1993

Professor Jane Edwards appointed as the inaugural lecturer in music therapy at the Faculty of Music at University of Queensland. 

2000

Jane attends a keynote from Dr Joanne Loewy at the Australian Music Therapy Association National Conference in Brisbane and Dr. Lowey's description of music therapy work with groups of vulnerable families sows the seed for what will become the first iteration of Sing&Grow. 

2001

In response to Federal Government program expressions of interest, Jane and Brandy Walker (music therapy research assistant) tender for Sing&Grow.

Vicki Abad appointed as inaugural Sing&Grow Director and the program trailed.

2002

Sing&Grow pilot program commences in Queensland. Three music therapists appointed to work in Gympie, Brisbane/Ipswich and Logan regions. 

By the end of 2002, 320 families had taken part in the program.

A Sing&Grow resource, Sing&Grow Together offered a CD and booklet for parents and children, was created in collaboration with UQ.

Kate Williams begins as Acting Director while Vicky Abad is on an overseas secondment, and services are expanded to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. 

2004

Australian Government commits $1.7m funding over three (3) years for the Sing&Grow Program. 

2005

Sing&Grow expands to every state and territory in Australia. Vicky Abad becomes National Director, Kate Williams becomes Director for Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Part of the funding agreement was to spend 10-15% of the budget on research and evaluation. 

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Professors Jan Nicholson and Donna Berthelsen commence collaborative research partnership.

2007 to 2009

Three publications released, with over 800 families looking at the outcomes of Sing&Grow, building the evidence-based program.

Abad, V. & Williams, K. (2007). Early intervention music therapy: Reporting on a 3-year project to address needs with at-risk families. Music Therapy Perspectives, 25(1), 52-58. 

Nicholson, J.M., Berthelsen, D., Abad, V., Williams, K. & Bradley, J. (2008). 
Impact of music therapy to promote positive parenting and child development. Journal of Health Psychology, 13 (2), 226-238. 

Sherwin, L. and Freeman, L. (2009) The Sing & Grow Program: Young Parents Bonding with their Children Through Music. MCA Music Forum, February, 55-57.

2014

Let's Sing&Grow CD released.

Sydney Head Office opened. 

2014-2017 International expansion into the UK

2019 to 2023

Sing&Grow 2019 Final Evaluation Impact Report released (in partnership with QUT)

Savage, S., Williams, K.E., Berry, L. & Oreopoulos, J. (2020). Parental perceptions of the Sing&Grow programme: group music therapy building knowledge, confidence and social support, Journal of Family Studies

Berry, L., Oreopoulos, J., & Higgins-Anderson, J. (2021). Innovations and Adaptations of a National Music Therapy Program during COVID Lockdowns. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, Special Edition. 

Savage, S., L’Estrange, L., Bentley, L. & Stewart, A. L., (2023) Final Evaluation Report on the Westpac-funded Sing&Grow program. 

2020

COVID-19 response - complete pivot with the national team forming coordinated working groups to produce online accessible therapeutic spaces and engaging resources.

Sing&Grow secures philanthropic funding from Westpac

2021

Sing&Grow is recognised by the Victorian Department of Education and Training as a service provider for their School Readiness Funding menu. 

2023

 
Play Matters Australia launches its first children’s picture books, used in Sing&Grow programs: “I Can’t Wait to Play” and “Let’s Play.” 

2024

"Let's Play" wins Speech Pathology Australia book awards

2025

Sing&Grow successful in being part of the South Australia Preschool Boost menu.
Let's Play translated into three different languages in partnership with Better Beginnings WA - Urdu, Vietnamese and Arabic. Launched at the State Library of Western Australia. 

2026

Finalist in the National Allied Health Awards Category: Collaboration and Partnership Excellence

Finalist in the Victoria Early Years Awards Category: Supporting Parents to Build Capacity and Confidence

Team as part of Communities for Children Miller was recognised at the inaugural South Western Sydney Research Excellence Awards in the Community and Parntership Research Category
 
Article Released: Savage, S., L’Estrange, L., Bentley, L. A., Stewart, A. L., & Oreopoulos, J. (2026). “Everyone’s in it with me”: Sing&Grow program fosters parent connection, wellbeing and responsiveness. Arts & Health, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2026.2688145 

Sing&Grow celebrates 25 Years at the State Library of Queensland following the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Symposium (November)