AUSTA News 2024

Andrew Moon

July 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Andrew Moon Starting and Supporting Young Bassists Session: Setting up new bassists and young bassists with the tools and skills to succeed. Practical tips and insights into some of the most important skills that will help your bassists to participate and flourish with the other strings. Understanding the differences and the similarities to teaching other strings in order to teach more effectively. Understanding the unique challenges the double bass player faces when playing in ensembles with other strings. Download Notes Bio: Andrew Moon brings a wealth of experience to his string teaching. He spent more than twenty five years as…


Helen Tuckey

July 2nd, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Helen Tuckey Viola Café Originally from Melbourne, Helen studied viola with former Mischa Elman student Andre Hadges, former MSO Principal Viola Paul O’Brien and Lillian Fuchs in New York. A member of WASO since 1982, she has also played and presented chamber music in many schools and communities and recorded for the ABC. An enthusiastic private studio teacher, some of her students themselves are now performers and teachers. As an AMEB examiner, along with others she was involved with viola syllabus development and has commissioned Australian repertoire for viola. She is the regional West Australian representative for the Australian New…


Adrian Petrino & Shannon Luk

June 15th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Adrian Petrino & Shannon Paul Luk (Simply for Strings) Beyond the Setup: Turning a professional instrument into an artist’s tool This session is sponsored by Simply for Strings Session: Every instrument can be set up professionally to produce a great sound, but finding an outstanding sound comes through the consultation, learned experience, technical ability and honed ear of a talented luthier. Many professionals invest a great deal into procuring their forever instrument without ever having it adjusted to the Australian climates and really hearing its true potential. A professional consultation with your luthier ensures your instrument displays its genuine potential…


Yvonne Moore

June 15th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Yvonne Moore (Simply for Strings) Secrets to Regional Success: Keeping our communities connected in a post-pandemic digital world This session is sponsored by Simply for Strings Session: Join Yvonne Moore as she discusses her experience connecting regional students to music. Yvonne is a highly motivated string educator, with over 30 years of experience teaching in regional, remote and metropolitan schools. Yvonne has a first-hand understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with living and teaching regionally. An advocate of music learning and developing educational resources for future generations, Yvonne was teaching students remotely via radio before Zoom was even invented!…


Yvonne Moore & Shannon Luk

June 15th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Yvonne Moore & Shannon Luk (Simply for Strings) Keep it Clean: How to care and maintain your stringed instrument This session is sponsored by Simply for Strings Session: Our Care and Maintenance workshops are a fun, engaging and hands-on way to learn how to care for your string instrument! Full of interaction, encouragement and Q&A, these sessions are a fun way for teachers to become even more involved with their instruments and value-adding to their musical journey. Just like cars, string instruments require 6 and 12-month service maintenance to ensure they continue working and moving efficiently and effectively. In conjunction…


Australian String Quartet

June 15th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Australian String Quartet Performance & Demonstration From the Page to the Stage – bringing new Australian work to life Session Time: 12.00 midday Monday 4th July Since 1985, the Australian String Quartet (ASQ) has created unforgettable string quartet performances for audiences around the world. The ASQ is Dale Barltrop (violin), Francesca Hiew (violin), Christopher Cartlidge (viola) and Michael Dahlenburg (cello). Dedicated to musical excellence with a distinctly Australian flavour, we aim to create chemistry and amplify intimacy through experiences that connect people with string quartet repertoire. From our home base at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music, we…


Adam Edwards

June 6th, 2022 by Emily Dittman

Adam Edwards Introducing the Norwegian Fiddle Session: The evolution of the Hardanger fiddle began from the Indian trade routes which made their way through to Holland. Norwegian traders came to Holland, saw the Indian sitar and were inspired by its sympathetic strings to tinker with their violins – what emerged from their experiments was the Hardanger fiddle! Now deeply embedded in Norwegian tradition, it is used for ceremonies, traditional gatherings, and the Norwegian military do vigorous dances accompanied by the tunes of the Hardanger fiddle. Adam Edwards presents his own modern Australian interpretation of the Hardanger fiddle that is suitable for…


Edith Salzmann

April 10th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Edith Salzmann Cello technique from the 19th Century to today Session: Most of the studies and methods that we all use for teaching originate in the 19th century: Piatti, Servais, Grützmacher, Popper, Franchomme, Kummer and their students Hugo Becker, Julius Klengel, Arnold Földesy and countless others.  But what do we know about these cellists — who was studying with whom? What was different in their approach to technique, sound making and teaching?  The story of cello playing in the 19th century is fascinating and not yet fully understood. With a limited but relevant choice of recordings from performers who were…


Sheau-Fang Low

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Sheau-Fang Low Session 1.5: Coaching Violin/ Viola Students to Play with More Ease Session: Playing and teaching the violin or viola is a complex process, as the instrument support and coordination between the hands can be challenging. This presentation outlines a few basic strategies for teachers and ensemble conductors to assist students in developing proficiency and ease when playing the violin or viola. It is based on principles drawn from the Alexander Technique (Alexander, Alcantara, Davies, Kleinman & Buckoke). This presentation includes some basic understanding of anatomy through body mapping (Conable, Dimon, Johnson), and offers some practical suggestions in the…


Rodney Wikstrom

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Rodney Wikstrom Session2.2: Using technology in string education Session: This presentation will focus on what and how to use technology in string education. The use of technology in string teaching can enhance the enjoyment of learning, improve the quality and effectiveness of learning, increase the frequency of practice, reach students who are not able to have regular face-to-face lessons, and monitor student progress. It can help prepare performances and exams, save travel time and help students to continue their learning during restrictions and holidays. Teachers and students can be in touch more regularly through videos, blogs, posts, etc. Examples of…


