Creative ID: 760
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I specialise in vocal-based music projects, and in particular a programme that develops confidence and skills for students to understand music through a singing and games-based approach to learning. I want to help students become strong, independent singers and musicians, who can express themselves musically, who are literate in music, can read, write and create music with ease. My approach and training is based in the Kodály approach, which is based on structured and sequential learning while giving children an engaging, joyful experience of music. Through singing games and rhymes, in the hands of a skilful teacher, children develop fluency and confidence that enables them to be lifelong musicians.
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
I was a founding member of the Canterbury Musical Parenting Association, before founding a music Trust. Although I started my teaching career working with young people, I have had a strong focus for the last few decades on working with adults, especially those who missed out on a solid music education, and am excited to be bringing some of my focus back to young people. My background is as a songwriter, community choir leader, arranger and singing teacher with a strong interest in making music education more holistic and accessible. I have trained in the Estill approach to singing, completed two Orff levels, and am completing my Kodály certification this year. I lead several choirs in Christchurch and lead workshops for singers throughout New Zealand, including the life changing 'Reclaim Your Voice' courses for people who think they can't sing. I am recognised throughout New Zealand for my transformational approach to teaching.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have been teaching and facilitating music making for many decades. As a young adult, my first teaching job was to teach guitar in a music school in Adelaide. Since then I have built a life around teaching and creating community through music. I have taught and run choirs at a number of schools as well as several short projects and O.S.C.A.R. programmes, and have led music workshops for all ages, from pre-schoolers, to teenagers and adults, all over New Zealand. My training in the Orff and Kodály approach positions me to understand teaching music from a child development perspective, where the concepts are fully understood and embodied before being 'named' or written down. I am interested in empowering learners to have the tools needed to fully express themselves musically. For this to happen, they need to understand music fully.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I started my career working with young people, but have spent many years working with adults. I am disappointed that young people are still being excluded from choirs, and having experiences at school that puts them off singing and making music. I want to help to turn around this situation. I've been training in the Kodály approach to music learning. This approach is incredibly empowering for students, and I'd like the opportunity to demonstrate how music can be a universally accessible activity, and that students can achieve at a high level, while also having fun in a cooperative, creative learning environment. In addition, my music Trust would like to partner with schools to improve their teaching of music.