You can purchase a recording of the concert for $10 here
“Coming to Our Senses” was the second concert in the “A Friend of Mine” 2021 concert season. This concert was held over Zoom and was a collaboration with Musical Between, an inclusive music centre which provides music therapy, art therapy and community activities.
Neurodiversity manifests itself in as many ways as there are people in the world. This concert was a celebration of the diversity of sensory perceptions in our community, where we pondered how our unique sensory experiences contribute to this diversity. Responding to these ideas, Dreambox Collective created five new works during Sydney’s extended lockdown.
Our audience from “Coming to Our Senses” and their origami creations
The concert included a discussion between our guest speaker Izumi Nago, Director at Musical Between and guest artist Andrew Bukenya, addressing the role of music-making and creativity in therapeutic practices and communication. This included an exploration of music therapy in providing relief and treatment to certain health conditions and the power of creativity to supplement verbal communication.
Dreambox artists in this project
Guest artists
Andrew Bukenya: narrator
Andrew Bukenya (London/UK) studied music (singing and conducting) at the University of East Anglia and was twice awarded the Norwich & Peterborough Scholarship, enabling him to continue vocal studies with John Aplin. A Japanese Government (Monbusho) Scholarship saw him pursue postgraduate solo vocal studies at the Tokyo National University of Music and Fine Arts. His career has ranged from music theatre roles, oratorio & opera in the UK (Glyndebourne), Japan (Suntory Hall) and Australia; sold out recitals (in music ranging from renaissance lute song to gospel at Kings College Cambridge, Griffin Theatre with Aria winning harpist Marshall McGuire (Mardi Gras Festival), and Bev Kennedy for 2by20 (City Recital Hall); duet vocals with Chaka Khan & Sheila E (Blue Note), in addition to back up vocals for Usher (Tokyo) and George Benson with the SSO at the Opera House and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
He currently hosts Sydney Symphony Hour on Fine Music Sydney 102.5FM, Thirsty Thursdays at Darlinghurst Theatre Co & the online artists interview series, Andrew Bukenya Presents ‘Chat & Dash!’
Victoria Bromberger: soprano
Victoria Bromberger is a young Australian Soprano based in Sydney. She gained a Post Graduate Diploma of Opera Performance and a Bachelor of Music Performance (Classical Voice) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Previous operatic roles include Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Oberto (Alcina), Le Fils (Les mamelles de Tirésias), Sandman (Hänsel und Gretel) and First Spirit (Die Zauberflöte). Victoria currently performs as a Soprano soloist with the Judgement of Paris Baroque Ensemble, and is passionate about performing new works from current Australian composers.
Guest speaker: Izumi Nago, Musical Between
Izumi has practiced music therapy over 20 years in various fields including mental health, geriatric care, children and adults with disability, adolescents at risk, and the general population - both in Japan and Australia. Izumi began her career as a classical pianist, having graduated from the Osaka College of Music. An opportunity to observe and take part in music therapy sessions in a psychiatric hospital was the turning point that led Izumi to study music therapy. She witnessed that music could immediately sweep away the social barriers caused by illness and disability, promoting communication and connecting people.
She studied music therapy at Toho Gakuen in Tokyo, and completed her Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy at the University of Technology Sydney, followed by the Masters of Creative Music Therapy and the Graduate Certificate in Research Studies at the University of Western Sydney.
Izumi directs Musical Between as an inclusive music centre, which provides music therapy, art therapy, and community activities - with the aims of enhancing the individual’s sense of well-being; and of connecting the individual with his/her community. She also hopes that this centre will contribute to a more inclusive community.