PHOTOS: Music therapy a big hit in Northland

Music therapy is a new initiative in Northland, but already the response has amazed the organisers.

Registered music therapist Katie Boom has returned home to Whangārei to bring music therapy to Northland for the first time in what she calls her dream job.

After spending time overseas and in other parts of the country, she has been working for Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre in Auckland for the past 18 months.

The centre is now expanding its service to Whangārei with Boom and was officially launched on Saturday when more than 100 people packed Whangārei's Old Library.

Centre director Jen Ryckhaert said she was amazed with the response as people came from throughout Northland, which showed a region-wide interest in the sessions.

Ryckhaert said Boom initially intended to do sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Her Wednesday sessions are already full.

"It's just been an amazing response,'' she said.

A subsidy programme is available. For more information, go to www.rmtc.org.nz

Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along on Saturday too.

Harvey Ellis with carer Maureen Adair at the Old Library on Saturday

Kristal Cooke high fives Kaumatua Hohepa Rudoloph, sitting alongside is Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai.

Katie Boom took to song after thanking all the organisations that made the Whangārei music therapy sessions possible.

Five-year-old Jeriah Buchanan tries a selection of coloured bells to compare different sounds

Mila Steinherr, left, and good friend Marija Walker enjoying the event.