Ben Edwards

Ben Edwards is a registered music therapist based in Adelaide, SA. Ben completed their Master of Music Therapy in November 2023 with the University of Melbourne. Through this degree, Ben has developed experiences working with various populations with various disorders, disabilities, and at-risk backgrounds. He recently completed an independent placement in which he developed a music therapy program at a disability support unit for children and adults. He has also undertaken music therapy in mental health inpatient units, schools, and community-based settings and regularly supported programs with appropriate allied health and educational team members. These experiences inform Ben’s humanistic, person-centred and strengths-based approach to applying music therapy in the workplace. Ben is particularly passionate about supporting people living with various disabilities and learning difficulties to help them reach their potential as contributing members of their community. Identifying as an Australian male with Autistic lived experiences, Ben is working hard to demonstrate the importance of support and representation of neurodivergent people in the workplace and community.

07/2023 - 09/2023, Student Music Therapist (Project Potential): This role involved developing a new music therapy program, including delivering individual sessions for addressing targeted goals for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities and level 3 ASD and undertaking assessment and evaluation processes to monitor the progress of these goals.

02/2023 - 05/2023, Student Music Therapist (Glenside Health Services):  This role involved working within an inpatient unit in providing specialised rehabilitation programs for adults diagnosed with complex and chronic mental health conditions. Individual therapy was person-centred, grounded in a trauma-informed framework and integrated with the interdisciplinary allied health team.

08/2022 - 10/2022, Student Music Therapist (Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre):  The role involved providing individual music therapy services at a youth education centre for previously convicted and incarcerated at-risk adolescents as part of a community rehabilitation program.

07/2021 - Present, Private Instrumental Teacher: This role has involved managing a private business of delivering instrumental face-to-face lessons in students’ homes tailored based on their age and musical interests, building positive relationships to meet their learning goals, and corresponding with relevant parents/guardians regarding their child's learning progress.

03/2018 - Present, Freelance Musician (Solo Guitarist/Vocalist, Acoustic Duo): This role has involved performing musical repertoire consisting of popular covers and original songs and corresponding with venue management staff in tailoring setlists to different audiences and events. Building positive relationships with these venues has led to successful regular business.

02/2017 - 06/2021, Pre-service Teacher (Bachelor of Secondary Teaching, University of Adelaide): This role involved undertaking teaching placements in various schools around Adelaide and Rural South Australia, requiring the development of lesson plans and resources for school students and their individual learning plans (ILP). This role further required corresponding with relevant teaching staff on students’ learning progress and sometimes assisting them in their classroom lessons.

02/2017 - 12/2020, Student Mentor (Mercedes College, Springfield, SA): This role involved developing a positive and trusting relationship with a student one lesson per week in assisting them in their academic assignments in collaboration with their classroom teacher.

10/2020 - 12/2020, Volunteer Student Music Teacher (St Johns Grammar, Belair, SA): This role involved assisting and collaborating with multiple secondary performing arts teachers in providing drama and music ensemble lessons to classroom students.

01/2018 - 01/2020, Edmund Rice Camp Leader (Rostrevor College, Woodforde, SA): This role involved working within a small group of leaders to organise camp activities for at-risk children. This role further required the completion of Child Protection Training and reporting any incidences or concerns of the children to the Coordinator where necessary.

• National Police Certificate
• HLTAID004 - Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting
• HLTAID003 - Provide first aid
• HLTAID002 - Provide basic emergency life support
• HLTAID001 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• CELTA certificate
• RAN certificate
• Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum
• WWCC certificate

Amy Rowe (Coordinator, Project Potential)

P: 0452 582 166

E: amy@rowetel.com

Rowan Harding (Registered Music Therapist, Creative Therapy Adelaide)

P: 0435 898 323

E: rowan@creativetherapyadelaide.com.au

Tara Force (Registered Music Therapist)

P: 0431 897 669

E: forcetara@gmail.com