Online project at Coffs Harbour hits the right note
Oct 14, 2020Arts Mid North Coast has launched the Musicians in Health project – offering online music programs to seniors and carers support networks on the Coffs Coast.
‘Musicians In Health’ (previously Musicians in Hospitals) is part of Arts Mid North Coast’s commitment and continuing work in the area of Arts, Health and Wellbeing. The original pilot program trained local musicians to deliver musical experiences at Coffs Harbour Health Campus over a six-month period, in collaboration with staff at the Mid North Coast Local Health District and local Registered Music Therapist Bonnie Nilsson.
When COVID-19 health regulations came into place, project leader and facilitator Stephanie Sims had to quickly find an innovative solution to continue the program in accordance with the new physical distancing guidelines.
“Our newly trained musicians were ready to deliver live music in Coffs Harbour Health Campus as part of our Musicians in Hospitals program, then found themselves without a place to perform”, Stephanie said.
“Thanks to a grant from Coffs Harbour City Council, we were able to reimagine the project and bring it ‘online’ via Zoom.
“As well as being a lot of fun, these sessions have also been designed with therapeutic outcomes in mind,” said Bonnie Nilsson.
“There’s a myriad of research to support music as a vital component of healthy ageing, and the best part is you don’t have to be a trained musician to obtain the health benefits that come with either singing, listening to or making music”.
The online Zoom program started 14 September with classes three days a week. Local musicians Bonnie Nilsson, Stephanie Sims, Michelle Booth, Giri Mazzella, Hayley Egan, Salvatore Rossano and Snez Dalceska bring the online program to life.
The program is free and open to anyone in the Coffs Harbour electorate. Participants can come to as many sessions as they choose.
Email: stephanie@ukoono.com.au or call 0421 346 713 to obtain the full program and zoom link to each session.
Musicians in Health is supported by Arts Mid North Coast, Mid North Coast Local Area Health District and Coffs Harbour City Council.