We’re a group of professionals in the fields of music, health, organisational development and the media.
We’re passionate about bringing high-quality classical music to people with diverse needs.
Grace Kim. Photo by David Hill, Deep Hill Media
Grace Kim, Pianist, Founding artistic director and President
A scintillating performance… Pianist Grace Kim was brilliant.” The Press (NZ)
As a classical musician, Grace aims to share the beauty of high-quality live music with a diverse community, especially those who have limited access for personal, medical, or social reasons.
A Winston Churchill Fellow, concert pianist, artistic director and music educator Grace remains one of the most respected musicians in Australia. She is a winner of many international and national prizes, and performed internationally for over 20 years.
In a distracted world, it can be hard to find family activities that are of benefit emotionally, neurologically and socially.
Live classical music is one of few things proven to stimulate all parts of the brain, bypassing neurological blockages. It has scientific benefit on the developing brain in young children, unlocks emotional memories in dementia patients, and promotes a general sense of wellbeing. Some studies even show that people are kinder after listening to music ☺️
These are the driving forces behind Grace’s work with Sensory Concerts® – giving equal access to children and adults with sensory or additional needs to attend live classical concerts performed by internationally acclaimed musicians.
With an autistic child with ADHD and a mother with dementia, Grace knows first-hand the positive impact this participation can create.
To fund this important project, Grace founded Your Music Inc. This charity group aims to attract philanthropy, donations, and grants – and to expand the high-quality concerts to a wider community by providing Aged Care Concerts, Hospital Concerts, and School Concerts.
Jane Wearn, Psychologist, BA (Psych), Master of Applied Psychology, MAPS
Jane has over 30 years’ experience providing assessment and treatment services to children and adolescents, adults and families in the public and private sector. She uses a family/person-centred approach to assist in addressing an individual’s core needs. This promotes effective intervention to assist individuals reach their full potential.
Jane is experienced working in consultation with GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians, speech pathologist, occupational therapists, teachers and other health professionals.
She has a special interest in helping children and adults overcome difficulties with anxiety, depression and emotional regulation. Jane has extensive experience assisting individuals with learning, developmental and intellectual disabilities and childhood behaviour difficulties.
Josey Sharpe, Occupational Therapist, BSc (OT)
Josey is the owner of Josey Sharpe Occupational Therapy and is dedicated to supporting every family she works with, to help their child reach their full potential so that they can actively participate in everyday activities.
Josey grew up in South Africa and moved to Australia in 2005. Josey graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004. She was educated and mentored at the undergraduate level in sensory processing. It was here that her passion for this area of occupational therapy was ignited.
Since moving to Australia, Josey has worked in both community and private paediatric settings. Since 2013, Josey has been organising and leading social skills groups and school readiness groups including Avanti (in Hudson, Wisconsin USA) and Jabiru (Yarramundi, NSW).
Helen Tobler, Your Music Inc. Secretary and Media Officer
Helen Tobler is an experienced freelance journalist and writer based in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Before becoming a freelancer, Helen was a staff journalist for the national broadsheet newspaper The Australian for 10 years.
As a result of watching her mother’s experience as a cancer patient in hospital and palliative care, Helen believes there is a huge need for the therapeutic benefits of quality live music within the often impersonal and sterile environment of hospitals, and that elderly and not-so-elderly patients deserve the emotional escape that music can provide.
As a parent of two young children, Helen believes all children should have access to the benefits and joys of the arts, no matter what their circumstances or background.
www.helentobler.com
Sheona Dickins, Your Music Inc. Treasurer
Sheona’s background in psychology has provided the foundation for a career encompassing the disability, health and community services sectors. An enthusiastic supporter of the Your Music Inc. ethos of inclusion and accessibility, she was delighted to join the team in 2019.
Helping at Your Music Inc. concerts is now one of Sheona’s favourite activities. “These are Australia’s most talented musicians sharing their joy of music. Their passion is infectious, whether they are showing a child how a cello produces sound, supporting a person with limited mobility to play the maracas, or leading the audience through a drumming session. I especially love the moment in a concert when the audience recognises a piece of music. Big smiles, sounds of joy, clapping, dancing, or wide-eyed wonder… you never know what the reactions will be.”
Louise Fahy, Your Music Inc. Member
Louise started her career as a Registered Nurse, with highlights including working and teaching overseas, as well as management and administrative roles.
A mother of three young children, Louise is passionate about accessibility and inclusion, with a particular interest in the disability and aged care sectors.
Michelle Stanhope, Your Music Inc. Member
Michelle is an experienced not-for-profit leader specialising in organisational and business development. She is currently the Chief Governance Officer at The University of Sydney.
Underpinning Michelle’s career is a deep commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people.
Michelle is the proud parent of two neurodivergent children. As a result of this personal experience, her tertiary music education and her long and proud relationship as a fundraiser for the performing arts, she has a unique understanding of the significance of Your Music.
Teije Hylkema, Cellist
He moved from The Netherlands to Australia in 2012 and has worked as a guest principal with various orchestras including Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra before attaining the Principal position at Opera Australia Orchestra.
He was also a regular guest in the Mahler Chamber Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding and Claudio Abbado.
He is a founding member of Sensory Concerts® – a series of high quality concerts for children and adults with sensory/special needs.
Teije was the soloist for the Sydney production of “Verve” with the Opera Australia Orchestra, after a successful Melbourne Season with The Australia Ballet.
Opera Australia: Teije Hylkema
Minah Choe, Cellist
Born in Seoul, Korea, Minah Choe began her studies at the age of 8. She graduated with Bachelor of Music with First Class Honors from the Sydney Conservatorium where she was admitted whilst at high school and received scholarships throughout her studies. She was a full scholarship holder at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2002. In 2004 Minah received master’s degree from the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music under the guidance of Prof. Janos Starker and continued with doctoral degree as his teaching assistant at IU. In 2016 she graduated with Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Sydney Conservatorium. Currently Minah works as regularly with Opera Australia Orchestra and Sydney Symphony and performs widely in various chamber music concerts and recitals including the Schubert Society, and the Omega ensemble.
Minah has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras including Sydney Symphony, Christchurch Symphony, Nizhny-Novgrod Philharmonic, Indiana University Philharmonic, Bloomington Camerata, Sydney Conservatorium Chamber, and Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic, the Beecroft orchestras, and Melbourne String Ensemble. She has won numerous awards including “Most Promising Performer” in 4th Adam International Cello Competition, Australian Postgraduate Award, inaugural Janos Starker Scholarship, Dorothy Fraser Scholarship and Australian University of Women Federation Commemorative Fellowship.
Minah is devoted teacher educating young cellists. Currently, she teaches at Cranbrook school and the King’s school. She was a tutor at AYO Young Symphonists in 2010 and AYO Spring Camp in 2021 (postponed), and tutor at the Riverina Summer School for Strings in 2013 and 2015. Minah worked as a Music Co-ordinator of the Australian Korean Classical Association.
Minah has recorded for ABC classic FM, 2MBS FM and Wirripang. Her discography includes solo and chamber music by Dulcie Holland, and Phillip Wilcher. Minah plays a cello by Joseph Hel (1896).