The Song Room and ARIA are excited to announce that entries are now open for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award 2022!

This award celebrates the important role that music teachers play in shaping the aspirations of young people and their communities. By celebrating our amazing music teachers, The Song Room and ARIA shine a light on the importance of music education to connect students to their learning, improve their wellbeing, and to enrich their lives.

Last year, Zoe Barry from Sacred Heart School Fitzroy, Victoria was celebrated as the 2021 award winner. Zoe uses the power music to build confidence and self-esteem in her students, many of whom are from refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.

“Winning the Telstra ARIA Music Award was a wonderful experience to celebrate the unique opportunities music education offers students to express themselves, make meaning, and make connections with ideas and each other. Teaching music at Sacred Heart School in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, I get to witness how powerfully music can calm, inspire and unite my students.”

– Zoë Barry, 2021 Telstra ARIA Music Award winner

Zoe was one of four music teachers from across Australia chosen as a nominee for the 2021 award. ARIA Ambassadors Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Morgan Evans, and Tones and I helped each nominee to tell their stories.

Previous winners of the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award include: Zoë Barry (2021, Fitzroy Sacred Heart School, Fitzroy, VIC); Sarah Donnelley (2020, Wilcannia 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).

Recognising the influence of Australian music teachers

The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award was introduced by ARIA, in partnership with The Song Room in 2017, 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 outcomes, wellbeing and build a stronger connection for students to their school life. The Song Room is helping to close the education equity gap in many communities in regional, remote and metro areas through its Arts Learning programs run in partnership with schools.

Nominate an exceptional music teacher you know today

This award is open to any teacher working on a music program in a school, kindergarten, early childhood centre, youth centre or private tuition music school in Australia.  Anyone from around the country – from students, school administrators, to friends, neighbours and family – can nominate their music teacher for consideration to win an ARIA.

To view the eligibility and judging criteria, and enter an inspiring music educator visit www.aria.com.au/music-teacher

It could be a music teacher you know accepting the ARIA Award this November!