As we celebrate 50 years of AMTA, this PechaKucha presentation offers a deeply human and reflective narrative that embodies the theme “Orchestrating Impact and Innovation.” Through the legacy-focused music therapy journey of Ginette — a 65-year-old neurodivergent woman — this presentation explores how music can shape meaning, identity, and connection across the lifespan.

The story begins in Ginette’s early twenties: a quiet moment, plucking her guitar alone, unaware she was composing the first notes of what would later become her personal anthem. Forty years on, that same song has transformed into a powerful legacy piece — an anchor of inner peace and connection during her later-life reflections. Through improvisation, sound exploration, and co-creation, Ginette shaped a work that spoke to her essence.

What began as a one-to-one therapeutic process grew into a community-oriented collaboration, involving local musicians who supported Ginette in realising her musical vision. Their contributions — gently improvised guitar melodies, layered harmonies, and shared studio moments — elevated the work beyond therapy. The saxophone and double bass also became integral parts of the piece, giving voice to Ginette’s most vulnerable parts — amplifying them in ways she could hold authentically and safely. The music became a container for something deeper — an essence shaped not only by Ginette, but by those who held her vision alongside her. Together, the collaboration shaped something fuller, more resonant — a legacy not just heard, but felt.

This presentation highlights how legacy work invites us to slow down, to listen deeply, and to honour the lived experiences of neurodivergent adults. With a short excerpt from Ginette’s legacy recording, it demonstrates how music therapists can co-create not only songs but significance — positioning legacy work as both reflective and future-focused, grounded in dignity, identity, and relational impact.