The room does not feel like a typical therapy space. A guitar leans against the wall, baskets of percussion instruments sit on the floor and a piano waits in the corner.
It is the new home of The Nest, a dedicated paediatric music therapy space opened by Nelson music therapist Emma Matthews at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA).
Emma is one of only two registered music therapists in the region. After 16 years in the profession, she works with children aged two to 21 who have diverse needs, using music to support communication, emotional regulation, social connection and everyday life skills.
Many of the children she works with are referred through paediatric hospital services, early childhood services via the Ministry of Education, or directly by families.
“Music therapy is super adaptable and super inclusive,” Emma says. “Music can also be used for connection, communication and for well-being, and also to help build on skills that aren’t necessarily musical based.”
For example, instruments can help children practise movement, build coordination and strengthen fine motor skills.
Emma’s pathway into music therapy began after she completed a Bachelor of Music. Her sister, a clinical psychologist in Ireland, suggested the career, and she later went on to gain a Master of Music Therapy in Wellington, followed by training as an early childhood teacher.
“I love working with kids, and the fact that I have both qualifications in this environment is so helpful.”
Emma moved into the new space on 17 February and says it is the perfect location.
“Lots of music therapists might have studios at home or within other places, but I love the idea of it being within a music school.”
She says, for some children, therapy can even become a pathway into more formal music learning.
NCMA director Myles Payne welcomes the new service.
“It perfectly aligns with what we do at NCMA with well-being in the community. We have a strong belief that music is for everybody, and so if music is used in a therapeutic way to help, it’s just fantastic.”
The name of the space reflects the environment Emma wanted to create.
“I wanted to think about somewhere where I could create a safe and warm environment that you can feel supported in.”
She thinks of herself as the “mama bird”, but the focus is always on the children.
“I’m not here to teach you anything, you’re the centre of it, this is your nest.”
The Nest also extends beyond the therapy room. Emma runs a mobile service for rural schools, early learning centres and families who cannot easily travel.
She is also creating music therapy resources for classrooms and writing original songs that are released online so families and teachers can continue the work outside therapy sessions.
Emma has mostly self-funded the instruments and equipment in the room so far, but rent for the space this year is being covered by the Ronnie’s Fund. She has also received a Lindgren Fund to buy a guitar and xylophone. She hopes to secure additional funding for more inclusive furniture and a dedicated waiting area.
Alongside the work happening in the therapy space, Emma has also welcomed a quiet new assistant.
Rory, known affectionately as “Rory the Potato in dog form”, was adopted last year and is a five-year-old therapy dog in training. Over recent months she has been joining Emma in classrooms and is calm, affectionate, and very good at helping write songs.
Anyone wishing to support The Nest can make a donation, named or anonymous, via the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts website here.
