For the past 17 of the 22 years, Meagan Hunt has been a music therapist, worked with vulnerable young people specialising in group work, program development and leadership. Meagan is passionate about the use of music and creativity to assist young people to find their full potential. She believes all young people should have equal access to music opportunities and skills development. Meagan first heard about Aardvark in 2008 from the father of a patient she was working with. Meagan then met Founders Sarah Summers and Bel Harper and was hooked. She wanted to be involved from then on.
Now, more than ever, vulnerable young people need a place to feel safe and connected as the full impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on mental health becomes evident. Our young people at Aardvark Music have been greatly affected. The lack of face-to-face connection with our team and their fellow crew members, and reduced opportunities to actively join the music industry, has had a significant impact on their wellbeing. So, this May we are raising money for our organisation so that we can continue to do the incredible work that we do to support young people. Founded in 2007, by a group of Melbourne musicians and music therapists, Aardvark Music is a Melbourne based not for profit organisation that provides song-writing and music opportunities for young people aged between 14 and 24 who have a passion or talent for music. Music therapists, musicians and youth mentors work with young people to write, record and perform original music together in groups while creating a community to stay connected to. Aardvarkians (the program participants) are young people, experiencing adversity due to chronic illness, mental health challenges, unstable homes live or experiencing acute personal adversity.
CEO Meagan Hunt, who is a music therapist, said, “Aardvark Music was initiated to fill an identified need for young people who were musical, had a need to connect with a like-minded community and share their stories, but were often unable to access mainstream music opportunities. Aardvark Music sits within the music and health industries and programs combine the expertise of performing musicians and music therapists, who co-facilitate to offer a dual focus on music skills and personal development.” “We love seeing how creating beautiful music together in a safe and supportive place can allow the confidence of our Aardvarkians to grow and thrive.” “Our current fundraising appeal is up and running online. As little as $20 - gives a young person access to transport to attend an Aardvark Music session in person while $500 gives one young person a chance to be part of a recording session in a professional music studio, and $10,000 provides the funds for Aardvark Music to employ youth support roles within our programs to work closely and support participants through the process. We don’t ask for help very often but right now it’s important that we do so we can continue to do the incredible work that we are doing. AARDVARK MUSIC FUNDRAISING APPEAL 2021 www.aardvarkmusic.org www.givenow.com.au/aardvarkmusicappeal
Aardvark Music is a Melbourne based not for profit organisation that provides song-writing and music opportunities for young people aged between 14 and 24 who have a passion or talent for music. Music therapists, musicians and youth mentors work with young people to write, record and perform original music together in groups while creating a community to stay connected to.
Aardvarkians (the program participants) are young people, experiencing adversity due to chronic illness, mental health challenges, unstable homes lives or experiencing acute personal adversity. Participants are referred to Aardvark from a range of youth support services, who have identified in them a passion and aptitude for musical connection with others.
Aardvark Music was designed to fill an identified need for young people who were musical, had a need to connect with a like-minded community and share their stories, but were often unable to access mainstream music opportunities. Aardvark Music sits within the music and health industries and programs combine the expertise of performing musicians and music therapists, who co-facilitate to offer a dual focus on music skills and personal development.