Elizabeth Morgan AM

Opening Address

AUSTA’s Golden Jubilee: Reflections on String Teaching in Australia

Founding President of AUSTA, Elizabeth Morgan AM reflects on the string teaching profession past and present, tertiary study, methodologies and examinations bringing into view what most readily encourages the realisation of potential in any student today. A passionate and steadfast believer in the idea of AUSTA, Elizabeth Morgan kept AUSTA going even though it was a heavy burden on her life from time to time. With more than six decades of teaching at the highest international level one of Australia’s greatest teachers takes stock and may ask some provocative questions. What informs – or should inform our profession today in the different contexts of teaching? How did we get here and where might we be heading? And most importantly: What advances the potential of the student towards its full realisation?

About Elizabeth Morgan AM

For over 60 years Elizabeth Morgan has influenced the development of string teaching and playing in Australia. Widely known, she taught for many years at the University of Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Griffith University.

Former students have forged fine performing and teaching careers nationally and internationally. She has conducted and adjudicated within Australia and overseas presenting lectures, workshops and seminars.

Elizabeth initiated a number of organisations which have nurtured Queensland and Australian string players. These include the National Youth Concerto Competition within the Queensland Youth Orchestra, the Australian Strings Association promoting national conferences bringing international performers and pedagogues to tour to all states, and International Workshops in 2001, Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and the Taabinga Spring Music Festival.

The first course on string pedagogy was introduced to Australia in 1976 at the University of Queensland. She toured innovative teaching programs touring throughout Australia and New Zealand and lectured in USA for ASTA. Involved at all levels of the music scene including ABC, ANAM and Education Queensland, Elizabeth has received numerous awards including an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Queensland and an Order of Australia in 2013