Culturally-Responsive Live Music to Support Non-English Speaking Clients

– by Ben Segal

Mira was a newly arrived client with no ability to communicate in English. At the time, she was experiencing deep mental health distress and appeared isolated and withdrawn. A brief and respectful inquiry into her background revealed that she was from Iran and in her early 60s.

Trusting my intuition, I used Mira’s age and country of origin to design a culturally appropriate intervention – one that could communicate safety, belonging, and familiarity without the use of words. Recognising the central role that music, dance, and family play in many Persian communities, I decided to use her cultural language – dance – as a vehicle for connection and healing.

I searched for popular Persian music from the 1980s, aligning the selection with what Mira may have listened to at family gatherings in her youth. As soon as the music began to play, a profound transformation occurred.

Mira’s entire persona shifted. She entered an imaginary space where she was surrounded by family, joyfully dancing at a familiar gathering. Her movements were graceful and expressive, revealing a deeply rooted knowledge of traditional dance. In that moment, language barriers, mental health challenges, and cultural isolation dissolved. Mira was present, connected, and radiant.

What struck me most was the power of culturally-informed live music to transcend language and emotional distress. Mira experienced a moment of peace, joy, and belonging – elements critical to mental and emotional recovery.

This experience reinforced the importance of culturally responsible, family-centred practices in arts and healthcare. By acknowledging and validating the client’s cultural identity, we can create meaningful therapeutic engagement, especially for those who may be otherwise unreachable through conventional communication.