Short bio
I studied Music at York University, England (BA Hons 1974) and, after teaching at Ibstock Place School, London for two years, studied for a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE 1977) at the Froebel Institute, London. Later I completed an MPhil (2003) in Educational Science at the Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Austria.
From 1987 – 2000 I worked as a music and movement teacher for the County of Styria, Austria. I was a lecturer at the Orff Institute, Mozarteum University Salzburg from 1984 – 2019 (Music and Dance in social work and inclusive pedagogy) and was a part-time lecturer at the Universities of Teacher Education in Graz, Austria from 2000 – 2015. I still teach on a number of in-service university courses in Austria. I have published books, a DVD and numerous articles
I have over 45 years experience teaching infants, children, teenagers, and adults with a range of abilities in kindergartens, schools, and other institutions and also in extracurricular contexts – including deaf and hard-of-hearing children, emotionally disturbed children, and children and adults with disabilities, especially in inclusive groups.
My national and international courses and workshops for teachers include topics such as creative work with play songs; creative music and movement in the inclusive classroom; music and movement for people with disabilities; listening – feeling – playing; social learning through games with music and movement; planning with mind maps; time for play; the importance of Joint Attention.
Profil Community Music Netzwerk (auf Deutsch)
.
Long bio
born in 1953 in London.
Attended Ibstock Place School, London, England from 1958 – 1966 and Benenden School, Kent, England from 1966 – 1971.
1971–1974 studied Music at York University, England (BA Hons.) with Prof. John Paynter among others. Private piano studies with Susan Bradshaw, London.
1974–1976 Classroom music teacher for children aged 4 -12 at Ibstock Place School (then Demonstration school of the Froebel Institute), London; leader of the ‘Can’t sing choir’ at Morley College, London.
1974 – 1977 Pianist in the Meridian Ensemble, London
1976–1977 Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Froebel Institute, London, (PGCE London University, England)
1977 moved to Austria. Further training including Rhythmics, Music therapy, Elemental Music and Movement Pedagogy, Integrative and Inclusive Pädagogy, Austrian sign language, AQR (Assessment of the Quality of Relationship)
Studied Educational Science at Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck (MPhil. 2003)
1978–1991 Free-lance teacher in kindergartens and with family groups from the Lebenshilfe etc.
1981–2001 Employed by the County of Styria to teach music and movement in social pedagogy and special education, working with adults with disabilities, behaviourally disturbed children, deaf and hard-of-hearing children, families with disabled children – particularly in inclusive groups in county institutions (Heilpädagogische Station, Landesjugendheime, Förderzentrum für Hör- und Sprachbildung, Landesbehindertenzentrum).
2000–2015 Contracted teacher for music education and eurhythmics at the University of Teacher Education, Styria and at the Private University College of Teacher Education Diocese Graz-Seckau
(KPH Graz – now PPH Augustinum).
25.2. 2015 Awarded the “Goldenes Verdienstzeichen der Republik Österreich” (Gold Decoration of Merit of the Republic of Austria)
Orff-Institute, Mozarteum University Salzburg:
1984 – 2019 Lecturer at the Orff-Institute for Elemental Music and Dance Pedagogy, in ‘Music and Dance in social work and integrative pedagogy’ (MDSI). Director of the one-year MDSI in-service course 2002 – 2018.
Co-director of the one-year postgraduate university course “Advanced Studies in Music and Dance Education – Orff-Schulwerk” (Special Course) 2006 – 2019. Director of the Orff-Institute 2009–2011. Deputy director of the Orff-Institute 2011–2016. Co-director of international Orff-Schulwerk Symposia 2006 (with Barbara Haselbach und Micaela Grüner) and 2016 (with Sonja Stibi and Micaela Grüner). Director and teacher on international summer courses.
Director of the Convention VIELFALT (ER)LEBEN – INTENSIV INKLUSIV. 25 Jahre Studienschwerpunkt ‘Musik und Tanz in sozialer Arbeit und inklusiver Pädagogik’ am Orff-Institut, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg 19th – 21st April 2013
Co-director (with Dr. Erik Esterbauer) of the Convention INTENSIV INKLUSIV – VIELFALT (ER)LEBEN. 30 Jahre Studienschwerpunkt ‘Musik und Tanz in sozialer Arbeit und inklusiver Pädagogik’ am Orff-Institut, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg 16. – 18.11.2018
.
Co-director of the Inklusive Improvisation Project SPIEL RAUM MUSIK (Play Space Music) in Schloss Goldegg, 17. – 20.10.2016 and 4. – 7.6.2018. Trailer 2016 and Film Spiel Raum Musik 2016 (German with English subtitles). Member of the organisational team 2022 and 2024.
.
Since 2018 President of the International Orff-Schulwerk Forum Salzburg (IOSFS). Director of the annual IOSFS conventions since 2019.
Teacher on the EMP Lehrgang KUG Graz and on the in-service course Musik & Inklusion, at the Anton Bruckner Private University, Linz, Austria. Teacher on the in-service course Musik und Tanz in sozialer Arbeit und integrativer Pädagogik and on the postgraduate course Advanced studies in Music and Dance Education – Orff-Schulwerk at the Orff Institute, Mozarteum University Salzburg.
Research interests: Inclusive music education, AQR Assessment of the quality of relationship, Joint Attention, Time in teaching and learning
Courses, Workshops und Lectures in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, USA, Japan, Mexico, Hungary, Denmark, Turkey, Hong Kong, Croatia, Switzerland, Poland, England, Russia, South Korea, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine (online), China (online), Canada (online), Czech Republic (online).
Member of:
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Musikerzieher Österreich AGMÖ,
Interessensgemeinschaft Musik Inklusiv Austria IGMI,
International Orff-Schulwerk Forum Salzburg IOSFS,
Musikpädagogische Forschung Österreichs (Music Education Research Austria) MFÖ,
Österreicher Berufsverband für RhythmikMB ÖBR,
Shirley Salmon 