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About Anita.
Dr. Anita Collins is an esteemed educator and author, widely recognised for her work in brain development and music education.
Dr. Anita Collins is renowned for her research into the neurological effects of music education, demonstrating how music learning can enhance brain development and improve various cognitive skills. She explores the connection between music engagement and increased neural activity, suggesting that playing and learning music can boost academic and social performance for children. Anita effectively communicates her findings through various platforms, aiming to influence educational policies and practices by emphasising the benefits of music in schools.
Anita's engagement with nearly 100 researchers globally, ensures her educational insights remain at the forefront. Her expertise is increasingly in demand, contributing to South Australia’s Music Education Strategy and earning recognition for her television roles in "Don’t Stop the Music," a documentary, and educational pieces like her TED-Ed lesson and TEDx Talk, emphasising the importance of music education from birth. In 2018, she received the Educators Award at the Australian Women in Music Awards.
Through her initiative, "Music Education: Right from the Start," and the "LearnGauge" platform, Anita aims to transform music education, offering data-driven strategies and tools for educators. She has served as an advisor to numerous education and music organizations, including the Department of Education Victoria and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. A prolific writer, Anita's work spans from "The Lullaby Effect" to contributions in The Age and peer-reviewed journals.
Awarded a Churchill Impact Grant in 2022 for developing an online assessment tool for music programs, Anita also secured a contract for an online tool aiding teachers in assessing their musical understanding. Her experience includes being a classroom teacher, conductor, musical director for award-winning productions, and teacher educator at universities, showcasing her comprehensive expertise in music education.