The Aardvark Program: Learning from experience and striving for sustainability in a combined music therapy/ community music songwriting program for young people facing adversity

Abstract

Aardvark, a songwriting program in Melbourne, Australia, offers young people facing medical or personal adversity an opportunity to draw on the combined strengths of music therapy and community music. Through tailored songwriting programs, marginalised young people can achieve musical, social and personal development. This article outlines the unique characteristics of the Aardvark model, including individual stories of three of the participants, and proposes a new direction for the non-profit Aardvark organisation in Australia.