Projects
Empowering Primary School Teachers to Support Pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Challenges through Music Therapy Techniques
Project title: Empowering Primary School Teachers to Support Pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Challenges through Music Therapy Techniques
Type: University of Ljubljana HUD Fund Project
Funder: University of Ljubljana
Duration: 2026
Lead institution: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music
Partner institutions: Knoll Institute for Music Therapy and Supervision
Project lead: Assist. Špela Pučko
Research team: Assoc. Prof. Dr Katarina Habe; Špela Loti Knoll; students of the Academy of Music; students of the Knoll Institute
The project takes an interdisciplinary approach to a complex and pressing societal challenge. It is specifically aimed at supporting primary school pupils and facilitating the inclusion of pupils with emotional and behavioural challenges. Through the planned activities, supporting materials, and impact evaluation, we aim to empower teachers to use adapted music therapy techniques in classroom settings. These techniques can be incorporated into short classroom activities by teachers of any subject, particularly in the upper grades of primary school, where such challenges tend to be more common.
The central objective of the project is to achieve positive effects on pupils’ socialisation within the classroom community, regardless of the specific emotional and behavioural challenges they may be experiencing. We expect that by applying the music therapy techniques they acquire, teachers will be able to positively influence the entire group and thereby strengthen classroom cohesion. For meaningful change to occur, teachers must first gain direct, personal experience of the techniques through workshops. In these workshops, they will not only learn about the techniques but also try them out themselves. This will allow them to acquire both the necessary knowledge and first-hand experience before introducing the techniques into their classrooms.
Water Creative Lab
Project title: Water Creative Lab
Type: University of Ljubljana HUD Fund Project
Funder: University of Ljubljana
Duration: 2026
Lead institution: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music
Partner institutions: Ljubljana Musical Youth
Research team: Assoc. Prof. Simon Klavžar (University of Ljubljana Academy of Music); Dr Nataša Sirnik (University of Ljubljana Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering); Katarina Kukovičič (Domžale Music School and the Music School Unit of the Conservatory of Music and Ballet Ljubljana); Dr Petra Brdnik Juhart (University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education); students of the University of Ljubljana Academy of Music (percussion and music education) and students of the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
The project addresses the current societal challenges of technological overload, information disorder, and growing social apathy. It is based on the conviction that art plays an important role in opening up new ways of thinking, acting, and living together, particularly when it moves beyond merely commenting on social issues and directly engages participants in the creative process.
The project’s central objective is to transform young people from passive listeners into active co-creators of a shared sonic and musical experience. By bringing together music, physics, materials, and water, the project seeks to foster curiosity, collaboration, creative thinking, and a tangible awareness among secondary school students that individual actions have real effects within the wider community. As part of the project, the music-and-physics workshop Water Creative Lab will be delivered to students from five secondary schools in Slovenia. The workshop will include a demonstration section in which students from the University of Ljubljana Academy of Music and the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering will present the physical principles governing how water affects the sound of percussion instruments. This will be followed by a hands-on section devoted to experimentation, collaborative creation, and the performance of a jointly devised musical composition.
The project’s impact will be evaluated through feedback from students and teachers, as well as by examining the participants’ experiences of performing the composition as a group. Particular attention will also be devoted to exploring the potential for integrating this type of cross-curricular content into educational practice, especially at the intersection of music, physics, art, and experiential learning.
Autism – Alone with Others IV
Project title: Autism – Alone with Others IV
Type: Public Call for Co-funding Mental Health Promotion Programmes until 2028
Funder: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia
Duration: 2026 – 31 October 2028
Lead institution: Autism Association of Slovenia – SAM
Partner institutions: University of Primorska, Faculty of Education; University of Ljubljana Academy of Music; University of Maribor, Faculty of Education
Website: https://www.zveza-avtizem.eu/avtizem-sam-z-drugimi-iii/
“Autism – Alone with Others IV” is a national programme aimed at promoting mental health and developing a more inclusive, understanding, and professionally supported environment for people with autism and their communities. The programme provides educational and support activities for students and higher education teaching staff.
FOSTERING SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS AS A VULNERABLE GROUP IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY THROUGH MUSICAL ACTIVITIES
Project title: Fostering Social Sustainability Among Adolescents as a Vulnerable Group in Contemporary Society Through Musical Activities
Type: Two-Year Preparatory Research Project (University of Ljubljana Development Fund – RSUL)
Funder: University of Ljubljana
Duration: 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2027
Lead institution: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music
Partner institutions: University of Ljubljana Faculty of Arts; University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana Faculty of Computer and Information Science; University of Ljubljana Faculty of Theology; University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Project lead: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Habe
MUSICAL OCEAN – MUSIC INCLUSION IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Project title: Musical Ocean – Music Inclusion in the Wider Community
Type: University of Ljubljana HUD Fund Project
Funder: University of Ljubljana
Duration: 1 January – 31 December 2025
Lead institution: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music
Project lead: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Habe
Research team: Nuša Piber (DO RE MI Music Centre); Žan Legar (Radovljica Music School); Vilma Stubelj (Anton Janša Primary School, Radovljica); Mateja Tomac Calligaris (Edgar Willems Music Centre, Ljubljana); Loredana Sajovic (INKREARTfun Association; Ajdovščina–Vipava Care and Work Centre); Bernarda Paškvan (Vinko Vodopivec Music School, Ajdovščina); Kritina Puntar (CIRIUS Vipava); Sara Turniški (Veno Pilon Secondary School, Ajdovščina); Damjana Urh (Danilo Lokar Primary School, Ajdovščina); Mitja Režman (Krško Music School); Barbara Smolej Fritz (Dr Mihajlo Rostohar Primary School, Krško); Darinka Pirc (Dragotin Kette Primary School, Novo Mesto); Primož Keršanj (DO RE MI Cultural Association); Jernej Marinšek (Nazarje Music School)
As part of the Musical Ocean project, professional teams for inclusive music-making were established at three locations – Bled–Radovljica, Ajdovščina–Vipava, and Krško – and programmes were developed for three inclusive music concerts. These programmes were continuously adapted and refined throughout the project. A promotional video was produced for the concerts, and a concert programme was prepared for each performance. At each concert, students from the University of Ljubljana Academy of Music participated in the performance of two joint musical pieces. At the same time, the experience of an individual with autism taking on the role of accompanist was evaluated from the perspectives of all the stakeholder groups involved, covering the rehearsals, dress rehearsal, and concert performance. Regular joint rehearsals involving the participating musicians, mentors, and local institutions were also held. Open dress rehearsals were organised for the general public, along with informal post-concert gatherings with audience members, which encouraged dialogue about inclusion in the arts. The project also included promotion within local communities, networking with associations and institutions, and documentation of the process, with the aim of sharing good practices and supporting the long-term decentralisation of inclusive arts events.
