Sinead Hegarty

Graduate Music Therapist
Hawke’s Bay Regional Centre

A lifelong love of music is what inspired Sinead (She/They) to pursue a career in music therapy. The dynamic way music reflects our inner worlds, allows us to express ourselves, make us move, be with us through our darkest and most joyful moments continually amazes her. 

Sinead's interest in the inner worlds of people began at the cellular level when she received her undergraduate degree in genetics from Otago university. However, music and art prevail in being the main vehicle through which Sinead has and continues to explore the depths of human experience.

Sinead is especially interested in how music can be used to connect people and facilitate a sense of belonging in a community. Sinead's work seeks to be grounded in a neurodiversity paradigm. This way of working respects and celebrates different neurocognitive styles and embodiments of musicians who engage in music therapy, viewing neurodiversity as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.

Creativity and connection are core values of Sinead's work. Goals for music therapy are collaboratively shaped by the expertise of individuals and their whānau, with a commitment to mana taurite (equity) being upheld at every step of the journey.