Leslie Bunt
is one of the world's most respected music therapy practitioners, trainers and researchers. As one of the UK's foremost music therapy pioneers he achieved the country's first PhD in Music Therapy in 1985. He is currently Emeritus Professor in Music Therapy at the University of the West of England, Bristol, having retired from the position of Professor in Music Therapy in September 2020, a post he held since 2005 and the first such position in British university. He was awarded an MBE in June 2009 for services to music therapy and in 2012 became a Honorary Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. In 2013 Leslie became a Freeman of the Company.
His reputation has grown over 40 years, working in the UK as an experienced registered music therapist with children and adults of all ages and both nationally and internationally as a music therapy trainer, supervisor and researcher.
Leslie Bunt founded The MusicSpace Trust, a registered charity promoting music therapy nationwide, with the first community-based centre opening in Bristol in 1991. At the peak of its activity MusicSpace employed over 50 therapists working in the UK, seeing over 1300 children and adults for music therapy through five regions of the UK. Currently the charity works from its first centre in Bristol.
While remaining Honorary Founder of MusicSpace, Leslie is now devoting time to to developing his private practice, supervision work, teaching and writing from his new base in East Sussex.
He is also a practitioner and Primary Trainer in the specialist use of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). Leslie is widely published and in addition to his work in music therapy is a freelance conductor.