Music Teachers' Association of NSW

BIG NEWS for Music Educators!

The 2027 Music Teacher Matters: Setting Students Up For Success Conference is taking shape, and we have some huge announcements to celebrate!

🌟 KEYNOTE ANNOUNCED:
We are thrilled to welcome the brilliant Evan Connell to the stage! Securing Evan Connell is a major coup for our organisation. Known for groundbreaking work and visionary insights in AI, education and technology, Evan will be delivering an exclusive keynote session that you won't want to miss.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS: Contemplating submitting a presentation or workshop idea? Applications close August 23! https://sessionize.com/2027MTANSWConference

REGISTER TODAY https://www.musicteachermatters.com.au/2027-events-page

Visit Evan Connell, Chief Executive Officer, Mulwaree Life Skills Association, Inc
www.mulwaree.org

What an incredible weekend at the Advanced Scholarship Challenge!

We are thrilled to celebrate the resounding success of this weekend's event! From piano and strings to winds and beyond, our talented musicians blew us away with an extraordinary variety of instruments and truly outstanding performances.

A massive thank you to our esteemed adjudicators, Andrew Rumsey and Anthony van den Broek, for sharing their expertise, invaluable feedback, and dedication to inspiring the next generation of performers.

Bravo to every participant who took the stage, and a heartfelt thank you to all the teachers, families, and supporters who came out to cheer them on!

Happy Monday, NSW music community! 🎹🎻 Ready to give your students a major competitive edge this term?

The MTANSW is excited to provide two premier Sunday events designed for both teachers and students alike, across NSW.

📅 July 26 | The 2026 Music Performance and Feedback Program
The ultimate exam prep masterclass. Students perform their repertoire and receive live, expert feedback from Karen Carey OAM to refine their performance technique before exams.

📅 August 2 | The Advanced Scholarship Challenge 2026
An incredible opportunity for advanced young musicians to gain elite stage experience, perform complex repertoire, receive feedback from adjudicator Andrew Rumsey and compete for exclusive scholarships.

Don't miss this chance to step out of the private studio and into a supportive, professional performance space.

👇 Secure your tickets today: https://mtansw.org.au/whats-happening/

CALL FOR PRESENTERS: Let’s shape the future of music education together!

Are you an educator or researcher helping shape the next generation of musicians? Whether you lead a thriving private studio, design university curricula, or inspire students in K-12 classrooms, your expertise matters.

The Music Teachers' Association of New South Wales is officially inviting session proposals for our 2027 State Conference — Music Teacher Matters: Setting Students Up For Success.

Let us share diverse perspectives, foster collaboration, and elevate music education across all sectors.

Conference Dates: July 4 & 5, 2027
Call for Presenters Open: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Deadline for Submissions: Sunday, 23 August 2026 (11:59 PM AEST)
Presenters Notified: Wednesday, 28 October 2026

If you have insights, research, or practical strategies that can inspire your fellow educators across the sector, we want to hear from you!

Submit your proposal via https://sessionize.com/2027MTANSWConference

Visit the conference website: https://www.musicteachermatters.com.au/

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

You do not want to miss these two incredible upcoming experiences. Whether you're looking to soothe your soul with timeless classics or unlock the deep physics of sound, we’ve got you covered.

Here is what’s coming up next:

May 30 – Harmonize with Wolfgang and JSB
Get ready for an evening of pure, elegant harmony. We're diving deep into the brilliant minds of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach. Perfect for classical music lovers and anyone looking to unwind.
https://mtansw.org.au/events/harmonise-with-wolfgang-and-jsb/
Time: 230pm
Location: St Francis Xavier School Hamilton

June 4 – The Science & Power of Rhythm
Ever wondered why a beat can completely change your mood? Join us for an interactive exploration into the fascinating science, psychology, and undeniable power behind rhythm.
https://mtansw.org.au/events/first-thursday-the-science-and-power-of-rhythm-and-movement-for-development-and-wellbeing/
Time: 1030am
Via Zoom

Spaces are filling up fast!

