Donna Dyson
Award-Winning Songwriter, Speaker, Educator & Author
Donna Dyson is a multi-award-winning Australian songwriter, keynote speaker, childhood educator and author. Named APRA-ASA Australian Songwriter of the Year and National Ambassador for Vision Australia, Donna is recognised internationally for her creativity, resilience and inspiring story of triumph over adversity.
As a professional development facilitator and keynote presenter, Donna delivers powerful workshops on creativity, resilience, leadership, childhood education, and the power in music to encourage literacy and learning. Her sessions inspire organisations, schools and communities to think differently, collaborate boldly, embrace innovation and inspire resilience.
Alongside her acclaimed music labels Spotty Kites, Donna Dyson & Friends, and Dyson & Young, Donna’s songs are globally distributed, internationally awarded, and widely performed.
Book Donna Dyson today for conferences, professional development workshops, or inspirational speaking events.
Literacy Through Music
Spotty Kites is Donna Dyson’s internationally award-winning children’s label, signed globally to MGM and streamed on all major platforms and services. With a focus on literacy through music, it has charted at #1 over 50 times on the Australian children’s iTunes charts and is loved by children and adults around the world.
Every song is composed and resourced by early childhood experts, performed by quality vocal artists and symphony orchestra instrumentalists, and scored for school and community choirs. An Australian production celebrated both locally and internationally, Spotty Kites has been featured on ABC Kids Listen and children’s radio stations across the globe.
Queensland Music Awards (QMA) Best Children’s Music 2023: Walk around Wednesday- Spotty Kites!
Thank you to ACPA and our good friend Paul for his wonderful contribution to this track. A Special thanks to his vocal coach Greg and our amazing producer Will Hughes
Vision Australia
Carols by Candlelight and Channel 9 premiere Donna Dyson's latest carol LIGHT UP THE YEAR !!
Performed by the beautiful heart and artistry of Gorgi Coghlan.
This song is a guaranteed show stopper and the kind of carol which will be a favourite in years to come!
Donate Now to Vision Australia Christmas Appeal to help LIGHT UP EVERY YEAR !!
The label Dyson & Young is the powerhouse of co-writing partners Donna Dyson and Craig Allister Young. Their chance meeting led to collaborations, projects and compositions and many awards. These works feature within their adult contemporary and chorale music label. Donna and Craig specialise in ballads, Christmas music and themed chorale pieces. Craig is also an arranger and cellist for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Symphony for Tomorrow - Queensland Symphony Orchestra Project.
Nominated for an APRA ART AWARD, this Queensland Symphony Project forged significant partnerships with schools, gifted instrumentalists, choirs and songwriters alike. The final Qld Symphony Orchestra concert in Cairns was performed to an appreciative standing ovation of 4000 strong. Donna was one of three Creative Directors of this project.
“It was magnificent seeing these selected students blossom through the Symphony For Tomorrow team. Many students are reaching their music dreams and will one day be our colleagues."
Australian Songwriting National Awards:
The APRA –ASA: Australian Songwriting Association Awards shortlisted Donna and a selection of her prolific cowriters for 23 nominated songs. Donna’s children’s label Spotty Kites is highly recognised in the children’s music and content industry and became the Children’s Song of the Year recipient in last years’s awards for the song How to Make and Easter Hat!. Also, Three Flags Australia-Colours We Love was highly awarded in three catergories.
Donna and Co-Writer Damien Leith are previous Australian Songwriters of the Year Winners.
Donna’s expansive music catalogue and awards were honoured for her prolific contribution to songwriting. Stay tuned for late September 2023 when this year’s national awards are announced.
Donna Dyson was honoured as the Composer in Residence Brisbane Sings at QPAC Concert Hall (QLD). “It has been my honour to compose new songs to unite community voices, hearts and music for the betterment of all. Brisbane Sings is a sea of joy!”
"Donna approaches her art with sensitivity and warmth and it shines through her beautiful music. It is a joy and privilege to sing and perform her music. We look forward to singing her divine music again in the future."
- MS TARITA BOTSMAN -CREATIVE DIRECTOR (THE 7 SOPRANOS)
Sydney 102.5 FM In Conversation: Feature Artist Donna Dyson
Fine Music 102.5 presenter Michael Morton-Evans welcomes Donna Dyson to his feature program In Conversation. They chat candidly about Donna’s childhood, professional breadth of Education and Lecturing and delight in her achievement in music against all odds of being legally blind.
Donna Dyson is a National Ambassador for Vision Australia.
Due to a sudden medical diagnosis in 2012, Donna was left legally blind. She lost her sight but gained her vision and can be booked for inspirational speaking events through the contact page on this website. Donna's optimism & resilience is often shining through various promotion material for the organisation.
Donna was The Lions Club of Australia National White Cane Award recipient for Advocacy and Ambassadorship.
Click the link above to watch ABC's David Iliffe who created an inspirational feature story on Donna Dyson's journey of creativity and resilience.
Spirit of Australia was written by Donna Dyson and Damien Leith.
AUSTRALIAN SONG OF THE YEAR- APRA-ASA
Spirit of Australia© Donna Dyson and Damien Leith, performed by Damien Leith, is available for download NOW. This Australian anthem birthed it’s International debut in Vienna and Prague, returning to Australia to win the Song of the Year. Buy your copy by clicking on the blue button above. Choral and orchestra scores can be licensed by contacting Donna.
Click the link above to watch the news feature! Donna Dyson was commissioned by The Glennie School composing the feature song "Spirit Of Australia" performed at the Summa Cum Laude International Festival in Vienna, Austria. The choir performed this piece in Italy, Vienna and Prague during the tour. Donna was honoured to personally hear the choir performing.
Click the link above to watch the "Spirit Of Australia" performed at Prague's Smetanas Concert Hall Czech Republic.
Spirit of Australia© - Donna Dyson, Damien Leith
Donna Dyson reports from Salzburg on the Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival.
Click HERE to download the song!
Click on the link above to read the two page feature on Donna Dyson which was printed in regional Saturday papers from far north Queensland to southern NSW. A story of resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.
Donna has experienced an exceptional past four years being mentored by the best. Rick Price has not only greatly influenced Donna's compositions, but shared his stage with her as they sang the beautiful "You Are Not Alone" as a duet, from Rick's album.
The dynamic songwriting team of Donna Dyson and Damien Leith hold a prolific catalogue, crossing various genres. The highly awarded duo have been awarded the Australian Song and Songwriters of the Year award by APRA ASA. Click the link above to listen to Damien chat about their partnership.
CoWriting team Donna Dyson and Tyrone Noonan
Donna and Tyrone are a prolific and diverse partnership: Walk For You, Utopia , Black Dog, Music Is For All, Once Again, Truth form half of the UTOPIA? album performed nationally and internationally by Tyrone. These songs have been nationally awarded. Their next ventures are in the pipeline so watch this space.
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Children all over Australia are singing Donna’s latest fun choral compositions. Make contact with Donna through this website to discuss writing for your choir, or school, or license her music for your next repertoire. You can find more at www.spottykites.com
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Francecsa's Flowers
Flowers feed the Soul and are all Kinds of Happy. We love feeding Donna’s Soul with beautiful blooms.