Sarah Byrne

Student Music Therapist at the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust & 2023 recipient of The KEECT Master of Music Therapy Award sponsored by Mr. Ellis Coxon & supported by The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. 

Sarah is based in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty and has started her second semester of the Master of Music Therapy Programme at Victoria University in Wellington.  She will be working with the regional Bay of Plenty Raukatauri team during her placement.

Sarah grew up learning classical piano and enjoys working with a variety of instruments as well as voice. Alongside her music studies, Sarah has a post-graduate degree in primary teaching.  As a teacher, she has experienced first hand the power of music in the classroom environment to support children with emotional and behavioural issues, and is is especially passionate about the ability of music to improve the wellbeing/hauora of our tamariki.

Having worked in a number of community-focused organisations previously, Sarah believes music therapy has a special role to play in supporting self-expression and identity building for people of all ages and backgrounds.  She hopes through her connections with the teaching and music communities in her area to be able to expand the role of music therapy in schools.

Outside of music therapy, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, reading and exploring the wonderful nature of New Zealand.