Thanks to our sponsors St Francis Xavier College and Erin Sweetman, and Create NSW...

Harmonize with Wolfgang and JSB Learning: harmony through improvisation - an introduction to Partimento with David Banney

Places limited to 20 participants. Workbooks will be provided.

If you are looking for an engaging and practical approach to learning harmony, this workshop is for you. Explore the rich harmonic language of Western music—from Corelli and Bach to Mozart, Schubert, and beyond.

In this hands-on workshop, each participant will have access to their own keyboard while being introduced to the fundamental principles of partimento.

Details
2.5 hour workshop
Saturday 30 May
Venue - St Francis Xavier School (keyboard room)
Tickets: $25 (MTA members), $30 (Non-members), $20 (Students)
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/DLZEC

What an incredible afternoon of music!

We are still buzzing from our Masterclass with the brilliant Dr Kara Huber on March 29th. It was a privilege to watch our students step up for their one-on-one performances and receive such personalized attention.

The highlight of the session was Kara’s focus on the "how-to." Rather than just fixing notes, she provided each student with concrete practice strategies and tailored tips to take home. Our students walked away with a clear roadmap on how to refine their technique and elevate their pieces during their daily practice sessions.

A huge thank you to Kara for sharing her expertise and giving our students the tools to become more intentional, effective musicians. We can’t wait to hear how these new strategies transform your playing!

Students, what was the most helpful practice tip you took away from your session with Kara? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Elevate Your Piano Artistry with a GRAMMY® Nominee!

Is your student preparing for a major exam, audition, or recital? Give them the edge they need with a world-class perspective.

We are thrilled to host Dr. Kara Huber—Chair of Piano at the world-renowned Interlochen Arts Academy—for an exclusive Masterclass and "Technique Triage" Workshop!

Kara is known for her "flawless" technique and modern charisma. This isn't just a lecture; it’s a hands-on transformation for:

✅ Students: Master performance anxiety and refine musical expression.
✅ Teachers: Learn creative technical games to keep teens engaged.
✅ Auditors: Gain a new lens for listening and learning.

📍 Where: Master Music Studio Glebe
🗓️ When: March 29, 2026
🎟️ Tickets: https://mtansw.org.au/whats-happening/

Hurry—Book today!

Kara Huber (Interlochen Centre for the Arts) leads a two-hour Student Masterclass and a one-hour teacher “Teen Technique Triage" workshop, March 29, 2026

Students, book your place today for the Piano Masterclass with GRAMMY® Nominee Kara Huber here https://mtansw.org.au/events/piano-masterclass-with-grammy-nominee-kara-huber/

Teachers, book your place today for the Kara Huber Workshop – Teen Technique Triage here https://mtansw.org.au/events/kara-huber-workshop-teen-technique-triage/

Don't miss out on your only Sydney visit!

Hi MTA Members

In order to support more teachers entering the profession, TopMusic has just announced New Teacher Scholarships for TopMusicLive in April.

If you, or a young teacher you know, is keen to attend but is having trouble getting the registration fee together, please consider applying for our scholarship program.

TopMusicLive Scholarships are open to any music teacher with:
• Fewer than 2 years of teaching experience
• No formal teaching qualifications
Successful applicants will receive a 50% discount on the current registration rate for TopMusicLive attendance. Pay just $199.50 for the two-day event, including full access and catering.

If you’re a new teacher (or you know one) looking for:

⭐ Validation you’re doing things right
⭐ Practical advice for pedagogy AND business
⭐ Networking opportunities with supportive teachers
⭐ A friendly community

TopMusicLive is for you!

How to Apply:
• Please read the guidelines and selection criteria here
• Complete the application process (in the link above)
TML Scholarship applications close on 15 March - so don’t wait!

I can’t wait to see you in Sydney!
Tim Topham

Supported by TopMusic