Minding the Pitch offers psychologically-informed music lessons and engagement opportunities to maximize the wellbeing potential of music.
1:1 Music Lessons
I offer 1:1 music lessons online to children and adults based in the UK and in-person in Glasgow.
I currently offer support with:
Singing for all experience levels & styles
Beginners' piano
Music theory & musicianship
It was created by Sydney, a musician, researcher, and social care professional working at the intersection of the arts, mental health, and community development, and is underpinned by evidence across psychology, health, and music education.
I further often support individuals with performance anxiety and neurodivergent students. I frequently work with those who are completely new to music, as well as students who are coming back to music later in life.
Click here to learn more about me and my background.
Online Course
Minding the Pitch actually started in 2021 as a research and public outreach project that sought to understand how music training could support recovery and rehabilitation following intensive support for serious mental illness. Following extensive review of the literature and evidence base, I created a framework for a course that could be implemented in mental health care settings.
The course itself has undergone many changes and improvements, but the basis of it remains the same. The Minding the Pitch: Music Training for Wellbeing course is designed to give a comprehensive introduction to music theory, performance, and songwriting while emphasizing the components that evidence shows are most impactful on our mental health. This helps you to develop your competency and be able to use music engagement as a wellbeing behavior going forward.
The course is not, and does not aim to replace, music therapy. Rather, it exists for those who want to learn about music and be able to add it to their toolbox of activities for psychological health. It is also ideal for those who want an accessible and well-rounded introduction to music before going on to further learning.
To learn more about what the online course covers and the evidence behind it, head here.
Community Outreach, Workshops, & Events
Minding the Pitch actually started in 2021 as a research and public outreach project that sought to understand how music training could support recovery and rehabilitation following intensive support for serious mental illness. Following extensive review of the literature and evidence base, I created a framework for a course that could be implemented in mental health care settings.
This course is now accessible to individuals online, but can also be adapted to be delivered as single workshops or as a series of workshops. Minding the Pitch aims to create opportunities for communities, particularly underprivileged groups and those with mental health challenges, to make and perform music while forming relationships with others.
Watch this space for special projects & events.
Arts & Health Research
Everything that Minding the Pitch offers is evidence-informed, and one of my aims is to advance the understanding of how arts engagement affects physical and mental health. I have a professional background in research and evaluation in the voluntary sector, and I will draw on this experience to evaluate and continue improving Minding the Pitch's programs, while sharing learning widely.
I am always interested in collaborating with charities, organizations, schools, and researchers on arts and health projects and research.