Using Music

As we near the end of 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year that’s been and wish you and those you love a wonderful festive season.

It’s been a challenging year for our Victorian early childhood sector. Our work with educators and providers to prioritise child safety, connection and wellbeing has been more important than ever.

Highlights from Using Music this year have been:
- We have continued to partner with educators and teachers in-person across Victorian kindergarten services
- I was awarded the Australian Music Therapy Association’s Ruth Bright Clinical Excellence Award
- Dr Meg Steele has led a Program Evaluation for our 3 SRF programs
- We have successfully moved and enjoyed our first year in our HQ in Mentone

A special thank you to everyone who participated in our Program Evaluation with Meg.

The evaluation found that our Using Music programs enhance Educator confidence and capacity through mentoring, hands-on experiences, and simple, fun musical activities that effectively engage children.

Music has been able to be naturally incorporated into daily routines, promoted inclusion, communication, and supported children’s holistic development.

And importantly, the programs have fostered staff wellbeing and team cohesion. The evaluation showed that the programs are a joyful, low-barrier model of inclusive, high-impact professional learning.

It is an honour to partner with you and support professional learning and reflection to meet your learning and child development goals.

We have loved hearing from past, current and new kindergarten services who would like to work with us through their SRF in 2026. Please reach out if you are planning on working with us so we can save space.

I look forward to slowing the pace over Summer and continuing to offer capacity-building learning and ideas for using music for you, and the children you teach and care for in the new year.

Warm wishes,
Pip

Image: Galy our 10 month old pup minding Santa's chair at Studley Park Boathouse

Happy Birthday to Meg!

Using Music is beyond grateful to have Dr Meg as our Research and Development Partner.

But I'm even more grateful for 20 years with Meg as my peer, colleague, mentor and friend.

Have a wonderful birthday Meg!

Pip x