Sing & Say: Co-creating GAP Verb Songs for Collaborative Communication Goals
Tracks
Stream One
| Sunday, October 19, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Meeting Place 1&2 |
Overview
Jacinta Calabro, Christie Cula-Reid, Hilary Baxter and Dr Ajay Castelino
Speaker
Jacinta Calabro
Director
Music Therapy Online
Sing & Say: Co-creating GAP Verb Songs for Collaborative Communication Goals
Abstract
In an evolving healthcare landscape, music therapists are increasingly called upon to diversify and collaborate across disciplines and demonstrate the unique and essential value of our work.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about a collaborative project between a music therapy team and speech pathologist which focusses on enhancing communication outcomes for young children with language delay.
Focusing on practical outcomes this partnership has committed to the creation of useful clinical resources which can be implemented by all allied health. Our growing collection of original "gap verb" songs is our first product together.
GAP (general all-purpose) verbs are commonly used action words such as "go," "do," "come," "up," "see," and "want." These verbs are crucial building blocks for expressive language and allow children to easily communicate a wide range of needs with a limited vocabulary. The songs developed in this project are designed to support the learning and functional use of these verbs in early childhood allied health contexts.
In line with the conference theme, this session will highlight the power of creative, person-centred collaboration to advocate meaningfully for music therapy's role in interdisciplinary care. Participants will be invited to engage in experiential group work to co-write their own gap verb songs, contributing to a shared resource that will be shared with all participants.
By combining clinical insight, ethical practice, and creative expression, this workshop offers a model for how music therapists can develop inclusive partnerships while remaining responsive to the needs of those we serve.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about a collaborative project between a music therapy team and speech pathologist which focusses on enhancing communication outcomes for young children with language delay.
Focusing on practical outcomes this partnership has committed to the creation of useful clinical resources which can be implemented by all allied health. Our growing collection of original "gap verb" songs is our first product together.
GAP (general all-purpose) verbs are commonly used action words such as "go," "do," "come," "up," "see," and "want." These verbs are crucial building blocks for expressive language and allow children to easily communicate a wide range of needs with a limited vocabulary. The songs developed in this project are designed to support the learning and functional use of these verbs in early childhood allied health contexts.
In line with the conference theme, this session will highlight the power of creative, person-centred collaboration to advocate meaningfully for music therapy's role in interdisciplinary care. Participants will be invited to engage in experiential group work to co-write their own gap verb songs, contributing to a shared resource that will be shared with all participants.
By combining clinical insight, ethical practice, and creative expression, this workshop offers a model for how music therapists can develop inclusive partnerships while remaining responsive to the needs of those we serve.
Biography
Dr Ajay Castelino
RMT
Feel Better Music Therapy
Sing & Say: Co-creating GAP Verb Songs for Collaborative Communication Goals
Biography
Dr Ajay Castelino is a senior clinician and academic with over 18 years of experience as a music therapist in the fields of dementia and disability. He was the Clinical Trial Manager on the MATCH-H Project at the University of Melbourne.
Hilary Baxter
RMT
TLC Music Therapy
Sing & Say: Co-creating GAP Verb Songs for Collaborative Communication Goals
Biography
Hilary Baxter is a registered music therapist based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. She provides individual and group sessions for clients of all ages, primarily with neurodiverse individuals and those with disabilities. Hilary is passionate about supporting participants’ development, mental health, and community engagement through creative and client-centred music therapy.
Christie Cula-Reid
RMT
TlCTLC Music & Sounding Board MT
Sing & Say: Co-creating GAP Verb Songs for Collaborative Communication Goals
Biography
Christie Cula-Reid is a Melbourne-based Registered Music Therapist with 17 years’ experience. She specialises in group music-making, choir leading, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Christie has presented nationally and internationally and currently works with TLC Music Therapy and SBMT. Her work focuses on inclusive practice, creative expression, and early childhood communication support.
