is a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing.

    Music therapy has been recognised by the NDIS for inclusion in funded support plans under the support cluster of Therapeutic Supports - provided to assist the participant to apply their functional skills to improve participation and independence in daily, practical activities in areas such as language and communication, personal care, mobility and movement, interpersonal interactions and community living.