KIDKO Performing Arts School & Chambers Music

I couldn't be any prouder. I had the joy and privilege of teaching this amazing young woman, Jemima Montag who went to 8th grade piano level. What an inspiration and role model for us all.

I have just found out that Lachlan Redd has passed- a wonderful musician, teacher and a beautiful person. I am shocked and so sad... gone too soon. We studied at MSM together in NY in the 90s. I wish I had reconnected with him.

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Kidko awarded 'Best Music School' in the City of Port Phillip! We're really proud to announce that Kidko was awarded 'Best music school' in the City of Port Phillip 'Quality Business Awards' for 2024.We received this news on the very day of Kidko's 10th anniversary, which felt like a lovely validation of the hard work that has gone into creating Kidko.Of course...

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Exciting News! Kidko is expanding to Point Cook! ​Kidko has operated at our Headquarters in Albert Park for 10 years, in South Melbourne Park and Docklands primary schools....and now we're expanding Kidko, and opening another branch in Point Cook.We are really excited to be launching Kidko 'Point Cook', with our partnership at 'Pianos Out West'....

Warning- Very long post- If you want to read on, you may need a drink and some snacks.
My husband and I created Kidko Performing Arts 9 years ago. During this time we have been opposite Albert Park PS. The school didn't have any space for private music lessons so we commenced a wonderful program. Our teachers pick up the students from their classroom and come back to Kidko to teach them. With 150 students, we created and built more studios to cater for the demand- with the new principal from 2020 this was capped at 100. We have put our heart and soul into this venture and love the students and families. Without the kindness and respect of a discussion the principal cut our program from 2024. We are devastated and heartbroken as this means that our building will be shut during the day. We currently have 25 teachers and as we walk down the corridors we hear the wonderful sound of gorgeous children playing many different instruments. It is so lovely to see the special connection between student and teacher and between our teachers and break times. There is also the issue of the significant financial hit which is a major part of our business. About 50 students have requested after school lessons, which is not convenient for the parents but their only choice to continue. We are almost at capacity and will struggle to fit everyone in. The current principal is authoritarian who loves control and doesn't listen to her people. She has abused her power and is very unhappy person. Many families, children and teachers are not in favour of her and would prefer a strong, positive leader but they are powerless to make any change. I know that this decision is 100% a personal vendetta against me because there is absolutely no good reason. I am bold and speak up (in a respectful way)and our personalities are polar opposite. She has developed a negative narrative about me in the last year. i.e. When they renovated their school hall with lovely tiered seating we offered to put an upright piano in there. She declined. Although we knew she wouldn't change her mind we sent out a support form to past and present students and had an overwhelming response. I simply wanted her to understand what true democracy looks like. She felt undermined and wrote a letter to the whole school about it and a letter to us to reprimand us for our behaviour. A few days later at the school fete, I organised for some students to perform and then enjoyed the afternoon talking to parents. Of course the topic of the piano came up. Another letter arrived that week saying that 'my behaviour looked and felt divisive'. Our relationship is fractured so I suggested about a year ago that my husband deal with any admin issues relating to the lessons and (personal conflict aside and focus on the children)We sent a formal complaint to the Education Department about her 6 wks ago without reply. The school has not had a music teacher this year. For next year she has organised for Albert Park College to send teachers into the school to teach group classes only from Grade 2-6. This will be OK for a small percentage of our students but many have learnt for years and progressing so well through exams and performances. (we held 14 concerts this year) We teach children from age 3 or 4 with our special Kidko method which I have developed, having taught piano for 30 years.
If the heartbreak wasn't enough, the principal shut down all of her staff and ordered them not to speak about it. Although I am bold and a fierce campaigner for myself and others, I am naturally quite shy and intimidated by her. As we hadn't been given a reason, I asked the Admin staff to leave a message with the VP to call me. A couple of days later I hadn't heard from her and whilst picking up a student I saw her outside her office. I quietly asked her if she had received the message. She is usually quite warm and approachable but in a hostile manner, replied, "It is inappropriate for you to discuss this me, I am in complete solidarity with the Principal and School Council". The Principal stormed out of her office (she had been keeping a close eye on me since the announcement, paranoid that I will discuss it). In a belligerent tone she ordered me to leave. I said "I come in peace and love and do not wish to fight or argue". I was simply wanting to have a discussion and wanted to express my disappointment. The Business Manager was also now there looking grumpy. She principal followed me and was right in my face saying "RESPECTFULLY (which she loves to use before her sentences) you need to leave the reception area, you are upsetting the students (There may have been 1 or 2 in the vicinity) or I will call the police. I replied, "Respectfully I will leave to pick up my student." A little girl who I have taught since she was 4 yrs old came up and hugged me. I was already fragile and trying to breathe and hold it together and burst into tears. I returned to the office to tell them I couldn't find my student and proceeded to leave. The Principal, VP and BM followed me to the door. I was in tears and we had a discussion for a few mins which gave me the opportunity to say a few things and hear their poor excuses for why they don't want the program. (they don't feel comfortable about the children leaving the school grounds) Of course this makes no sense because we have done it successfully for nearly a decade without one incident and approved by the Education Dept.
After a few mins, the Principal abruptly left the conversation and huffed " I am going to issue you with a Trespassing Order. This arrived the next day.
The 150th anniversary of the school assembly was on the day after, and I was not longer permitted to enter the school grounds. I wanted to attend so stood outside on the footpath and spoke to a few parents on the way in about the shock news. A few staff looked at me with disdain, a couple of parents said I should leave, I was making a fool of myself. I replied, " I have the power to be disliked and don't actually care about your opinion. I would like to be here" The VP came outside the grounds and followed me, ordering me to leave. I asked her to leave me alone, that I was abiding with the order and she was harassing me.
The following week, I parked my car and saw some Grade 6 students who were near the fence during recess play. Some of them were upset about the news, and we discussed the disappointment, especially the way in which it was done. A teacher saw me and I moved on. The teachers and staff have been ordered to call the police if I go inside the grounds.
The Principal has now ordered a Safety Community Order against me, whereby I have to stay 25 metres away from the school border, which is about the distance from our music school. This is not through the police but the ED.
At this point it is quite outrageous as I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I have appealed this order against me yesterday which took many hours of my time, compiling emails and evidence. If the ED do not revoke, I have the option to appeal with VCAT which is such a waste of time, but I would do it because I detest injustice.
It seems rather hypocritical that they spend a lot of time preaching to the children with their Kindness Projects and respect. I think that many of the children have an abundance of these beautiful qualities and more sense of justice and fairness than the leadership team who have been given the opportunity to inspire and lead them as positive, strong role models but failing.
She may be able to prevent me from going in the school grounds and teaching the children from APPS but she will not squash my passion for music education. We will forge ahead positively and never give up. She also cannot prevent me from speaking about the issue- I will not be silenced.
If you made it to the end of this post, well done and thanks for your time.
Warm wishes, Rebecca

