Meet the four 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award Nominees

Telstra, ARIA and The Song Room, a leading national arts learning organisation, are excited to announce the nominees for the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award.

Four incredible music teachers have been chosen from hundreds of applications. Each of the teachers have very different stories but are all connected by their passion for music and their dedication to education. The public are invited to vote for a winner, and one will be presented with a prestigious award at the 2020 ARIA Awards in Sydney this November.

Vote for the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award at our voting page.

The teachers are the first nominees to be announced for the 2020 ARIA Awards In Partnership with YouTube Music. More nominees will be announced on 13 October 2020 at the ARIA Awards Season Launch. An award ceremony with no audience will be held on 25 November 2020 and broadcast on the Nine Network.

The four nominees for the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award are:

Sarah Donnelley - Wilcannia Central School, Wilcannia, NSW

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Thomas Fienberg - Evans High School, Blacktown, NSW

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Kathryn McLennan - Virginia State School, Virginia, QLD

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CJ Shaw - Palmerston District Primary School, ACT

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Four ARIA Award ambassadors were sent to the teacher’s schools to break the news about their nomination. Thomas Fienberg was visited by Brooke Boney. Kathryn McLennan was visited by The Veronicas. In keeping with current safety restrictions, CJ Shaw received a remote call from Jimmy Barnes, whilst Christine Anu shared the exciting news with Sarah Donnelley.

The teachers are the first nominees to be announced for the 2020 ARIA Awards In Partnership with YouTube Music. More nominees will be announced on 13 October 2020 at the ARIA Awards Season Launch. An award ceremony with no audience will be held on 25 November 2020 and broadcast on the Nine Network.

You can watch all the videos with the teachers and ARIA Awards ambassadors at ARIA’s YouTube Channel.

The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award is now in its fourth year, with previous winners including Antonio Chiappetta (2019, St Andrews College, Sydney, NSW), Scott Maxwell (2018, Grant High School, Mount Gambier, SA) and Renee McCarthy (2017, Woodcroft College, Adelaide SA).

This year, perhaps more than any other, we are reminded of the fundamental importance of teachers, as they adapt and adopt new teaching and learning techniques to keep working and connecting with their students. It has only served to underscore the importance of music education to engage students in their learning and to support their development and wellbeing.

The award is a highlight of the annual ARIA Award ceremony and celebrates the vital role of music education. Our music teachers nurture the next generation of musicians, and students who study music achieve better grades, better school attendance and increased mental health.

Dan Rosen, CEO of ARIA, said:

“The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award is one of my favourite moments at the ARIA Awards. Every musician knows how important it is to have inspiring, passionate teachers. But we also know exposing children to making music helps them become the best that they can be. I am moved by the stories of our four nominees this year, and I look forward to awarding one teacher with an ARIA Award this November. I want to thank Telstra for continuing to join us in celebrating our music teachers.”

Genelle Sharples, Media, Sponsorships & Awards Principal at Telstra, said:

“We are delighted to be presenting the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award again this year. Music brings joy and has such power in bringing people together. This is something we’ve all come to appreciate even more during the challenges of this year.”

Alice Gerlach, CEO of The Song Room says music can transform the lives of Australian children.

“The Song Room is very proud to partner with ARIA in recognising passionate music teachers who make an enormous difference to the futures of so many young people. By celebrating our amazing music teachers, we shine a light on the importance of music education to engage students, improve learning outcomes, support well-being, and bring joy in a very challenging year.”

The public are able to help determine the winner of the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award, and voting is now open at the ARIA website. Voting closes on 18 November 2020. The winner will be announced as part of the ARIA Awards in late November.

Find out more about the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award nominees here.

Vote for the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award at our voting page.