Hi! My name is Jess, and this year I’ve joined the team at Central Queensland Music Therapy (CQMT).
I grew up in Gladstone, and have always been passionate about music, getting involved in and outside of school. I took piano lessons from the age of 9 and performed in the Eisteddfod a few times. When I started high school, my piano teacher offered me a job teaching beginner students, which I did for 6 years and loved. My high school, Toolooa SHS, also held an annual talent competition, which I entered each year, singing and/or playing guitar. In grade 11 I won the first prize which boosted my confidence to do more with music. I was school captain and graduated year 12 in 2017 before moving to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music).
Towards the end of my Bachelor’s degree in 2021, I wasn’t sure what job I wanted, or could get, once I graduated. I worked as a barista and waitress during uni, which I really enjoyed. A customer at the café told me about music therapy. I’d never heard about it before but when I researched what it was, I knew straight away that it was my dream job. Unfortunately, the course was no longer offered in Brisbane, so I moved to Sydney to continue my studies.
I completed the two-year Master of Creative Music Therapy degree in 2023. Once again, I worked as a barista while I studied, at a café on my uni campus. This allowed me to settle into my campus quite quickly despite this course being much shorter than the last. I enjoyed learning about music therapy and loved my practical placements, especially the one in a mental health ward at a hospital on the Gold Coast, and working alongside psychologists and social workers at a trauma-centred psychology clinic. At the end of this degree, I was offered a great job in a music therapy clinic in Sydney, so I stayed for one more year.
During 2024, I gained experience working with people of various ages, support needs and backgrounds, in a range of settings including the music therapy clinic, as well as out-of-clinic visits to childcare centres, group disability homes, community centres and aged care facilities.
Now, back in my hometown, I am excited to be working alongside Eliza as a registered music therapist, as well as continuing to oversee the website and social media platforms for CQMT.
In addition to being passionate about my job, some of my favourite things include coffee, plants, and dogs (I was very excited to move back in with my family because they have a dog – I haven’t been able to have pets since I’ve been renting for the last 7 years).
I’m looking forward to meeting my clients, getting to know them and their families, and supporting them to achieve their goals in a fun and motivating way through music.
Written by Jess Rose, 27/01/2025
Central Queensland Music Therapy 