Australian Youth Orchestra
National Music Teacher Mentoring Program Conference 2023
In the final week of March, 60 music teachers from across the country come together in Melbourne for two full days of seminars, activities and training. This exciting occasion was the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program conference.
The National Music Teacher Mentoring Program (NMTMP) pairs a primary classroom teacher with a specialist music teacher mentor. Mentors are selected for their expertise and leadership and are drawn from NSW, VIC, SA and WA. We are thrilled that the NMTMP continues to support and develop specialists outside metropolitan areas, with 42% of attendees from regional and 7% from remote areas.
The conference was the first of its kind to run since 2019 and was curated by NMTMP Education Advisor Louise Barkl. On day one, the mentors were treated to presentations from Professor Margaret Barrett, Mark O’Leary OAM and Dr. Anita Collins, who are the forefront of their respective fields in music education.
The second day was led by educational consultant Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, who presented an expert tailored approach to quality mentoring and drew together their learning over the intensive event.
The NMTMP Conference was a sign of the exciting things to come in the program. The team were thrilled to receive enthusiastic feedback from attendees:
‘This has been one of my richest experiences in leadership and music processes of teaching in my career.’
‘The conference was one of collegial respect, brilliant teaching which led to epiphanous moments for many attending, great music making but overarching all of that was a resounding affirmation that the work we do – no matter how small or insignificant we might feel our impact has – makes a difference in the lives of the teachers and students we work with.’
‘I feel like it has been a long time since I’ve come away from a professional learning experience so excited and feeling like such a part of a community.’
‘This has really inspired me to be the best music teacher I can!’
The National Music Teacher Mentoring Program is made possible through funding from the Australian Government and philanthropic support. Find out more about the program here
