WAMTA Webinar

Join us on Tuesday 21 October 2025 for 1 hr 15mins interactive discussion on Engaging with neurodivergent learners through practical music making – teaching and learning in action by Daphne Proietto.

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

1. managing anxiety amongst neurodiverse children.

2. creating a positive and engaging learning environment.

3. identifying obstacles to learning.

4. awareness of and distinguishing between visual and aural processing mechanisms in the brain.

5. using performance as a positive learning experience.

 

Short bio

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.

This webinar will be recorded and made available to registrants after the event.

Discounts for Music Teacher Association members

Discounted professional development is just one of many perks of joining a Music Teachers' Association!

• WA Music Teachers' Association members receive 50% off the registration fee

• Members of other Australian MTAs receive 40% off the registration fee - please contact your local MTA for the discount code