The music hasn’t stopped at the Central Coast Conservatorium, with teachers migrating their program online to help keep local kids engaged with their music studies.
Just two weeks ago Children’s Music Program educators were teaching babies how to sing ‘row row row your boat’ and were able to pick up right where they left off thanks to video conferencing sessions.
The sessions act as live, interactive online classes, and while there’s been a few teething issues (with both students and the tech), Program Coordinator, Nicole Castle, said educators were loving seeing screens full of happy, smiling faces.
“We are delighted with the outcomes so far and the extremely positive feedback we receive daily from the community,” Castle said.
The Children’s Music Program is just one of the programs the Conservatorium has transitioned, with video conferencing and online teaching platforms allowing staff to get on with the job of training the Coast’s next generation of musicians.
Conservatorium Artistic Director and CEO, Patrick Brennan, said while the COVIID-19 situation had presented unique challenges it has also provided an opportunity for the Conservatorium to highlight its dedicated and passionate staff and their commitment and ability to rollout adaptive teaching whilst still striving for excellence in music education.
“It’s been a monumental achievement.
“It’s made us think outside the box to manage the continued delivery of our music education services to the community,” Brennan said.
“Through times of global hardship, the arts have played a vital role in maintaining the mental health of communities.
“Perhaps now more than even, the regular synergy between student and teacher engaging in music making and tuition will play a critical role in keeping a level of normality in family life,” he added.
Source:
Press release, Apr 2
Rosalie Paino, Central Coast Conservatorium
Reporter: Dilon Luke