Robert Harris

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Robert Harris Session 2.6: Cafe Viola: playing and pedagogy with viola ensemble Session: Robert Harris brings his ANZ Viola Society Cafe Viola workshops to AUSTA National, not only to focus our attention on the viola but also to support our middle-voice violist friends in their alto clef endeavours. All attending are encouraged to bring their viola to share in a time-and-world-travel reading of repertoire for duos, trios, quartets and more violists, suitable for young violists (and their teachers), community violists (both amateur and professional). Bach to Bartok, Telemann to tangos, Australian composers too – styles both Classical and Crossover, original…


Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing Session 1.5: Suzuki Method in 21st Century Australia Session: Known for its success around the world, this influential method has developed a great deal over the decades. This lecture/performance includes the following, with a focus on string instruments in modern Australian Suzuki Method: Suzuki philosophy, language acquisition, and creating the environment Brief history: from Japan to Australia Development of pedagogy and repertoire Suzuki programs in Australian schools Musical literacy Australian Suzuki Teacher Accreditation Courses Major influences on modern Australian Suzuki Method Performance, either soloist or group, or a demonstration of a private or group lesson (restrictions permitting) Suzuki…


Miriam Morris

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Miriam Morris Session 2.5: Making the Switch to a New Instrument Session: This presentation deals with the challenges of being a multi-instrumentalist, and outlines the differences between the varied musical styles, ranging from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods. The pedagogy of the viol family and its repertoire with comparisons to that of the modern violin family will be detailed in this presentation. The Baroque and modern cello and their respective bows both require an understanding of style. The varying sizes of gambas provide challenges. I will give tips for making the changes from instrument to instrument. Miriam Morris teaches…


Lorraine Chai

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Lorraine Chai Session 3.6: Creating Responsible, Professional Students Session: In this generation, as educators, we cannot always rely on parents to help students through their practice. Most parents are too busy to remember everything. Students have to learn how to be responsible from the very start on how to practice properly, be independent and confident in their ability in music. In this workshop, we will cover 7 tips and activities that we can use to help students develop independently in a positive environment to become the best versions of themselves. Lorraine Chai is a multi-talented instrumentalist, conductor, mentor and international…


Loreta Fin

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Loreta Fin Session 1.2: SING and STRING – Teaching Group Beginners Without The Book How to free up your classroom – no books, no stands, no clutter. This is aimed at Year 2 or 3 beginner classes of mixed instruments and can be used alongside any method book. Session 3.5: Teaching Skills to Primary Ensembles through the Repertoire A repertoire reading session teaching rhythm, dynamics and bowing skills through pieces by Loreta Fin Download Notes Loreta Fin studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has since performed regularly in chamber music and orchestral concerts. She has been the Principal…


Laura Case

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Laura Case Session 3.5: From the Parlour to the Pub; A Social History of the Violin in Australian Society Session: Since the First Fleet arrived on Australian shores, the violin has been a constant presence in various facets of Australian life. By looking at how the violin was used in critical moments of Australian history such as on the goldfields, on the Aboriginal missions, and the World Wars we can begin to understand the historical importance of the violin in Australian society and its continuing importance today. The violin has been a symbol of hope, rebellion, protest, survival, and love….


Laura Carr

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Laura Carr Session 2.2: Teachers’ Toolkit for Early Childhood Teaching Session Time: Sunday July 3, 12.00 Session: Are you on the lookout for innovative, meaningful and playful ways to engage with your younger learners? If your goals are to nurture, inspire and connect with your students, this practical workshop will give you a number of tools which you can implement straightaway in your teaching. Underpinned with quality pedagogy and understanding our students’ needs, we will focus on mind and body warm-ups and bowing basics during this session. The mind and body warm-ups will help children self-regulate, create an awareness of…


Karen North

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Karen North Session 2.2: “Fun & Games” for String Teachers Session: Are you looking for new ideas for your Beginner to Grade 3 string students? Or seeking inspiration for fun ways to teach skills such as note reading, fingering and practice methods? Come and enrich your teaching resources with activities and games for string lessons (individual and group). Games are a great way to teach fundamentals – not only are games enjoyable for students and teachers, they have also been shown to lead to improved learning outcomes. This is an interactive workshop in which participants will play games in small…


Karen Kyriakou

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Karen Kyriakou Session 1.6: Connect & Engage. Inclusive aural activities for the string class Session: There are many advantages to implementing aural-based games and creative activities in the string class and ensemble; they increase student enjoyment and interaction, they allow students to improve their aural skills by responding to ‘off the page’ stimuli, and they help to develop students’ musical intuition, therefore acquiring higher levels of independence on their instrument. In time, students themselves can lead these games and activities, allowing peer-to-peer learning to occur — another rich learning opportunity for everyone. Aural skills are fundamental music skills for every…


Josephine Vains

April 6th, 2022 by AUSTA Conference

Josephine Vains Session 3.5: Speaking through music – finding the rhetoric in persuasive musical performance Session: Josephine is a passionate believer that musicians of all levels can, with a little knowledge of musical language and rhetoric, build on their natural communicative instincts and engage directly with their audiences and their musical selves on a deeper emotional level. In this presentation she will: Give a brief introduction to the Classical ideas of rhetoric as developed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans Provide musical examples from the standard canon of composers (Bach, Beethoven, Haydn) as well as some contemporary examples Perform well-known…