Marchese di Villabianca

Centre for Music and the Arts for Children and Young People with Disabilities

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Villabianca is a specialised centre that is currently providing Music Therapy, Adapted Music Learning and group opportunities to children and young people with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 35. To date, it is the only centre of its kind. Regarded by many as a safe space, Villabianca supports music-making that is creative and adaptable according to each individual’s interests, needs and aptitudes. The relationship between the service-user and the practitioner is central to the development of new pathways of expression – musical and otherwise.
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We believe that every person deserves to have equitable opportunities to live life to its fullest potential. Villabianca project is founded on the belief that all children and young people with disabilities have a right to culture and access to Music and the Arts.
Artistic expression can help individuals tap into and discover new pathways of communication. This imparts a strong sense of empowerment thereby facilitating one’s active participation in society. By adopting therapeutically informed methods, Villabianca supports children and young people with disabilities to find their musical self, nurture new skills and empower self-expression.

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Some learn to play; others learn through play.

Rosetta Debattista

(Villabianca Creative Consultant)

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How Villabianca came to be?

Villabianca was inaugurated on the 15th December 2021 with the support of Prof. Adv. Emmanuele F.M. Emanuele di Villabianca, Barone Di Culcasi (Fondazione Terzo Pilastro). It was officially opened by Alessia Bonnici (a musician on the autism spectrum), Matteo Valentino (music improviser with Leukodystrophy HABC), Melania Haegdorens (piano and violin player who loves singing and is blind), Quiven Ellul (piano player who is blind), and The
Equality in Music Group of the Downs Syndrome Association, in the presence of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca the visionary and founder of this project and with the support of Prof. Adv. Emmanuele F.M. Emanuele di Villabianca, Barone di Culcasi (Fondazione Terzo Pilastro Internazionale).

 

Our story began in March 2021. H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca invited the now Villabianca Creative Consultant, Rosetta Debattista, for an online meeting following their introduction through Alessia Bonnici. Immediately, the realisation of a common and heartfelt mission synchronised: that of ensuring a much greater access to music and the arts to children and young people with disabilities. The following six months were critical in the setting up of Villabianca. They involved hard work done at speed to ensure that the centre would be set up professionally with solid foundations to meet its objectives, namely: to provide services, conduct outreach work and provide training opportunities for local practitioners. Villabianca became operational in November 2021.Equality in Music Group of the Downs Syndrome Association, in the presence of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Our Objectives

Today Villabianca continues to build on its pioneering work in Malta with children and young people with disabilities.

Services

Villabianca constantly works to provide professional music sessions to children and young people with disabilities. It was set up with a solid foundation of operational procedures to meet the ethical and professional standards our service-users and their families deserve.

Outreach

Villabianca recognises the importance of networking with both national and international entities. Its Outreach Programme fosters musical exchanges and professional support within diverse community contexts.

Training

Being a new and unique initiative, Villabianca places great emphasis on professional training. It is, and continues to be, an essential tool to help the team respond and accommodate the needs of the local context; including the provision of local training for Maltese-based practitioners to become more creative and skilful in their work within the
field of Arts and Disabilities.
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Meet the Team

Rosetta Debattista

Rosetta Debattista

Villabianca Creative Consultant

Stephanie Curmi

Stephanie Curmi

Head of Services

Miguel Rosales

Miguel Rosales

Outreach Coordinator

Katie Bycroft

Katie Bycroft

Music Therapist

Christine Smith

Christine Smith

Music Therapist

Jack Barker

Jack Barker

Music Therapist

Jess Rymer

Jess Rymer

Creative Music Practitioner

Arianne Spiteri Cremona

Arianne Spiteri Cremona

Creative Music Practitioner

Cynthia Bonnici

Cynthia Bonnici

Family Support Worker

Joanna Giacomotto

Joanna Giacomotto

Visiting Strings Specialist

Empowering Futures

Join us in making a difference and donate now to The Malta Trust Foundation, empowering lives and building a brighter future for all.

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Stories

Disclaimer: The following narratives presented were written by members of staff who have direct therapeutic contact with John, Linda and Grace (not their real names).

John

John is a 17-year-old young man on the autism spectrum. He struggles with communication, which poses difficulties when facing the universal challenges of transitioning into young adulthood. Our practitioner began working with John in November 2021 when Villabianca first opened its doors. He was referred to the service by his mum in the hope that sessions could support John in his communication and enhance his self-esteem. Initial sessions offered John the opportunity to explore musical instruments. This was an intense experience for him and it became clear that he would need some time to get comfortable in the space without music. John was keen to bring his interests into the session and time was spent drawing, engaging in discussions, and creating sound FX for trains, aeroplanes, or characters from films.
After some time, John expressed an interest in the electronic music equipment present at Villabianca and began experimenting with synthesisers and loops. Feeling heard during these initial interactions supported John in becoming more comfortable Villabianca. Upon trusting the space and building a relationship with consistent boundaries, he became freer to explore what session could offer him.
It has been a privilege to watch John’s confidence grow. He now enters Villabianca and salutes ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ to members of the team before and after his session. In his sessions John explores instruments and creates music freely, communicates expressively, and engages confidently. It has also been fantastic to see John take his music outside of Villabianca and play in a drumming group with his peers and family, expanding both his musical and social circles!

