Our roots lie in the orphanages of Romania where our director, Alexia Quin volunteered in 1992. Local caregivers were eager for training so that they might themselves improve care. She saw they were inspired by the way music proved to be a powerful tool to help people to connect and add meaning to difficult lives. 

Alexia set up the charity and developed a training model which gave caregivers the support, confidence, resources and experience to use new techniques and musical activities. As we grew, our reputation as an organisation with integrity known for impactful, sustainable projects led to requests from beyond Romania. The model has since been adapted to diverse contexts, cultures and countries.

As an organisation we continue to adapt and develop the training and support we offer to strengthen care using music for as many people as possible. 

Our milestones

2024

2023


2022

2021

  • We develop our first online training tool, Music Helps, piloting it in India
  • Our director, Alexia is awarded an OBE for her contribution to music therapy

2020

2019

  • Imelda Staunton presents our second BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal, raising £20,914 

2018

  • Our director, Alexia sits on the Commission on Dementia and Music in partnership with the Utley Foundation and ILC-UK
  • We launch our #MusicCan awareness campaign celebrating all the amazing ways music can improve our lives
  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in Ethiopia, working with caregivers across three care settings in Addis Ababa
  • Shortlisted for the Advancing Healthcare Awards

2017

2016

  • We launch ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ – a pilot phase of on-site skill-sharing projects across the UK

2015

  • We co-host a national conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our first project in Romania
  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in India in partnership with the Otakar Trust
  • We pilot our Distance Learning Programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in partnership with Musicians Without Borders

2014

  • Our director, Alexia delivers a keynote presentation for the British Association for Music Therapy’s annual conference
  • We commence two years of research into UK care sector to identify the areas and communities where our approach is most relevant and could have the greatest impact

2013

  • Shortlisted for the Advancing Healthcare Awards 
  • Third Sector Excellence Awards “Highly Commended” (Small Charity: Big Achiever)

2012

  • Shortlisted for the Advancing Healthcare Awards 
  • Imelda Staunton presents our first BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal
  • We provide consultancy on an international project in Myanmar working with children with disabilities

2011

  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in Peru

2010

  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in Rwanda
  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in Georgia
  • The Distance Learning Programme launches in Romania for caregivers working with children and young people with disabilities
  • In partnership with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, we deliver our first project in the UK with the launch of Interactive Music-Making Structured Training for the Early years
  • We officially change our name to Music as Therapy International to reflect the breadth of countries in which we work

2009

2006

  • Charity Awards Winner

2001

  • We support our partners in Romania to host the country’s first national music therapy conference
  • We form our Advisory Panel of volunteer music therapists

1998

1995

  • We deliver our first on-site skill-sharing project in Romania 

1992