Dr Anna Mlynek-Kalman PhD
Director

Anna, Ph.D, M. Ed., M. Mus Ed., B. Ed., Dip. Teach., A.Mus. A. (flute), has taught and directed music programs with children from K-year 12 for over 40 years at many schools both here in Australia and abroad. She founded Music Works Magic

having completed her Master’s Degree in Music Education with a Kodaly emphasis in the United States in 1996. Recognising the need for organic music programs that begin with parents and neonates, she launched an education and resource centre, offering classes for children. She designed training courses for adults working with children and continues to offer courses and ongoing mentorship. Anna tutored aural musicianship at Melbourne University for five years. She has presented lectures, papers and workshops at conferences, universities, schools and preschools to teachers, teacher trainees and students. Anna continues to offer mentorship and professional learning and development to teachers and heads the Music Works Magic team who run classes at our studios, in preschools and early learning centres. Anna continues to teach parents and children, directs the Magic Voices Children’s Choir, Toot Suite, Toot Encore and Tooty Fruity recorder groups and the Uke’N Play family classes.

In 2020 her PhD. Agentic Voices, Transformative influences for ECE singing self-efficacy and musical identity was ratified by Monash University. It was the culmination of a six year longitudinal study working with Early Childhood Educators, researching the effect of early childhood musical experiences and creating an effective framework to help early childhood educators, teachers and carers find their singing voices alongside their children. She has created online preliminary courses explaining the research to enable educators to take initial steps to vocalise and sing with their children.

Informed by her research, Anna runs training courses specifically for adults wishing to gain confidence when working with babies-8yr olds and offers the Kodaly preschool teacher training course. She supports her instrumental teaching staff, offering assessments, advice, exam and performance opportunities as well as support to parents, students and teachers ensuring a smooth path for her students embarking or progressing through their musical journey.

She has produced 5 CDs and accompanying Teachers’ Manuals and continues to donate proceeds from the CDs to the Learning for Life Autism Centre and Ausimed – Breast Cancer Research Project.

Anna has also written and published:
– Sing and Stum Guitar Fun,
– Uke’n Sing & Strum Sing, dance and play songs from around the world with friends and family
– COO-EE! Giving Agency to our Voices: From Vocal Play to Song,
– YOO-HOO! Collaborative Learning through Musical Play and Discovery in Early Childhood: A Music Framework
– The Little Red Hen Picture Cards with mp3 Download
– On A Log Picture Cards

Anna and her staff are passionate about building strong musical foundations for life-long musicking and take much pride in offering high quality music education. Together they create programs that offer a sound developmental, and educational base for children from before birth and into adulthood.

Ron Saunders

Accounts Manager

Ron joined Music Works Magic as our Marketing Manager in September 2024 and currently heads up the accounts department,.

Ron works Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Ariella Hain

Desk Staff

Ariella joined Music Works Magic in 2023  and is currently studying 

.

Ariella works Tuesday and Thursday.