ONLINE RESOURCES FOR OPTIMISING LEARNING FOR STUDENT ATHLETES AND MUSICIANS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA
Project title: Video Resources Supporting University of Ljubljana Students in Developing Learning Strategies, Time-Management Skills, Psychological Preparation, and Mental Health Literacy
Type: Collaboration with the University of Ljubljana Career Centres
Duration: November 2025
Partner institutions: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music and University of Ljubljana Faculty of Sport
Project lead: Prof. Dr Tanja Kajtna
Contributor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Habe
The project is designed to help students achieve a better balance between their academic, professional, and everyday lives, while strengthening the knowledge and skills essential for successful performance and good mental health. In collaboration with the University of Ljubljana Career Centres, Prof. Dr Tanja Kajtna of the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Sport and Assoc. Prof. Dr Katarina Habe of the University of Ljubljana Academy of Music developed a series of videos addressing relevant and practically oriented topics. The resources are specifically intended for students with special status, particularly athletes and musicians. However, due to their broad applicability, they are also suitable for the wider student population. They cover: (1) strategies for effective psychological preparation for performance; (2) effective learning strategies; (3) successful time management; (4) mental health and fundamental aspects of psychopathology. Each module contains between six and ten thematic videos designed to help music and sports students optimise their studies.
The videos are available under the In the Media Features.
MUSIC HEALS
Project title: Music Heals – Creating a Supportive Emotional and Social Environment in a Paediatric Hospital Through Music
Type: Development Pillar Funding 2021–2024 (RSF 2021–2024), under the measure Establishing the EUTOPIA Network of Employment Ambassadors and a Local Contact Point (S.E.4.1)
Funder: University of Ljubljana
Duration: 1 February – 30 June 2025
Lead institution: University of Ljubljana Academy of Music
Project lead: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Habe
The primary aim of the project is to establish an interdisciplinary student network bringing together students of music performance and music education from the University of Ljubljana Academy of Music, students of medicine from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, psychology from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Arts, students of special and rehabilitation education from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education, students of family therapy from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Theology, and students of music therapy from the Knoll Institute for Music Therapy and Supervision. Working collaboratively under the guidance of academic and workplace mentors, the students developed music interventions designed to create a supportive emotional and social environment for children, adolescents, and parents at the Paediatric Clinic. Through the project, students from a range of academic disciplines gain practical experience, knowledge, and competencies in a healthcare setting. Knowledge exchange takes place among five higher education institutions, the Knoll Institute for Music Therapy and Supervision, and the Paediatric Clinic in Ljubljana. In this way, the project enables young people to develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills relating to the use of the arts as a non-pharmacological intervention, with particular emphasis on music interventions. It thereby contributes to sustainable human resource development. Through creative approaches, the project encourages innovative solutions as well as critical and creative thinking, with the aim of shaping a healthcare environment that supports and enhances the well-being of both individuals and society. The project also gives students insight into their potential future professional environments and encourages adaptability in navigating employment opportunities. At the same time, it supports higher education institutions in establishing an institutional framework for an open and innovative higher education environment and provides healthcare and other participating organisations with access to high-quality, innovative content that adds significant value to their services.
B-AIR – Art Infinity Radio
Project title: B-AIR: Art Infinity Radio – Creating Sound Art for Babies, Toddlers and Vulnerable Groups
Type: Collaboration with the University of Ljubljana Career Centres
Duration: 2020–2023
Lead institution: RTV Slovenia – Radio Slovenia
Partner institutions: AAU_CRESSON, Centre for Research on Sonic Space and the Urban Environment, Grenoble National School of Architecture, Université Grenoble Alpes (France); BAZAART Representative Association in Culture (Belgrade, Serbia); Jožef Stefan Institute (Ljubljana, Slovenia); International Burch University (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina); Public Media Institution Radio Television of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia); RadioTeatar Bajsić and Friends (Zagreb, Croatia); TWIXTlab AMKE (Athens, Greece); University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio, Finland)
Academy of Music contributors: Assoc. Prof. Dr Katarina Habe and Assist. Prof. Dr Katarina Zadnik
Project website: https://www.rtvslo.si/b-air
B-AIR was a three-year project led by Radio Slovenia. Under its leadership, nine partner organisations from seven European countries explored the role of sound in human development, beginning in the embryonic stage. The project was developed through close collaboration among artists and internationally renowned experts in developmental psychology, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, psychoacoustics, music therapy, music education, and other related fields. This collaboration resulted in new radiophonic and musical content for babies, toddlers, and vulnerable groups. The project aimed to create sound art for babies, toddlers, and vulnerable groups for an online art radio channel supported by innovative technology.