Linda

Linda is a six-year-old girl with Global Developmental Delay. A lack of balance means that she is unable to walk unaided, with a tendency to neglect the left side of her body. She can sit with ease and only sometimes needs support from her mum, who joins Linda in the Music Therapy sessions. Throughout her time at Villabianca, myself (Music Therapist) and Linda’s mum have observed development in her motivation, movements and motor skills. Linda is a very musical girl and likes singing. The music itself encourages Linda to move and use her body in ways she may not have done if encouraged only by verbal instructions. The Music Therapy sessions are ‘person led’ and much of the communication between myself and Linda happens through music and play. This aspect of Music Therapy gives Linda the freedom to explore her own motivation to play, sing and move. When she does this, I attune to Linda’s music, respond, and acknowledge her. This feeling of acknowledgement and the connection through music in turn motivates Linda to play even more. When an instrument is placed on Linda’s left side, she might play spontaneously to keep the music and connection alive whilst using the part of her body that has been neglected. Within the creative musical play, Linda can follow what her body instinctively and intrinsically wants to do; motivated by the music, rhythm, and enjoyment felt when playing music. Our time together includes both known songs and improvised music. The songs have formed a framework for the sessions and have given Linda the sense of familiarity and safety needed to trust our musical relationship, so as to be able to develop further. The improvised music then allows for exploration and freedom to try new things. There is no evaluation or judgement in improvised playing. Thus, alongside the physical dimension of therapy, the therapeutic environment helps to provide a safe and comfortable space for Linda to develop both socially and emotionally – supporting her wellbeing, confidence, selfesteem, and ability to attend.

Grace

Grace is a lively six-year-old girl with a love of rhythm and music: her face lights up with curiosity and excitement as soon as she hears musical sound. Grace is also a wheelchair user with extremely limited ability to move her own limbs and no access to verbal language as a means of communication. When Grace is not feeling so good, she expresses her discomfort or pain with heartfelt crying which, at times, can feel inconsolable and hard to bear.
In her first Music Therapy session, Grace displayed an interest and awareness of new sounds that I played. The team was hopeful that she would enjoy coming for weekly sessions to Villabianca as this had the opportunity to expand her world by building a new relationship with someone, using music and sound as tools for interaction. During the first weeks, Grace would often cry and be inconsolable at some point during the session. However, as the relationship gradually became deeper, her periods of crying reduced. She began to follow sounds with her eyes as I moved a bell across her line of vision; she found a way to use her voice expressively in response to my voice, or even the sound of the flute! Most recently, Grace was surprised by a particular sound and laughed out loud. She feels the fun of a musical pause – she seems to tell me ‘When is that sound coming back, I want to hear it again NOW!’.
Her musical journey at Villabianca continues, revealing an understanding of communication and relationships which would have been hard to predict in those early days.

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Testimonials

‘Villabianca has become a safe space for our son who is on the autism spectrum and suffers from anxiety. It is one of the few places he walks into confidently and independently because he knows he will be welcomed by people who are sensitive to his needs and respectful towards him. His time at Villabianca over the past year has been a journey of freedom. Here is a place where he can be who he is, where he will not be judged and where there are no mistakes to make. He is free to explore his inner self without constraints – the complete opposite of what society constantly imposes on him every other moment of his life. His Music Therapist is simply wonderful. Her sensitivity has been cathartic for him. Through music, our son (who has limited verbal abilities) and his Music Therapist, have been able to communicate much more than words could say. Having such a space and amazing team at Villabianca makes a huge difference in these young persons’ lives. Thank you!’

‘I’ll quote my daughter: “Mama I don’t just like Villabianca, I love it! I want to live at Villabianca!”

‘Truly professional tutors with a real know-how on how to interact with our child and
involve him. Beautiful, well-kept, and well-equipped premises, outstanding
experience.’

‘Thank you for how you help the children/service-users feel safe, comfortable, supported and welcome!’

‘I have never seen such a positive attitude in my son compared to the other activities
he carries out.’

‘I am so glad I enrolled my son here. He loves it so much, he’s always asking me how
many days are left for the music session.’

All the staff are very professional and have very good communication skills with us
parents. The place has a very welcoming and calming environment and the staff
always have a smile on their faces when welcoming you.’

‘Every Tuesday, my sister wakes up very keen to attend her Music Therapy session
here. Although she cannot verbalise this, we can tell she really enjoys it. This
exposure to music does her a world of good! This is such a wonderful team and such
a wonderful and much-needed project. Thank you for your patience, kindness,
dedication and truly excellent work!’

89%

Of Service Users Were

Very Satisfied

With The Friendliness & Approachability Of Villabianca Members

97%

Of Service Users Were

Satisfied or Very Satisfied

With The Overall Experince At Villabianca

89%

Of Service Users Were

General Appreciation Of Music

Noted A Significant Positive Or Positive Effect In The Service

100%

Of Service Users Would Recommend Villabianca To Other Families With Children And Young People With Disabilities

Application Process For Villabianca

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