Robyn Staveley
APEX Presenter
Currently based in:
Sydney, NSWRobyn is a teacher, lecturer, presenter and researcher. She has been involved in Orff Schulwerk organisations, committees and training for over 30 years. From her many years teaching music to children from pre-school to upper secondary, and then teaching in universities, she became fascinated in cognitive neuroscience and how humans learn, and especially, the implications for teaching.
Robyn’s sessions and workshops are designed to lead participants through experiences that embody musical learning, then reflect on the neuroscience that underpins the practice.
APEX Key Session 1 | Monday, 6th January 2025 | 11:45am - 1:00pm
APEX Key Session 1 | Tuesday, 7th January 2025 | 9:00am - 10:15am
APEX Key Session 1 | Tuesday, 7th January 2025 | 11:45am - 1:00pm
The Neuroscience of Tools and Learning
When we use tools, such as musical instruments, but also objects, other people, and repertoire, we externalise our thinking. In a group setting, this allows others to observe, interact with and build upon a collective cognition. This session will use tools to actively engage with composition concepts, through moving, vocalising, playing and improvising. We will then look at the cognitive neuroscience that underpins this approach.
APEX Key Session 2 | Wednesday, 8th January 2025 | 11:45am - 1:00pm
APEX Key Session 2 | Thursday, 9th January 2025 | 9:00am - 10:15am
APEX Key Session 2 | Thursday, 9th January 2025 | 11:45am - 1:00pm
A Cup, a Jig and a Bucket: The Neuroscience of Memory, Skill Development and Language
Through playing cup games, dancing a jig, and chair, stick and bucket music, participants will reflect upon how memory is developed, how perception and action develop skills, and how language is grounded in the action of the body.
PEAK Elective Session | Monday, 6th January 2025 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Chair Dancing and the Lone Ranger - Explorations in the Four Pillars of Learning
Using tools, play, and speech, this session will explore the neuroscience of the learning process. Activities (Chair dancing and Chair and Stick), are suitable for adaptation to all ages, from young children, to teens, adults, seniors and those with special needs. The process will be enacted through the music of Rossini (and the Lone Ranger).
APEX All-In Session | Tuesday, 7th January 2025 | 8:30am - 9:00am
Embodiment and Cognition
Moving together, singing together, engaging with repertoire together builds musical attunement. This session will play with attuning to each other and musical concepts through embodiment.