News 14 October 2019

Telstra ARIA Music Teacher of The Year 2019 Nominees

ARIA acknowledges people for their incredible contribution to music education. Meet the 2019 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher of The Year Nominees here.

Telstra ARIA Music Teacher of The Year 2019 Nominees

Telstra, ARIA and The Song Room, a leading national arts learning organisation, are excited to announce the nominees for the 2019 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award. Four finalists from around Australia have been chosen from hundreds of online applicants for their incredible contribution to music education.

The nominees, announced live at the ARIA Award Season Launch event in Sydney today, are Antonio Chiappetta from St Andrews College in Sydney, Julia Rennick from Gunnedah Conservatorium in Gunnedah, Bel Skinner from North Regional TAFE in Broome and Lee Strickland from Narbethong State Special School in Brisbane.

Four ARIA Ambassadors, Conrad Sewell, Katie Noonan, Montaigne and our favourite yellow wiggle, Emma Watkins, surprised the chosen music educators and their students at their schools, to celebrate their nomination and shine a light on the importance of music education in young people’s lives.

The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award has become a highlight of the ARIA Awards ceremony because it holds such special meaning to musicians and music lovers across Australia. The award recognises music teachers for their passion and hard work in providing Australian children with a better education and the chance to play and enjoy music. There is growing recognition worldwide of the value of creativity and the arts to improve education standards and build a better connection for students to their school life in general.

The ARIA award winning band Sheppard awarded the 2018 ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award to Scott Maxwell from Grant High School in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Scott was overwhelmed by the support he received and noted the importance of validating music education through this award.
“Music is so important, it’s life changing. It is such an honour to be recognised as a leader in transforming lives and inspiring others through music.” he said.
Simon Gipson, CEO of The Song Room agrees that music is transforming for so many Australia children.

“This award recognizes the positive power that music and music teachers have on children’s lives. Music fundamentally engages children in school and connects them to learning. The Song Room is very proud to partner with ARIA and Telstra in recognising those passionate music teachers who make an incredible difference to the futures of so many young people.”

Dan Rosen, Chief Executive for ARIA said:

“Together with our partners Telstra and The Song Room, we are thrilled to present this year's four incredible nominees for Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Of The Year. Without their work, and the work of music teachers all around the country, we would not be able to inspire the next generation of Australian music talent and ARIA Award winners. I encourage everyone to discover the amazing stories behind this year's nominees and to show their support by voting.”

Genelle Sharples, General Manager Media and Sponsorships at Telstra, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with ARIA again in 2019 with the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Of The Year Award. It was so joyous to watch Scott Maxwell honoured as the ARIA Music Teacher Of The Year in 2018.   We are so proud to join ARIA as we recognise the music teachers who enrich our kids’ lives and create an enduring legacy through their work at school and in their communities.”

“Our continued partnership with the ARIAs and the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Of The Year award is important to Telstra and we look forward to celebrating more teachers from across the country who use their talents to inspire the next generation of Aussie musicians.”

The public can now vote for their favourite music teacher online at www.ariamusicteacheraward.com.au. Voting closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday 20 November. The music teacher with the most public votes will be presented with an ARIA at the 2019 ARIA Award ceremony held in Sydney on 27 November, 2019.