წაიკითხეთ ეს ქართულად.

The 2025-2026 Distance Learning Programme (DLP) training programme in Georgia has come to an end, bringing together people from different professional backgrounds around one important idea: using music to support children with diverse needs.

The eight programme participants came from a range of professional fields, but they were united by a shared desire to incorporate elements of music therapy into their own practice and to use music to support children’s development, communication, engagement, and well-being, whether at school, during music lessons, in kindergartens, or in other settings where they work with children. Across these settings, over 2,100 children will now have the opportunity to access music sessions.

It was a one-year journey from theory to practice. The first eight months of the programme were a period of intense learning, acquiring new knowledge, and working on assignments. Step by step, participants were introduced to the foundations of music therapy, different approaches and practical methods. They reflected on and developed their learning and connected it with their own professional experience.

The final two months of the programme proved particularly important. Participants began delivering practical music therapy sessions with a total of 24 children under supervision. It was at this stage that they were able to apply their knowledge in real working environments, observe the impact of their work, gain practical experience, and further develop their own practice.

At the beginning of the programme, participants also had the special opportunity to work face-to-face with two music therapists: Tako Jordania (Georgia) and Jenny Laahs (Scotland). During these sessions, they were introduced to different approaches to music therapy in practice, explored its key aims and principles, and gained experience that provided an important foundation for their subsequent distance learning and practical work.

The face-to-face sessions were held at Tbilisi State Conservatoire. A very special thank you to Tbilisi State Conservatoire for its continued support!

The importance of the knowledge and experience gained throughout the year is reflected in the participants’ own words:

This course taught me to believe in my own abilities, to pay attention to details and to find happiness in those details. It taught me not to get angry with a child, but rather to understand what they are trying to communicate through their behaviour. This is the greatest thing I have gained from the course. I am immensely grateful.

The practical component gave participants the opportunity to turn their knowledge into real experience and discover new ways of connecting with children:

Throughout the practical placement, I gained many positive experiences that I am very happy with. What made me happiest was seeing a trusting relationship develop between the children and me over time. They came to the music sessions with joy, engaged in the activities with interest, and gradually became more comfortable expressing their emotions and wishes.

After one year, this is no longer simply about knowledge gained. It is about new experiences, new professional opportunities, and people who are ready to bring the power of music to even more children.

Congratulations to all the programme participants on successfully completing the course!

This is an important achievement that reflects a year of hard work, dedication, learning, and growth. We wish them every success as they carry this knowledge and experience forward in their professional journeys and use music to create opportunities for development, communication, engagement, and joy for many more children.

Congratulations on reaching this important milestone, and may this ending mark the beginning of many new opportunities!