Allison is a music teacher with 30 years of experience. Although she has taught music privately at primary and early secondary school level, an unexpected career detour led her to discover that early childhood music education was her ‘pedagogical home’. Allison also has a strong interest in early language development. Allison holds a PhD from the University of Wollongong (UOW). Her research investigated the effects of an early childhood music program upon preschool children’s language skills. She has worked as an academic and research assistant at UOW on projects in a range of areas including early childhood education, parenting supports for Indigenous families (Lead My Learning), and applications of multi-sensory environments for a range of user groups (SMILE project). In addition to working in education, Allison previously coordinated and led a government funded program of mobile supported playgroups and has worked in multidisciplinary early intervention teams supporting preschool-aged children and their families. In addition to a PhD, Allison holds a Master of Education specialising in learning difficulties (Edith Cowan University), a primary education degree (University of New England) and a music teaching qualification (Trinity College London). Allison now joins the ORICL Team as a Research Assistant.
