This article is from page 8 of the 2013-03-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
TOMMY Hayes has been at the forefront of traditional lrish music for more than three decades, and now the popular percussionist is leading the way in music therapy.
The founding member of Stockton’s Wing is not only working in the field of music therapy but he is also a special guest lecturer at the MA Music Therapy Programme in the Irish World Academy University of Limerick.
This is the first programme of its kind in Ireland and the only degree in the country leading to a professional qualification in music therapy.
Now the Clare composer and musician is working almost full time as a music therapist in carious settings including medical and educational.
He works as a freelance music therapist with a number of clients on a private basis and has extensive experience of working in the areas of autism, mental health, physical disability and adolescence and has a particular interest in guided imagery and music practice.
Tommy also supervises trainee therapists in the Limerick and Clare areas.
He qualified as a
music therapist in
2002 having com
pleted the MA Mu
sic Therapy pro
gramme.
Qualified music
therapists use the
unique character
istics of music in
musical interaction
to support people
who have additional
needs because of
medical, psychologi
cal, physical or emo
tional issues.
The course requires
a high level of music
skill on entry.
Experience in paid or volunteer work with people who have a disability or experience some sort of social disadvantage/exclusion is required.