How to improve the school results: not extra maths but music, loads of it A Bradford primary school wants the world to know its newfound Sats success is down to giving all children up to six hours of music a week

What a year! We have had 200 new student enquiries since the beginning of this year. We have placed most and welcomed 10 new teachers. We now have over 420 students having lessons each week at our studios in Albert Park and surrounding schools, South Melbourne Park PS, Docklands PS and Albert Park PS.

Kidko Performing Arts School has been operating in Albert Park for over 7 years, teaching music and performing arts to children and adults.
We are seeking a Violin Teacher, and a Drumkit teacher commencing ASAP. Ability to also play and teach piano is highly desirable.
To be successful in the role;
- Prepared to commit to a minimum of one year of work.
- You'll be outgoing, flexible, organised, and experienced in teaching young children.
- Willing to embrace many different genres of music.
- Have a positive and fun approach to teaching.
- Ability to interact confidently with parents.
- Familiarity with Suzuki approach and AMEB exams is favourable, but not essential.
Teacher training/guidance and resources can be provided.
You must be eligible to work in Australia and possess an ABN for this casual contractor role.

Kidko is an equal opportunity employer who values and appreciates their teachers highly. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and teaching audition.
Successful applicants will require a Working with Children Check and Vaccination certificates.
To apply please fill out our Teacher Detail and Application Form or email [email protected]
DEADLINE- ASAP

Kidko Performing Arts School has been operating in Albert Park for over 7 years, teaching music and performing arts to children and adults.
We are seeking one more Piano teacher commencing in Term 2, 2022.
To be successful in the role;
- Prepared to commit to a minimum of one year of work.
- You'll be outgoing, flexible, organised, and experienced in teaching young children.
- Willing to embrace many different genres of music.
- Have a positive and fun approach to teaching.
- Ability to interact confidently with parents.
- Familiarity with Suzuki approach and AMEB exams is favourable, but not essential.
Teacher training/guidance and resources can be provided.
You must be eligible to work in Australia and possess an ABN.
Remuneration is a contractor rate of $46-50 per hour.

Kidko is an equal opportunity employer who values and appreciates their teachers highly. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and teaching audition.
Successful applicants will require a Working with Children Check.
To apply please fill out our Teacher Detail and Application Form or email [email protected]
DEADLINE- ASAP- no later than 17th April

Kidko Performing Arts School has been operating in Albert Park for over 7 years, teaching music and performing arts to children and adults.
We are seeking Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin Tutors, commencing in Term 2, 2022.
To be successful in the role;
- Prepared to commit to a minimum of one year of work.
- You'll be outgoing, flexible, organised, and experienced in teaching young children.
- Willing to embrace many different genres of music.
- Have a positive and fun approach to teaching.
- Ability to interact confidently with parents.
- Familiarity with Suzuki approach and AMEB exams is favourable, but not essential.
Teacher training/guidance and resources can be provided.
You must be eligible to work in Australia and possess an ABN.
Remuneration is a contractor rate of $46-50 per hour.

Kidko is an equal opportunity employer who values and appreciates their teachers highly. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and teaching audition.
Successful applicants will require a Working with Children Check.
To apply please fill out our Teacher Detail and Application Form or email [email protected]
DEADLINE- ASAP- no later than 10th April