Music & Mindset Matters Kristy Russell

EPISODE 27: Can beat-keeping really predict Dyslexia and ADHD? with special guest Dr Anita Collins

I am thrilled to have a return guest joining us this week! Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning, and the founder of Bigger Better Brains (BBB). One of Anita’s talents is translating the Neuroscience research to the everyday parent, teacher, student - a skill she is internationally recognised for. Anita is passionate about advocating for musical learning and is an experienced, agile and sought-after presenter for education, policy, philanthropic, parent and creative audiences. I am eagerly counting down the days where I get to be one of those audience members - my ticket is booked to take part in the BBB 2-day Educator workshop in Hobart this May! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tasmanian music teachers, generalist teachers, Early Childhood professionals, and allied health professionals to learn more about the magic and power of music. I urge you to jump on board!!  ** At the time of airing there are still a few tickets available - the direct link to book is below.

In this episode we delve into


Music and language development
5 ‘beat-keeping’ behaviours that may identify early signs of dyslexia and ADHD in young children
Using musical learning to improve literacy skills in young students
BBB on tour in Scotland, UK, Ireland and the US

You can connect with Dr Anita Collins via these links:

www.anitacollinsmusic.com

https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/shop/p/bbb-educator-course

Great reads:

The Musical Advantage

The Lullaby Effect

TedX talk

EPISODE 26: Tune in to…You!

This week on the Podcast I want to continue the conversation around mindset and using music as a regulation tool. 

I often talk about the importance of being able to ‘connect’ with yourself first and foremost before you can deeply connect with others - being a musician and a bit of a word-nerd, it makes me so happy that I can use the term “TUNE IN” to express this idea!!! Just like when we are ‘tuned in’ to a radio station we are able to hear clearly what is being communicated; so too we are more able to ‘hear’ clearly the messages from our body, inner self and heart when we are tuned in to ourselves. It means we are more likely to actively seek out tools and strategies to maintain a good, healthy relationship with ourselves-  and that in turn extends to the relationships we have with others. 

If you’re curious to find out more about this and you’re around the NorthWest coast of Tasmania on April 6th make sure you’ve got your ticket to the Mini-Retreat I’m holding at the beautiful ‘Two Oaks’ in Somerset. It’s going to be a magical morning of ‘tuning in to you’ with Music, Movement and Mindfulness.

Book tickets here

Music has ALWAYS been in my life - listening to my mother play piano while she was pregnant with me, starting classical piano lessons and performing from the age of 5, singing in choirs and backing vocals for various bands. My relationship with music has grown and changed over the decades, but would you believe that I never actually felt deeply 'confident' and 'connected' to music until I hit my forties?!

Might sound counter-intuitive but Listen in to find out why...!

In this episode I also put out a call to anyone who would like to be a guest on the show - or contribute their musical story in writing if you're not keen on having a chat. The offer is open to anyone, but I'd love to hear from the 'everyday person' not necessarily someone who identifies as a 'musician'  but still loves and uses music, because I think it's important we debunk this myth that a musical person is one who can sing in tune or play an instrument proficiently. Musicality is within us all - we ALL have a musical bone, I am certain of that.

Send me an email at this address if you're interested in sharing your story...

hello@mooversnshakersmusic.com.au

And if you'd like to join me for a magical "New Moon Mini-Retreat" next month here's the link :

Book tickets here

Episode 24: Magical Musical Storytelling with Rennie Pearson

Today’s episode features Rennie Pearson, a wonderfully talented young musician whom our family had the pleasure of hosting recently for an “Acoustic on the Deck” performance among the tranquil gardens of our family farm. Grounded in the Celtic musical traditions, Rennie takes the listener on a journey through history, weaving together tunes and songs and the tales that accompany them to create an intricate and varied show. His engaging stage presence and storytelling opens the door for audiences to connect with the music, which he plays on the wooden flute,guitar, Irish tin whistles, bodhran, fiddle and voice.

