Flute, Accordion or Clarinet?: Using the Characteristics of Our Instruments in Music Therapy

Dawn Loombe is a piano accordionist, accordion teacher and music therapist. She currently works as a music therapist at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge and also in private practice with adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. She has also worked in schools, children's centres and in residential care homes. Dawn performs as both a solo accordionist and with a variety of musicians and vocalists.

Jo Tomlinson has been working as a music therapist in schools in Cambridgeshire, UK, for over 15 years. She was involved in setting up the music therapy service for Cambridgeshire Music in 1995, and was head music therapist from 2001 – 2005.

Amelia Oldfield is a well-known and prestigious music therapist with over 25 years' experience in the field. She works at the Croft Unit for Child and Family Psychiatry and at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrookes. She also lectures at Anglia Polytechnic University, where she co-initiated the MA Music Therapy Training. Amelia has completed four research investigations and a PhD. She has also produced six music therapy training videos. She is married with four children and plays clarinet in local chamber music groups in Cambridge, UK.

Philippa Derrington has been working as a music therapist with young people in mainstream and special school settings in Cambridgeshire for the past 10 years. She is currently involved in a major research investigation evaluating the effects of music therapy for children at risk of exclusion.