Director, Practitioner, Trainer, Author & International Speaker
With over 35 years of experience in the early childhood sector and a Master of Education (incorporating a Graduate Certificate in Autism), my career has blended music, child development, and brain science. I have trained and inspired educators across Australia and internationally, delivering lectures, in-service training, and conference presentations on topics including:
- Behaviour guidance and emotional regulation
- Brain development and early learning
- Sensory processing and integration
- Music and movement in education
- Neurodivergence and autism
- Early Childhood music
From the moment I began playing piano and pipe organ at the age of four, music has been at the heart of my life. I followed that passion to the Conservatorium of Music, completing my Bachelor of Arts (Music) in 1989, and later training as a Yamaha teacher. Teaching young children quickly became my joy, which led me to graduate studies in Early Childhood Education and eventually into the world of Kindermusik, where I have been a licensed educator since 1997. Across nearly three decades of teaching Kindermusik, I have received multiple accolades from Kindermusik International, among them the highly regarded Maestro of Masterful Teaching award.
“I think I was very fortunate to have the best when I began my early childhood music training. Diana’s wealth of experience and classroom knowledge made the program that much easier to understand and translate into practical use.
Every class and every child is so different and having a mentor who could offer different strategies for these situations was so valuable. I think I still use some of these on stage now.”
Tina Harris – Lah Lah’s Big Live Band
Additional Needs Expertise
Growing up with a sister who has significant disabilities gave me unique insight into the world of additional needs. That lifelong perspective, combined with professional training, has shaped my work with children who face a variety of challenges including autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, developmental delays, dyslexia, and retained primitive reflexes.
Over 2 Decades as a Certified Practitioner in TLP
Since 2000, I have also been a certified practitioner in The Listening Program (TLP) with Advanced Brain Technologies. This work has deepened my understanding of auditory processing and the profound role sound plays in learning, behaviour, and wellbeing.
Trainer, Author and International Speaker
For more than 20 years, I have worked as a guest lecturer and trainer for universities, professional conferences, and early childhood organisations across Australia and overseas. My training merges music, brain development, sensory health, and practical classroom strategies to empower educators to think outside the box and better support the children in their care.
When I’m not teaching or presenting, I love writing children’s books that use rhyme, rhythm, and storytelling to spark literacy, imagination, and joy.
Who I Work With:
I work with educators, children and families impacted by:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD/ADD
- Developmental delays
- Sensory and motor coordination challenges
- Emotional regulation and executive function difficulties
- Dyslexia and reading comprehension delays
- Hearing and vision impairments
I do this through:
- Piano lessons (in person and remote)
- 1 on 1 music sessions (tailored to the needs of each child)
- Individualised Sound Therapy (TLP)
- Primitive Reflex Training
- Workshops and seminars for educators and health professionals
- Mentoring for consulting for childcare and other early childhood settings
Above all, I am passionate about helping every child reach their full potential, supporting families, and inspiring educators with practical tools that truly make a differen
Certified in Brain Story
Early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.
A physical building is only as strong as its foundation. If the foundation is weak, cracks and structural damage can appear over time, compromising the safety of the building.
The same works for our brains. A child’s early experiences affect the actual architecture of the brain and adverse experiences early in life can impair brain architecture, with negative effects lasting into adulthood.
Brain Story is the study of epigenetics – which is how these early experiences with children affect the brain. It is an exciting and revealing area of study that further explains just how important early experiences are, not just as a child, but for the rest of their life. That is why Diana looks at a child’s history from pregnancy to present day; it is all part of what makes up the current picture.
While it is possible to change brain architecture, there are small windows as children get older that allow for it. The brain’s ability to change in response to experiences is highest between 0 – 2 years and gene expression can even change depending on the types of experiences during this time.
