Max

Max works with with adults, adolescents, and children spanning a wide range of abilities and therapeutic needs. He specialises in working with adults with profound and multiple disabilities as well as children with autism and other developmental and learning challenges. He provides group and individual sessions for a number of disability services across Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs in both day programs and at group homes. Max also visits family homes and runs sessions from his studio in Belgrave. 

Since graduating in 2014 with first class honours from The University of Melbourne’s Master of Music Therapy program, Max has had the privilege of working with music to help people experience improved quality of life. This ranges from increasing social opportunities for clients to supporting individual development in areas such as communication and mobility.


Max has previously been employed at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne on the adolescent ward, and spent five years with Attuned Music Therapy working in the disability sector with children and adults. 
Max worked with Bop Along Baby for five years, providing early childhood music and development sessions in childcare centres and leading music groups for new parents and babies. 
Over this time, he built a thriving private practice working with adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, and in early intervention for children with autism. 

Max's extensive and ongoing experience in the arts as a performer, composer, producer, band manager and sound designer feed into his therapeutic work, to which he brings skills in the technical and technological elements of music making and a rigorous skill set in managing the logistics of serving a diverse client base.

Now focused on his role as an NDIS provider, Max runs The Hills Music Therapy in his local area of the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds. 

Sarah's professional background spans over 15 years working with children, adolescents and adults with diverse and complex needs, providing a person-centred and strength-based approach to assisting people to reach their individual goals. She has delivered therapeutic support to children and families experiencing trauma and neglect, having previously worked at organisations such as Macaulay Community Services for Women and MacKillop Family Services. 

A recent graduate of the Master of Music Therapy program at the University of Melbourne, Sarah has also completed training in Neurologic Music Therapy at the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in the United States.

Sarah also has extensive experience working in the Community Services sector, particularly with families from diverse multicultural backgrounds. Here, she delivered Parent Child Mother Goose group music sessions focusing on strengthening engagement and attachment capabilities of both parents and children.

With additional experience as a Music Class Facilitator for children with disabilities, particularly children on the autism spectrum, Sarah understands the unique challenges and strengths that may be present for children and their families when living with a disability. She seeks to work alongside children and carer support networks to achieve the best possible outcomes for each individual.

As  an experienced community musician and educator, Cate implemented the  vocal program at Malvern Central Primary School, and is the continuing  Co-Director of Northern Voices Choir, based in Thornbury. Cate developed  interactive Zoom group music sessions 'Song Club'  with the specific  goals to foster parent-child relationships and address the psychosocial  needs caused by the isolating effects of the extended lockdown in  Melbourne.

Cate is a recent graduate of the University of Melbourne, Masters  of Music Therapy, where she gained experience in working in early  intervention, aged care and mental health. Cate has a long history of  working with people across the lifespan, from infants to older adults,  addressing individual needs and working with all abilities.

Within a strengths-based  and client centred framework, Cate works hard to facilitate an increase  in social opportunities for clients, using music to build the capacity  for increased communication and mobility. With both personal and  professional  experience with adult disability and early intervention, Cate strives  for justice and advocacy  when working with clients and families, ensuring their preferences and  voice is heard, and their therapeutic priorities are addressed.