MUSIC + IMPROVISATION + COMMUNICATION

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The Story of Safe in Sound

Safe in Sound (SIS) was founded in 2018 by Artistic Director Robbie Avenaim, an acclaimed percussionist, improviser, sound artist. The program began through a personal connection with Jessica, a young person living with leukodystrophy, a group of rare progressive genetic conditions that affect the central nervous system.

How It Began

Robbie was introduced to Jessica and her family through a friend and was invited to perform in their home. Using kinetic sound sculptures, found percussion, toys and improvised sound-making instruments, Robbie created a one-on-one musical experience grounded in listening, responsiveness and play. From the first session, Jessica responded directly to the sounds, movement and musical interaction taking place around her.

This experience revealed the potential for improvised music and sound to create meaningful forms of communication and connection for people living with disability, as well as for their families and support networks. What began as an opportunity to bring enjoyment to Jessica and her family soon developed into a broader vision: to bring skilled artists into family homes and community settings, using music, sound and improvisation to support expression, interaction and shared experience.

Encouraged by Jessica’s father, Earl Schonberger, who works in the disability sector, Robbie continued the sessions and began developing a program that could support more families. Drawing on long-standing relationships within Australia’s experimental music community, including artists connected through the What Is Music? Festival, Robbie recognised that improvising artists were uniquely equipped for this work. Their ability to listen closely, adapt in the moment, and respond creatively to each individual offered a sophisticated and respectful approach to music-making in disability contexts.

How Far We’ve Come

Within its first year, Safe in Sound received funding from Creative Australia. This support enabled SIS to engage experienced artists and build partnerships with families and organisations including Jolt Arts, group homes and schools throughout Victoria.

Since then, SIS has delivered more than 100 in-home concerts and workshops for families living with disability, mentored emerging artists with mixed-abilities towards a professional artistic practice, and curated Australia’s first inclusive experimental music festival 2023-to date).

SIS works in partnership with the creative arts sector, group homes, schools and major industry organisations. The organisation is also collaborating with scholars from the University of Melbourne to better understand the benefits of the SIS methodology in supporting wellbeing, developing artists and contributing to experimental music cultures.

Safe in Sound has grown into a nationally recognised program and an annual festival presented in Melbourne and Sydney. The Safe in Sound Festival creates public platforms for artists living with disability, children, families and established experimental musicians to collaborate, perform and share their creative voices. It is Australia’s first experimental music event of its kind, bringing together diverse artists in an inclusive and critically engaged new music environment.