Learn about the power of TLC in ABC Radio interview

Tasmanian Teaching Artists, Elisse Kleiner and Isaac Gee, discuss the power of TLC, The Song Room’s Transformational Learning through Creativity program, with Jane Longhurst on Your Afternoon, ABC Radio Hobart.

three primary school students playing ukuleles enjoying arts learning music lesson with teaching artist on guitar — Glen Huon Primary Schools students with teaching artist, Isaac Gee.

The Song Room Teaching Artists, Isaac Gee and Elisse Kleiner, were thrilled to discuss the power of TLC in Tasmania with actor, performer, and patron of the arts, Jane Longhurst on ABC Radio‘s Your Afternoon.

Listen to the interview here.

As Jane says, ‘school-based arts participation can increase learners’ confidence, their motivation. It improves school attendance race rates. It improves academic outcomes. And it certainly boosts the wellbeing and life skills of children and young people.’ Isaac and Elisse explain the impact of arts learning on the students, teachers and school communities in Geeveston and Glen Huon, where they have delivered The Song Room TLC program for the last three years.

Primary school students enjoying singing lesson in arts learning class with teaching artist — Geeveston and Glen Huon Primary Schools students with teaching artist, Elisse Kleiner.

TLC is a multi-year, multi-artform initiative to transform students, teachers and the school culture, through impactful engagement in arts education. While The Song Room initiative is coming to an end at Glen Huon Primary School and Geeveston Primary School, Elisse and Isaac are confident that through TLC they have helped to set up the schools to continue arts learning after they have gone. They explain to Jane that the program is designed for sustainability. It has not just brought joy and learning to students. But it has upskilled the teachers and helped to increase the appreciation for the arts at the schools.

‘It’s such a wonderful thing that the teachers and the students can see how the program has really enhanced the lives of the children and the learning over the three years,’ Elisse says.

Teaching artists facilitating arts education lesson for primary school students — Teaching artists, Elisse Kleiner and Isaac Gee, with students from Geeveston and Glen Huon Primary Schools

The interview culminated in the radio debut of two school songs produced in collaboration with the respective primary schools, “We Belong” by Glen Huon Primary School and “Together” by Geeveston Primary School.

You can hear the whole interview here and listen to the two school songs here with introductions from host Jane Longhurst.

Glen Huon Primary School Song: “We Belong”

Lyric sheet here

Dedicated to Lyn Bender. Composed by Louella Jury together with the grade 5/6 students at Glen Huon Primary School. Arranged and performed by the students. With their teacher Tamara Tucker, Louella Jury and The Song Room teaching artists Isaac Gee & Elisse Kleiner.

Recorded and mixed by Jethro Pickett. Mastering by Leadbetter Productions.

Geeveston Primary School Song: “Together”

Lyric sheet here

Composed by the grade 4/5 students at Geeveston Primary School together with Isaac Gee. Arranged and performed by the students. With their teacher Roz Kitschke and The Song Room teaching artists Isaac Gee & Elisse Kleiner.

Recorded and mixed by Jethro Pickett. Mastering by Leadbetter Productions.