Enabling learning through the power of music
About
Resilient Rhythms co-founders Louise and Karen are practicing Health Care Professions Council Registered Music Therapists. They bring a combined experience of over 50 years’ working with children and young people across the education sector.
Music in schools can “empower children to believe in, celebrate and enjoy their inherent abilities“.
(Graeme Barclay, Times Educational Supplement)
Recognising that children learn in different ways they passionately believe in the magic of music to enable children to grow and access the curriculum. Having seen the increasing need for creative ideas in schools to help children who may have additional educational needs Resilient Rhythms offers training for staff and workshops for children.
Meet the team
Louise Kelly
Bio
Louise Kelly is co-founder of Resilient Rhythms and has been a practicing Music Therapist for 20 years, working in a variety of settings including nursery, primary schools, summer camps, community groups and home visits.
Louise holds a Diploma in Music Therapy (Dip. M.Th) from Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge. Her undergraduate degree is in Music and Sociology (BA Comb Hons Degree).
In addition to her music therapy work, Louise is a counsellor for children and adolescents and is continually active in the promotion and development of Mental and Emotional Health by volunteering as a dual counsellor for the NSPCC Childline service.
She is the co-founder and co-facilitator of a School Resilience Program, provides bespoke training programs for teachers and support staff on Therapeutic Music Making as well as presenting on numerous Music and Mindfulness Webinars for corporate companies. Louise has completed the Rhythm to Recovery Drumming training which informs her approach with children and young people.
Karen Diamond
Bio
Karen Diamond is co-founder of Resilient Rhythms and has been a music therapist for 30 years working extensively with children in early years, nursery and primary schools in mainstream and special education settings.
Karen holds, a Diploma in Music Therapy (Dip. M.Th) from Guildhall School of Music & Drama London, and a Masters in Music Therapy (M.M.Th) from Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge. Her undergraduate degree is in Music (B.Mus Hons) from Queen’s University Belfast and she holds a Diploma in Vocal Performance from Trinity College London.
In addition to her clinical work Karen is an Associate Lecturer on the Master’s in Education course at St Mary’s University College Belfast and has lectured on various Music Therapy Training courses. Karen established the first Music Therapy service in interface nursery and primary schools in Northern Ireland and has written and presented on this innovative and ground-breaking approach in education. She has been responsible for the design and clinical management of the largest global trial ever carried out with children and young people and is a learning support co-ordinator and creative therapist with the Middletown Centre for Autism.
Karen has extensive experience facilitating workshops for children and young people, training sessions and lectures for teachers, education and health professionals. She has a reputation for being an inspiring and engaging presenter who enables participants to feel comfortable and confident using music. Her vision is to inspire and enable children, young people and professionals to experience and benefit from the power of music.
Staff Training (Nursery/Primary)
Making room for creativity while meeting the needs of the curriculum is a challenge however, music has been scientifically proven to enable children to learn.
Resilient Rhythms’ approach is informed by child centred theories and recent research.
Recognising that not all staff feel confident using music if it is not their specialism Resilient Rhythms training activities will equip all staff to confidently integrate music more fully into their everyday practice supporting:
- RCognitive Skills
- RCreativity & Fun
- REmotional Regulation
- RInteraction And Play Skills
- RLanguage & Communication Skills
- RPhysical & Proprioceptive Movement
Staff Training
One day staff training session
Resilient Rhythm workshops include a blend of theoretical and experiential learning for staff as they discover their role in supporting children and young people using music.
The aim of the session is to help nursery/primary teachers and staff understand how various music and mindfulness techniques can increase an individuals’ capacity for learning and for coping in the school environment.
Teachers and staff are introduced to each element of the Resilient Rhythms programme, and they are provided with practical strategies and resources for implementation in their own educational setting.
For children
Music workshops for Primary School children
Music minors
Resilient Rhythms will come to your school and facilitate three 50 minute sessions during the day. These sessions are open to pupils in classes from P1- P7/Junior Infants-6th Class. The activities are adapted to be age appropriate for each year group and include:
- RPurposeful breathing
- RProprioceptive movement (action songs)
- RExpressive and creative use of voice (chants, singing)
- RBody Mind connection (body percussion)
- REmotional Regulation (grounding)
Creative composers
Resilient Rhythms will come to your school and facilitate a half-day session for one class. This session is open to P4 – P7/ 4th class-6th class pupils and the activities will combine emotional regulation and body mind connection leading on to pupils creating:
- RA song
- RA piece of music
- RTheir own art and/or movement piece
- RIdentifying what they can use for relaxation
Empowered ensembles
Resilient Rhythms will come to your school and facilitate a half-day session for P7/6th Class pupils. This is a challenging year for pupils as they participate in assessments, prepare to change schools and are developing emotionally and physically. Empowered Ensembles sessions use music to explore, recognise and address anxiety through purposeful breathing, emotional regulation and positive self-talk.
If you would like to hear more, please contact us: hello@resilientrhythms.co.uk
Songs & musical stories encourage:
Children with additional needs
Sometimes it is difficult to think of or find resources which are fun and accessible for children with additional needs. We endeavour to make music accessible to all children so that they can have fun and participate too. We have created songs and musical stories which have been successfully used with children with moderate learning difficulties and those which speech and language delay.
Who we've worked with
Testimonials
Get in touch
Please use the form below if you are interested in any of our services:
Location
Belfast Northern Ireland
Opening Hours
M-F: 8am – 6pm, S-S, 9am – 1pm