Gold Coast University Hospital’s ‘The Piano Project’ is changing lives one melody at a time

The main foyer of a Gold Coast hospital is now filled with sweet melodies daily, thanks to a baby grand piano. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE INSPIRING STORY.

BEYOND a Gold Coast hospital operating theatre, you will find Braden Dinham and his colleagues playing away their stress and troubles.

The main foyer of the Gold Coast University Hospital is now filled with sweet melodies daily, thanks to “The Piano Project” – after the installation of a baby grand with a purpose.

Pianist and cardiac scientist Mr Dinham said he joined the program in March, along with nine other staff members, to reduce his stress levels and be a “smile generator” for others.

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“Music has been good medicine for all, especially during COVID-19,” he said.

“It’s nice to see more and community volunteers coming on board lately too.

“I work long, and often stressful, hours helping with the technical side of cardiac surgery.

“I love coming here on my lunch breaks and getting requests for Shallow (by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper) or Claire de Lune. I love watching everyone’s reaction.”

Cardiac Scientist Braden Dinham. Picture: Jerad Williams

The program is part of Gold Coast Heath’s Creative Health Hub, an initiative to integrate more of the arts into the hospital.

Gallery spaces and a “book nook” can also be found at the health precinct.

The Piano Project founder and music therapist Maddie Bridgland said when times were tough, sometimes words fail but music speaks.

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“Hospital can be a hard time for people but now they can come and listen before their procedures or sometimes they can even hear it from their rooms. It’s a way they can always express their feelings. It seems everyone has a con-nection with music or art. It’s magical.”

The Piano Project plans to extend to Robina Hospital.