Understanding the minds of neurodivergent students can completely transform how we approach teaching. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood diagnoses: dyslexia. This week, I’m sharing a powerful webinar replay from Dr. Olivia Colomaio, a dyslexic pianist and educator who brings both personal experience and deep research to the table. She breaks down how dyslexia affects music learning, highlights the strengths of dyslexic students, and gives you practical strategies to build a more inclusive studio environment.

• Tim introduced the episode as part of the month-long focus on neurodivergent teaching strategies.
• Olivia shared her personal journey as a dyslexic pianist and educator.
• She explained how dyslexia affects music reading and decoding rhythms.
• Common traits like visual overstimulation and anxiety in dyslexic learners.
• The value of recognizing dyslexic students’ strengths like pattern recognition and spatial reasoning.
• How dyslexic students often use the right brain for reading and thinking in pictures.
• She shared her experience preparing for a concerto competition
• Strategies that helped her memorize music.
• Key strengths of dyslexic learners including compensatory ingenuity and intrinsic motivation.
• Classroom accommodations: multisensory methods, score modifications, and visual aids.
• Examples of color-coded notation and score adjustments that help students understand rhythms and notes.
• The importance of creating safe, patient, and inclusive studio environments was discussed.
• She advised giving students time to process and using affirming language to build confidence.
• Understanding the “why” behind teaching strategies for better retention among dyslexic learners.
• Full Q&A segment of the webinar with Tara Wright.

Links Mentioned

• Get your SUPER EARLY BIRD tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
• Find out more about Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students Course here.
• Check out all TopMusic Courses here.
• Join our Lite Plan here to watch the webinar.

Today’s Guest

Olivia Grace Colomaio (Bradstreet) is a pianist, accompanist, teacher, and doctoral candidate in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. She teaches lessons in piano, accompanying, composition, and music theory, and she loves teaching students of all ages, interests, experience levels, and backgrounds! Originally from Bath, NY, she earned her master’s in piano pedagogy and performance from Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY), and her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, NY). Her research focuses on discovering and providing resources for students with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence. Olivia currently resides in Lexington, South Carolina.

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