In parts 1, 2 & 3 of this blog series we have learnt a little about the significant findings of neuromusical research over the last 3 decades. In part 4 we learn about Dr Anita Collins and her Bigger Better Brains community, we also will be making an exciting announcement about our new partnership with Anita Collins at the end of this blog.
Anita is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. She is internationally recognised for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student.
Anita’s work first came to prominence when she wrote the script for the highly successful TEDEd video, ‘How playing an instrument benefits your brain’, followed by her TEDx Talk, ‘What if every child had music education from birth?’
She is known for her role as on-screen expert for the Don’t Stop the Music documentary that aired in Australia on ABC1 in 2018 and was awarded the inaugural Australian Women in Music award for Music Education in 2019.
While Anita is still a practising educator in schools, she has been appointed to Creative Chair of Learning and Engagement for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, lead advisor to the South Australian Music Education Strategy and Albert | The Tony Foundation Music Right from the Start advocacy initiative and published The Music Advantage globally in 2020.
Bigger Better Brains initially launched as a Facebook community for music educators to share and learn more about the emerging field of neuromusical research. With so much interest, a global network quickly grew, and the Bigger Better Brains Facebook now has over 14,000 followers.
Today, Bigger Better Brains still brings professionals together but now also has a strong focus on education, learning and affecting positive change. Anita has personally created an accredited educational program specifically written for music educators, a membership offering advocacy resources, support and professional development, as well as a social community to share and learn.
Bigger Better Brains has members all over Australia as well as in Asia, the UK, USA and South America and helps you educate to advocate.
Anita believes that to advocate effectively we need to first educate effectively. To learn more about Anita go to her website www.anitacollinsmusic.com
At Boogie Mites we have always promoted the work of Anita Collins, sharing the Bigger Better Brains Facebook page with all of our trainees and including a short overview of the neuromusical research as part of training sessions covering our music programmes. Development of our music programmes has been informed by this evidence.
We are super excited to be partnering with Anita and look forward to sharing information about a new training video made exclusively for Boogie Mites that will be available soon. The video will be presented by Anita and will cover more details about neuromusical research, with specific reference to early years music practice.
We hope that you have enjoyed our neuroscience blog series throughout October and that it will help you to share the value of regular creative music making with your team.
Happy Boogie-ing!
