Uncategorized
Sandi Oh
Sandi Oh Inspiring Young Musicians: Repertoire for Beginner String Ensembles In this presentation, we will explore a selection of original works written by the presenter for beginner string ensembles. We will use these compositions to introduce young students to fundamental musical concepts such as rhythm, harmony, and technique, all while fostering a love of ensemble playing. Attendees will extend their knowledge regarding how to keep students motivated through fun, age-appropriate repertoire that is both educational and engaging. Practical resources and tips are shared to help create a dynamic and supportive learning environment, making ensemble playing truly enjoyable for young musicians….
Fintan Murphy
Fintan Murphy How Teachers Learn Expert teachers know that their primary student is the teacher herself. Teaching for many decades we need to observe ourselves at work, pay attention to what works and what does not. As we lead the student to progress over the long-term we need to develop the confidence to let go of our urge to control others and instead direct ourselves. In this session we will discuss attention, observation and ideas, how to work effectively with a clear mind in relation to ourselves. What can help here? Observing other teachers, observing our students in a group…
Ibolya Mikajlo
Ibolya Mikajlo Australian violinist Lyndall Hendrickson (1917-2017)… was a child prodigy, war time performer, and teacher of highly skilled violinists. In the 1930s, Ludwig Schwab expanded Hendrickson’s learning of skills in teaching her Otakar Sevcik’s violin exercises. As a teacher, Hendrickson evolved from Sevcik’s and Schwab’s teachings, through a multitude of individualized exercises, written for her students between c.1968 to 2010. In her teaching diverse and broad range of pedagogical violin teaching techniques, using psychological theories, scientific and educational research to tailor exercises to her students physical and sensory needs. Further knowledge learned whilst in recovery and rehabilitation from polio,…
Markiyan Melnychenko CF
Markiyan Melnychenko CF Performing newly created Violin and Piano Showpiece Arrangements of Ukranian Folk Music. This presentation will feature the performance of newly created violin and piano showpiece arrangements of Ukrainian folk music, written in the style of historical violinists such as Kreisler, Sarasate and Heifetz. The works were completed as part of PhD research exploring two venerable traditions of the past and combining them to create new violin music for the 21st century; firstly – that of the violinist-as-arranger and secondly – the use of folk music in the creation of Ukrainian classical music. In addition to the performance,…
Rob McWilliams
Rob McWilliams Putting the Music First – Key Fundamentals of Conducting and Rehearsing Your Ensemble This session will cover important fundamentals of conducting and rehearsing to improve musicianship and expression in your ensembles. Will cover conducting gesture concepts that support more expressive playing as well as developing greater player listening as part of the rehearsal process. About Prof. Rob McWilliams. Ph.D., M.Mus., B.Mus.Ed. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Prof. Rob McWilliams holds a Ph. D. in Music from the University of Minnesota, a Master’s in Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University, and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from…
Sarah Marshall
Sarah Marshall Pre-Performance Routines to Manage Performance Anxiety There has been extensive research on the benefits of pre-performance routines (PPR) in assisting athletes with self-regulation of arousal, attentional focus and performance expectancy. Little is known, however, about the use and effectiveness of PPR in the performing arts, despite the fact that performance anxiety can have debilitating effects on performing artists and is acknowledged as a major health risk for these professionals. Since completing a systematic review of the literature in 2018 to critically evaluate the effectiveness of PPR for performing artists, Sarah has run over 100 workshops in schools, tertiary…
Sheau-Fang Low
Sheau-Fang Low Stop: Revive your string teaching with the Alexander Technique There is a myriad of challenges for string teachers who combine performance and pedagogy skills, such as managing the expectations of administrators and parents, along with the increasingly screen based learning milieu of the 21st century students. These challenges have yet to be addressed in any teaching methods available on the market. The Alexander Technique (AT) is based on long established principles and provides the learner with increased awareness on how the mind and body interact in activity, creating the flow state. Mental and physical states are intrinsically linked,…
Timothy Kantor
Timothy Kantor A Deeper Understanding: Creative Music Making in the Practice Room What does it mean to play musically, and how can we inspire and guide students toward a more intentional and thoughtful musical process? While technical development often follows clear paths—scales, etudes, and carefully curated repertoire—developing musical understanding can be a more elusive journey. This presentation will focus on strategies for growing creativity and intentionality in the practice room, empowering young string players to make confident, personal interpretive choices. Key topics include: • Where to start? Developing musical ideas from the very first lesson • Tools for inspiring students to experiment, listen…
Susan Hamerton
Susan Hamerton Enchanted Quest: motivating young learners to consolidate their early set up and bowing proficiency. As teachers we all want our students to learn optimum posture and movement patterns early on, so it falls to us to give explicit, content-rich lessons in this regard. So, I developed Enchanted Quest to solve the problem of how to motivate my young students to Hear and value my suggestions be mindful of their actions habituate these mental and physical procedures without it being tedious for them (or for me!) Enchanted Quest is an online point scoring game for teachers of bowed string…
Thomas Gregory
