SESSION Abstract: Music and your mind: How music reflects and influences our emotional world from a neuroscientific and cultural perspective. Exploring the idea that to be human is to be musical where music is perhaps an essential element for meaningful connection and belonging in our communities.
Date: Wednesday 8th October
Time & format: The course will start at 10am, with a coffee and tea break followed by a lively facilitated discussion to answer all your curious questions. The course will finish at 12pm each week
Location: The Common Room, 227 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings 4122
About the experts
Sinead Hegarty
Sinead Hegarty (she/they) is a NZ Registered Music Therapist at Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, she completed her masters in Music Therapy at Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University) in 2023 and now works part time at the Hawkes Bay regional centre. Sinead has as deep love for community-focused approaches and promoting social justice in her practice.
Christina Tay - Learning Facilitator
Christina is a lifelong learner with a profound passion for exploring diverse cultures and disciplines. Her curiosity has inspired extensive global travel, from teaching English to Buddhist monks in Laos and volunteering at a Thai orphanage to visiting museums across Europe, the UK, and Asia. A highlight of her travels is the Bishop Museum in Hawai'i, which she visits frequently, including during the 2014 World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education.
Her academic journey began with law and politics at Waikato University, where she discovered dispute resolution. She subsequently earned a Master’s in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Strathclyde University, UK. This period included an exchange at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai and research in Hong Kong on the ombudsman's role.
Currently a Learning Facilitator for Love Heart Social Learning, Christina also teaches the Restorative Practices microcredential at Victoria University. A fully accredited restorative justice facilitator and assessor, she recently delivered mediation training in Micronesia. Previously, she served as Director of Employee Assistance Resolution Services at Victoria University.
Outside of work, Christina enjoys connecting with loved ones and attending international events, such as the 2025 Restorative Practices conference in Singapore, to continually expand her expertise.
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