Dr Amanda Niland, former ECME Commission Chair, holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Early Childhood Education and postgraduate qualifications in Music Education, Montessori Education and Children''s Literature. Amanda has taught in early childhood and school classrooms for more than 20 years, as a generalist teacher and music specialist. Amanda lectures in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, Australia and also works as an early childhood music educator in Early Childhood Intervention. She regularly presents professional development workshops and publications for early childhood educators. Her current research focuses on music and children''s social identity, and inclusive approaches to Early Childhood music education. Amanda has published her research in both Early Childhood and Music Education journals and edited books. She also writes songs, poems and stories for young children and has published two picture books.