The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award

Watch the Nominations Announced
10am AEST Thur 14 Sep 
Streaming live here (press play) and on YouTube

Show Music Teachers some love!
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In partnership with Telstra and supported by The Song Room, ARIA is proud to present the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award.

This special ARIA Award, launched in partnership with The Song Room in 2017, recognises the incredible contribution of music teachers throughout Australia. It rewards teachers for their hard work, creativity and dedication to their students and wider community. By celebrating our amazing music teachers, it also helps to shine a light on the importance of music to education and student engagement.

Winners of the award have included Matt Orchard (2022, Apollo Bay P-12 College, Apollo Bay, Gadubanud Territory, VIC), Zoë Barry (2021, Sacred Heart School, Melbourne VIC), Sarah Donnelly (2020, Willcania Central School, Wilcannia NSW), 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).

Every year the public help determine the winner of the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award, with the winner to be announced as part of the annual ARIA Awards ceremony.

Recognise the influence of Australian music teachers

Behind most artists who make it to the ARIA stage is a dedicated music teacher or mentor. The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award was introduced by ARIA, in partnership with The Song Room and Telstra, to recognise music teachers for their passion and hard work in providing Australian children with a better education and the chance to play and enjoy music.

Music and creativity help improve education standards, well-being and build a stronger connection for students to their school life. Celebrate the exceptional influence music teachers have on our kids, setting them up for a bright future.

Why Music Teachers Matter

Research shows that children involved in music at school:

• achieve better grades
• attend school more often
• improve their self-esteem and confidence, and experience less stress, depression, loneliness and anger

Creative kids are brighter kids, and research shows that participation in music programs has a positive impact on childrens lives.

3 out of 4 Australian children have no access to specialist music education at school, despite the fact that The Song Room’s programs deliver: