Melbourne Recital Centre Launches Music Workshops For Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing

The Melbourne Recital Centre has just launched a brand-new workshop, Sound Vibrations, for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

For the project, the Melbourne Recital Centre has joined forces with the Aurora School for the Deaf, which provides home-based early intervention programs across Victoria, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and Artistic Director Karen Kyriakou to support children in creating and playing their own music.

Sound Vibrations workshops offer a “purpose-built, interactive and creative musical learning environment” that’s been carefully tailored and curated for children living with hearing loss. Accessibility is at the forefront of the program.

ANAM members showcase different orchestral instruments to the children, including violins and xylophones. The new workshops have just been made available to four-year-old kindergarten students, opening an encouraging pathway for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as their families.

Discussing the program with The Music, the Melbourne Recital Centre Learning and Access Manager, Belinda Ashe, commented that the inspiration for the Sound Vibrations workshops highlights “the power of music education and participation” for young children in their early development.

Ashe is determined to ensure that children who are Deaf or hard of hearing aren’t excluded from experiences they might want to have.

“Studies have shown time and time again that engaging in musical activities at a young age can enhance cognitive skills and improve memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities,” Ashe continued.

“For too long, children who are Deaf or hard of hearing have been locked out of these opportunities without access to a dedicated program that allows them to experience and participate in music. Being able to work with Artistic Director Karen Kyriakou to deliver such an impactful program is one of the highlights of my year.”

In a press release, Aurora School for the Deaf Assistant Principal Melinda Slocombe added, “The children thoroughly enjoyed their time at Sound Vibrations. The team has put together a lovely program that captured the attention of the children from the moment we entered the space and kept them engaged throughout the entire session.

“We had the opportunity to listen and explore classical instruments, follow patterns to create our own music and dance moves. The students are already excited for their next workshop.”

The next Sound Vibrations workshops will take place in the Primrose Potter Salon at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday, 7 May. To learn more about the programs, visit the Sound Vibrations website.