Music, theater and autistic communities – with Madge Woollard

Music, theater and autistic communities – with Madge Woollard

Author: Carolyn Kiel August 22, 2022 Duration: 25:26

Madge Woollard has run her own business teaching piano and keyboard since 1994. Madge was diagnosed autistic in 2016 at the age of 44. She lives in Sheffield UK with her wife who is also late-diagnosed autistic.

A graduate of Cambridge University, she teaches children and adults, privately and in schools, and is keen to specialize in working with neurodivergent students. She is also a member of Spectrum Theatre company, which features neurodivergent and neurotypical performers.

During this episode, you will hear Madge talk about:

  • How she and her wife got their autism diagnoses
  • How she struggled to find a teaching job and decided to start her own business instead
  • Her success with teaching piano to autistic and non-autistic students
  • Finding a sense of belonging within local autistic communities, including the Autscape conference and the Spectrum Theatre company
  • The intersections of autistic and LGBTQ+ identities

Madge also wrote a chapter for the book "Learning from Autistic Teachers: How to Be a Neurodiversity-Inclusive School." Find out more about the book here.

Connect with Madge at the links below:

Official Website: mwoollard.webs.com
LinkedIn: Madge Woollard
Facebook: Madge Woollard Piano and Keyboard Tuition
Twitter: @funkiepiano

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

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Read the episode transcript.

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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