Creative ID: 61
Christchurch area, Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Dunedin, Timaru, Omaru, Auckland area.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I help schools, with or without musically trained staff, create and build music programmes and projects for their students and their whānau, pre-K through year 10. I established these programmes from 1998–2011 in the United States where they had a proven track record of success. Having immigrated to New Zealand and now a permanent resident with teachers certification I have brought my programmes to a number of schools in the Christchurch area and hope to help schools throughout New Zealand use musical activities to support well-being, academic progress and community. My programmes are 'turn-key': easy to use and easy to continue in the future without additional outside support.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- Certified and experienced classroom music teacher 25 years USA: New York City private and public schools
- Certified and experienced classroom music teacher New Zealand: Christchurch private and public schools
- Certified and experienced Professional Development provider: State of New Jersey, USA / Jersey City, Hoboken, Gutenberg public schools, Victory Charter Schools and other Charter schools and charter school companies
- Professional Development provider New Zealand schools through MENZA
- Conductor New Zealand: two Orchestras, a Concert Band, Guest Conductor various orchestras.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have over 35 years of classroom teaching experience and have also taught school-wide workshops, parent workshops and professional development. I have taught all ages pre-K through year 13 as well as tertiary, teachers, adult learners and parents. I create programmes and projects that allow all learners whatever their age, with or without musical knowledge or background, to experience the joy of music making and to learn through the art of music intellectual, emotional, social and physical skills that can be applied throughout their lives. I am especially focused on delivering content that supports diverse learners in the classroom. My programmes in the USA were especially successful for those with learning support needs, ESOL, low decile and minority ethnic and racial group learners. I have in the past eight years realigned my USA creative programmes to meet the needs of New Zealand learners including but not limited to: Māori, Pasifika, ESOL, learning support needs, and low decile populations. Creativity is a universal concept and I have so far brought these programmes to New Zealand schools and teachers with initial success.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
Since I moved to New Zealand over eight years ago I have been looking for a way to bring my already established and successful music programmes to schools. The Creatives in Schools programme will help schools find out about my easy to utilise and cost-effective creative programmes.