Dear listeners - you are in for a treat in this episode - not only do we deep-dive into the world of 


traditional Celtic music 
the art and craft of the wooden flute and Rennie’s time as an apprentice
the power of songs to connect across generations, countries and cultures

Rennie gifts us with not just one, but TWO live performances as well!

It’s no surprise at all that Rennie has made a name for himself in the traditional music scene of Australia and New Zealand as a stand-out solo performer, as well as touring his own duos, bands, and performing with large international stage productions. He has played and taught all over New Zealand, in Australia and in Canada, including music schools such as Ceol Aneas, ScotsStrings, CelticANZ, Gaeltached, Boxwood and folk festivals in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Port Fairy and Portarlington, and most recently the Deloraine Celtic Music Weekend. 

I highly recommend you connect with Rennie and his music - here’s some links:

WEBSITE     https://www.renniepearsonmusic.com/

Listen on YouTube Channel

FACEBOOK  https://www.facebook.com/renniepearsonmusic

OK…time to get yourself comfy and enjoy the Magical Musical Storytelling!

As always, I’d love to hear your feedback after this episode - make sure to give a review, share with a friend and Tag me on socials @mooversnshakersmusic. 

Let's spread the Power and Magic of Music together!

 Episode 23: Do you want to be part of my BETA course?
What’s a BETA course you ask?! Well, put simply it’s a ‘discounted first test run’ of a course with a small amount of selected students.  Students who enrol are not only completing the content but they are also contributing their feedback on all aspects of the course -  the design, content, delivery and even tech aspects! So for a first-time course creator like me, the feedback I get is GOLD…yep, it really is GOLD. It means that when I launch the course to the general public, any bumps will be smoothed out and I can be confident that the content and delivery is well designed to optimise student success.

I believe whole-heartedly in the value of this course that I have created: it is the culmination of all my studies, insights and work experience across a variety of educational settings for the past 25 years. AND of course, my experiences as a parent of two young boys. BUT I’m also very aware that other people may not see things as clearly as me. Because we all learn in our unique way, and we all, as educators, are working within unique learning environments.

If  this sparks your interest you can register to apply as a BETA student using the link below.  You’ll then get an invitation to jump on a quick information call with me to go over the details, answer any questions you have and decide where to go from there!

https://www.mooversnshakersmusic.com.au/musicmindset

Episode 22: Flipping Routines into Rituals

I’m all about making life SIMPLE, JOYFUL and CONNECTED as much as possible these days. I don’t want to just GET BY in life and be an onlooker in my own journey. Don’t get me wrong - this doesn’t mean that everyday life is all rainbows and unicorns!!

What I want to practise each day, and help my children and students to practise is “Having a positive attitude, mindset, outlook” (whatever term resonates with you). To practice ‘flipping’ the story around Routines being ‘suffocating, stressful, too restrictive’ and instead incorporating the sense of meaning and purpose that comes with Rituals. To turn Routines into Rituals! Because there’s magical moments even in the most ‘tiresome’ or ‘boring’ of daily routines and chores…and I‘m determined to keep my mind and heart open and curious to these moments.

And I believe very strongly that I can support Educators and teachers working in the Early Years space to look out for these moments too. Those working with and caring for young children have a fantastic opportunity to use Musical and Mindfulness elements in their daily routines and transitions to create learning environments that have meaning, purpose, great connection and joy. It's what motivates me to keep presenting the online workshop on Thursday 22nd February: “ROUTINES to RITUALS: Using Music & Mindfulness to create calm, connected transitions”. You can still grab your ticket at the link below - there's a 10% discount available until Tuesday night too!

Online workshop discount ticket here

Have a listen to this episode and see what you think. I’d love to hear your feedback after this episode - make sure to give a review, a comment, and share with a friend and Tag me on socials @mooversnshakersmusic.

Let's spread the Power and Magic of Music together!