Registered Music Therapist
AMTA Registered Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist,
Master of Creative Music Therapy, Bachelor of Music (Jazz Perf)
Pete McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz piano performance, receiving the Student of the Year award. After returning to study and completing his Masters of Creative Music Therapy, as well as training in Neurologic Music Therapy, he now focuses primarily on clinical work. This includes working with adults with disability and mental health challenges, clients with dementia, as well as children across a broad range of populations. 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 Anglicare Retirement Villages, Hammondcare, and Catholic Healthcare facilities. 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. This project researched the effect engagement in community-based arts programmes had on the physical and mental health of participants.
He also featured on the 2019 ABC Catalyst TV episode “Healthy Ageing”, which looked into research on how socialisation through music participation can impact the brain.
Pete is also a guest lecturer for the Masters of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University.
