Global trek for job interview pays off

News release
May 09 , 2007

Global trek for job interview pays off

Would you fly 18,000 kms for a 20-minute job interview? Marie Bagley did.

And happily she got the job as one of two new music therapists at The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust in Auckland.

The trust runs a centre in the Auckland inner suburb of Newton providing music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger. It is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre.

Marie Bagley joins Alison Cooper at the centre. Both are from the U.K. and come to their new jobs via vastly different routes.

Marie has a Bachelor Degree in Music from The University of Manchester and a Post Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

While researching employment in London she saw an advertisement for a New Zealand job which would give her the opportunity to work full time with children with special needs.

“It really was my perfect job so I took the bull by the horns, hopped on a plane and flew half way round the world for a 20 minute interview,” Marie says. “As soon as I landed in Auckland I knew I’d made the right decision.”

The trust had advertised for two staff, Marie’s full time role and a second part time therapist as part of the centre’s outreach programme in schools.

Alison Cooper is a former primary school teacher who came to New Zealand from the UK in 1998. Last year Alison completed her Master of Music Therapy degree at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington and is now working part time for The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.

Alison’s ‘beat’ involves running music therapy programmes at Carlson School in Three Kings for children with cerebral palsy and a satellite class at Oranga School.

Alison moved into music therapy from teaching because it provided her with new and different ways of engaging with people.

“Every day is different and I’ve enjoyed improving my engagement skills and learning to be flexible to whatever is the response from the student,” she says.

“A big plus for me is being able to work with other music therapists as often you can work in isolation. My new job is very fulfilling with an organisation that is at the forefront of music therapy in New Zealand.”

Likewise Marie Bagley is relishing a role that is at the vanguard of music therapy in New Zealand.

“I love the involvement with the entire family of our clients, our team and the child. Working with parents to get their input helps us to formulate sessions that are going to help the child the most.

“And I love the idea of being involved in something that is so new and so personally fulfilling,” Marie says.

The advertised positions proved popular attracting 17 applicants from the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand. But only one applicant flew half way round the world for an interview.

About the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
Music therapy helps build bridges of communication with physically and intellectually disabled children, assisting them to develop new skills and reducing their sense of isolation. Work at the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre is based on the internationally-acclaimed Nordoff-Robbins approach emphasising improvisation and other creative techniques.

Located in the inner Auckland suburb of Newton, the centre is the brainchild of a dedicated group of local music industry people, including Hinewehi Mohi. Patrons are Hayley Westenra and Boh Runga.

The centre has received funding and support from a number of organisations including the Lion Foundation, music industry groups RIANZ and APRA, the New Zealand Centre for Music Therapy and numerous private donations. For further information on the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre please visit www.rmtc.org.nz

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