MENZA Conference Online: Bigger, Better, Brains – Music education and brain development with Dr Anita Collins

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. Anita is best known for her role as on-screen expert and campaign lead for the ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ documentary that aired on the ABC in late 2018 and author of ‘The Music Advantage’. She is internationally recognized for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Anita brings a wealth of experience as an active educator to every presentation. She is an experienced classroom teachers and conductor (Canberra Grammar School), has been musical director for three award winning productions and she has over a decade of experience as a teacher educator across all areas of tertiary education (University of Canberra and the Australian National University).

Neuroscience and psychology researchers have done extensive studies over the last 20 years to understand how the brain processes music and why music learning seems to be such a cognitively unique activity. Musically trained children have better language and communication skills, can focus for longer and are more likely to stick with difficult problems until they solve them, they are able to control their own emotional responses and understand emotional responses of others and they have significantly better working and long-term memory systems. These enhancements then support higher levels of overall academic achievement, motivation, stress management, self-regulation and awareness. Most notably, music learning has been found to improve neural communication issues associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and reading and language learning delays. The research is now starting to reveal why music learning is so effective at enhancing brain function. Come along and hear Dr Collins speak about this exciting and impactful research. Web: www.anitacollinsmusic.comFacebook: @dranitacollinsFounderBigger Better BrainsWeb: www.biggerbetterbrains.comFacebook: @BiggerBetterBrainsTwitter: @bb_brains

This free workshop is open to non-MENZA members too. Please register here to obtain the ZOOM link for the meeting.