Lorna Parker is a presenter, consultant and trainer who is passionate about how we can use our knowledge of the brain to help us understand, improve - and celebrate - human behaviour. She has a teaching degree, a BA and a Masters in Educational Administration, and has been presenting professional development and adult learning for more than two decades.
Lorna works with organisations, disability services, educational institutions, groups and individuals to expand what they sense and know, and improve their organisation and performance. She presents workshops on creative music education and has written resources for music education. Her work “Music and Dance for the Regular and Special Classroom”, in collaboration with colleague, Diana Humphries, was a best seller and a text for university courses.
As a school principal for 15 years, and a teacher for a lot longer, Lorna studied the workings of the brain from the point of view of a “learning technician ”.
Lorna:-

• was the founding President of the Orff Schulwerk Association in NSW in the early seventies
• was President of the Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk Associations for a number of years
• has presented creative music and dance sessions around NSW, interstate and overseas
• has written extensively on music education and has had this work and original song material published in many countries including the USA
• was Music Consultant at Directorate of Studies contributing to NSW K-6 Music curriculum
• was honoured in 2001 to have a national award named after her and two colleagues who were also instrumental in the early promotion of the Orff approach in Australia.
• Lorna holds office in Zonta International (advancing the status of women) and is a Paul Harris fellow, Rotary International’s highest award.

On a personal note, Lorna enjoys her grandchildren, Harley Davidson trikes, combat workouts at the gym, sleeping under the stars on the beach, revering Mother Earth and playing in a Baroque wind ensemble.

“What strikes a chord in YOUR brain?: Developing and Exploring your Musical Brain Profile”

Session Abstract

This session will move on from confining musical brain events to the right hemisphere, and explore music as a whole-brain/body experience. Participants will develop a profile of their own musical brains, and increase their understanding of how to “read” – and RESPECT - the musical profiles of students and colleagues.

Controversial issues, like the impact formal music study has on the “natural” musical brain, will not be avoided.

Each aspect of profiling will be illustrated / informed by practical examples of music-making and moving and will culminate in a whole-brain/body “performance”.