Thomas Gregory Presentation #1: Playing Together: How learning in groups can offer the best start for beginners Many teachers are daunted at the prospect of teaching string instruments in groups. There is the fear that energy will be spent managing unruly children instead of honing technique; that standards will be sacrificed at the alter of inclusion. In this workshop I aim to confront these fears and demonstrate how a group environment, with a skilled teacher, is the happiest and healthiest way for a child to start learning an instrument. We will explore simple techniques to teach complex skills in a…
Evan Elsley
Evan Elsley “Violin Diploma Technique, The Principles of Talent” – This is the title of my published book, and the topic is on the content. I am an AMEB diploma examiner. My book addresses the reasons why so many candidates technically struggle, in the diploma exam room. It explains the intuitive techniques, that guarantee co-ordination and intonation at virtuosic level. There is also a thought process, that defines when, and how to listen, as a fully teachable technique. About Evan Elsley AMEB Examiner since 1980. Taught violin component for university performance and teaching degrees. Held Head of Strings positions…
Joanna Drimatis
Joanna Drimatis PhD Australian Music for String Orchestra and Ensembles The Australian Music Centre (AMC) is the national service organisation dedicated to the promotion and support of art music in Australia. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to the representation, advocacy, promotion and support of Australian creators and their music. Consider the question: how are you embedding Australian culture and, importantly, Australian art music into your ensembles? My role as Music Education Specialist is to help facilitate this process with a degree of ease, so that educators, performers, conductors, and students can access the music that is…
Sophie Curtis
Sophie Curtis On the Design and Evaluation of a Chamber Music Methodology Research has established both musical and extra-musical benefits to participating in chamber music, and while some pedagogical research on how to develop string quartet playing skills at the advanced level exists, currently there is no research or method that addresses sequential development of skill from the foundational level of chamber music playing (primary/secondary levels). Moreover, there is very little literature that seeks to align chamber music skill development with anything more than technical outcomes. This paper outlines my current PhD research project which involves the design and evaluation…
Catherine Chautard
Catherine Chautard I present a personal philosophical approach relying on Music as a common Human way of expression. This means that I teach Music no matter the player’s abilities or talent. The violin becomes a medium for personal development, which can be achieved with the holistic consideration of each player. The Art of Violin Playing is used as a support for my students to develop better mental and physical heath, self-confidence and enjoyment. Trust is cultivated with in each student, and my teaching includes a highly level of care, empathy., and respect. As I pass on my musical and technical…
Caron Chan
Caron Chan My proposed topic is New Australian Music for the Violin. For this presentation I have curated a selection of works suitable for inclusion in the HSC and VCE exams writted by a diverse group of Australian composers. Some of the works were written as recently as this year. As part of my presentation I will share perusal copies of sections of the score of each of the works. Delegates attending this session are encouraged to bring their violins to the session and read through the works. The aim of the presentation is to share some wonderful new Australian…
Angela Cassar
Angela Cassar How to build a successful string program. I will discuss ensemble direction with a focus on the psychological component; creating a cohesive team; working within the hierarchical nature of string playing and desking; harnessing the strengths of the students; ensuring every rehearsal is worthy of attendance. About Angela Cassar Angela is an accomplished conductor and violinist with a passion for directing orchestral ensembles. Angela has held the position of Head of Strings (K-12) at Meriden School in Sydney since 2015. In this role she works with musicians of all ages and has built and refined the program. Angela…
AUSTA Patron: Howard Penny
Howard Penny Howard Penny was born in Canberra and after studies with Nelson Cooke moved to Vienna, studying with Tobias Kühne, André Navarra, Boris Pergamenshikov and William Pleeth. Winning the ABC Young Performers Competition, and a finalist in the Prague International Cello competition, concerto performances include Sydney Opera House, Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus, Berlin Schauspielhaus, Suntory Hall Tokyo and Casals Festival Prades. A regular principal cello with Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg and Vienna Radio Symphony, he is a long-standing member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, working regularly with the world’s leading conductors and soloists, participating…
AUSTA Patron: Robin Wilson
Robin Wilson Internationally regarded pedagogue, Dr Robin Wilson is Resident Faculty of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. Previously, he held appointments as Lecturer in Violin and Pedagogy at the University of Sydney and the Australian Institute of Music, and String Pedagogy Fellow at the University of Queensland. He serves on the faculty of the Keshet Eilon International String Mastercourse in Israel, Valdres Festival in Norway and Morningside Music Bridge at The New England Conservatory in Boston. His students are regular prize-winners of all of the major national Australian competitions and many international competitions, including first…
AUSTA Patron: Patricia Pollett
Patricia Pollett Patricia Pollett is one of Australia’s leading string players. Well known as an advocate of new music for the viola, she has commissioned, performed and recorded numerous solo works by leading Australian composers. She was honoured for this work with an APRA Australian Music Centre Classical Music Award for the Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Composition by an Individual. Patricia has performed as soloist and chamber musician with major Australian ensembles and orchestras and has extensive international performance experience, particularly with the Italian string ensemble I Solisti Veneti. A founding member of the contemporary ensemble…
Yvonne Moore & Shannon Luk
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…