who we are

our vision

We believe that creativity can change life quality, longevity and everyday happiness.

our mission

We build on scientific evidence to co-design, implement and evaluate music and arts strategies for health and wellbeing.

our values

  • Innovate – We integrate cutting-edge science with artistic expression to develop creative, evidence-based approaches to health and well-being.
  • Empower – We use music and arts-based approaches to equip individuals and communities with the tools for self-expression, personal growth, and improved health outcomes.
  • Connect – We believe in the power of music and the arts to bring people together, fostering social bonds and emotional well-being across all ages and backgrounds.
  • Inclusive – We design programs that are accessible and welcoming to all, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability or background, can experience the benefits of music and the arts.

the sound health team

we draw on a wide range of skills from a wide range of professions

Esther Couch

Co-founder, strategy, program design, stakeholder management, content.

Esther specialises in policy and program design, stakeholder management and messaging in the social services.

She trained as a classical violinist before completing an Arts/Law degree and a maitrise in philosophy at the Sorbonne Paris IV. She worked as a fashion stylist, costume and set designer before bringing her interest in social justice and the arts together to found the successful charity Mostly Mad Music in 2018, a charity which explored the relationship between music and mental health.

She has a keen interest in behaviour change and is currently a PhD Candidate looking at ways music can be used to influence negative bias and stigma.

She enjoys communicating across all forms of media and produced her own podcast on YouTube and Spotify for two seasons.

Anita Connell

Anita Connell

Co-founder, research, program design, arts for health, education and training.

Anita is a music therapist skilled in using creative music techniques to enhance health, functioning & wellbeing

Anita is also an experienced researcher and focused her PhD on creative and music-based approaches to enhance older adults’ cognitive health. She has co-designed inclusive ‘arts for health’ programs including music and art collaborations, music programs to develop children’s communication and initiatives to promote mental health and resilience for high school students of all abilities. Anita has extensive experience coaching senior executive teams and co-designing team development programs in retail, banking and education sectors.

Sandra Garrido

Co-founder, research, program design and evaluation.

Sandra is a dynamic researcher and advocate for the arts in health, with expertise in co-design, participatory research, and program evaluation.

Sandra completed her PhD in 2012 and is deeply committed to co-design, participatory, and person-centred research approaches. She has skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, scientific communication, program implementation and evaluation, report writing, is a committee member for the Arts Health Network of NSW and ACT (AHNNA) and has acted as a STEMM Ambassador to Parliament. Sandra has published over 90 academic publications, obtained more than $1.9 million in grant funding, and spoken at high profile events including TedX and Vivid.