Bethlehem, Pa., May 6, 2016—International music and arts educator Anita Collins will visit Moravian College for a talk, “Neuroscience and Music Education: What if Every Child Had Access to Music Education from Birth?,” on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Haupert Union Building, UBC Room. The talk is open to the public and admission is free of charge.
In 2014, Anita Collins presented her research on the impact of playing an instrument on the brain for a TEDx talk, which has been viewed over 4.5 million times. Her current work focuses on the impacts of music education on language development and executive function. Collins will present her recent findings and discuss effective ways to incorporate music education in every child’s educational experience. Her presentation will be of interest to all, including students, parents, and educators. There will be an informal reception following the talk.
Collins has worked as a primary and secondary school music educator in both Australia and England. Her broad experience encompasses classroom and instrumental teaching, curriculum design and musical conducting of concert band, orchestral and choral groups and specialist and generalist teacher education.
Collins is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Arts Education at the University of Canberra and has been a Visiting Lecturer at the Australian National University. Collins has also had a long association with Canberra Grammar School and Canberra Girls Grammar School.
Collins is currently involved in a broad range of research projects. These include examining the capacity, adaption and application of music education for early childhood and primary generalist teachers, exploring the improvement of auscultation skills and noise pollution awareness for nursing students through music education, researching alternate music education delivery for disadvantaged children in regional communities and the impact of music education in standardized test scores.
Collins completed her PhD from the University of Melbourne in the area of neuroscience and music education. She is interested in exploring the possible ramifications that findings in the field of neuroscience have on music education. She has discovered a much larger and more complex world of practice, research and advocacy. Currently, she is focusing on the dissemination and application of these neuroscientific findings for music education. Collins has created two short films, and her current research project examines the impact of music education on disadvantaged youth and standardized test scores.
Moravian College encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Diane Husic at husicd@moravian.edu.
The program is sponsored by the Moravian College School of Natural & Health Sciences, and the Departments of Music and Education.