The Cordialis Foundation emerges from over 30 years of practice and research, beginning at the (then) Canberra School of Music, subsequently the School of Music at the Australian National University. Originally known as the Music Engagement Program (MEP), a unique approach to music and other arts was initiated by Cordialis Chair and Co-Founder Dr Susan West, inspired by the work of medical philosopher and creativity for health pioneer Dr John Diamond. Across the MEP's history, many individuals contributed to its development, in particular Cordialis Co-Founders Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney and Nicole Mengel.

 

Susan, a trained musician and music educator, helped found the Music Engagement Program in the 1990s initially as an exclusive training program for identified 'talented' young children. Through this work, she began to notice the ways in which some traditional types of music education could stifle, limit or disenfranchise young children. Through her work with Dr Diamond, she gradually pivoted the Music Engagement Program towards a broader social-altruistic philosophy open to all.

 

Research on this approach demonstrated that wider engagement in shared musical experiences had positive effects on all those engaged, while continuing to develop creative skills to match individual needs and aspirations. The central tenets of this social philosophy involves sharing creativity with others whilst championing the individual musical and social choices of all those engaged. A classic example involves singing between groups such as children and senior citizens, where the children do not perform but instead move about the room engaging one-on-one, creating meaningful connections as well as promoting deeper engagement with the singing. Both child and senior in this scenario become the helpers of the other.

 

In 2018, after some 30 years at the ANU, the Music Engagement Program was defunded by its long-term funder the ACT Government. The MEP, as a private entity, continued to offer free support to its many collaborators, using online platforms and resources especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MEP strengthened its connections with like-minded partners such as the children's theatre education charity Child Players Ltd, offering a wider range of arts engagement.

 

As of late 2025, the MEP is the core of the more expansive and holistic cultural charity, Cordialis. The team will continue to develop its unique approach to shared, social, altruistic artistic engagement in as it moves forward.