First Thursday: Engaging with neurodivergent learners

About
Daphne’s approach to music education places the student firmly at the centre of the learning experience and in this presentation, she will discuss how celebrating and taking advantage of individual diversity, can lead to creative and artistic outcomes that benefit everyone. Some of the topics addressed will include
• managing anxiety amongst neurodiverse children.
• creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
• identifying obstacles to learning.
• awareness of and distinguishing between visual and aural processing mechanisms in the brain.
• using performance as a positive learning experience.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Daphne Proietto
Daphne completed her Bachelor of Music and Education at the University of Melbourne in 1972 and in 1973 she was awarded an Australia Arts Council grant to study music therapy and Dalcroze eurhythmics in London. On her return to Australia, she established a music therapy program at Caulfield Rehabilitation Hospital and from 1977 taught piano and music & movement classes. In 1999 she began teaching two highly autistic students which was the beginning of her journey working with neurodiverse students. She has presented her work at ISME Bologna and ISME Beijing and in 2015 a 60 Minutes report resulted in her being inundated with requests to teach other neurodiverse children of all ages and abilities. In response, the Keys of Life Foundation was established by a group of her students’ parents to train other teachers in the skills and strategies that she had developed. She continues to teach piano and music & movement privately as well as mentor music educators who have a passion in working with neurodiverse people.
First Thursday
These regular professional development sessions were originally the brainchild of MTA Member Annette Allerding, who wanted music teachers to be able to meet and share ideas. Originally named Keys, Cakes and Conversation (KCC) the group went online during Covid, and eventually reached numbers often in excess of 50 teachers, meeting each month on Zoom. The Music Teachers' Association of NSW is delighted to bring these sessions into our fold. We want the sessions to continue to be free to our members, but we also believe it is important to pay presenters for their valuable time. So we ask you to consider a giving a donation towards the costs if you are able. You will be given the option to donate when you book your place.
Date
Thursday 4 September 2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
Online via Zoom