In partnership with Telstra and supported by The Song Room, ARIA has announced the nominees for the 2021 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award.
The award enters its fifth year in 2021, with a record number of applications from some of the country’s leading music educators. The winner of this year’s award will join the likes of 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 ARIAs this November.
The four nominees for this year’s Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award are:
Ashley Baxter – Pimlico State High School, Townsville QLD
Zoë Barry – Sacred Heart School, Melbourne VIC
Aaron Silver – Wodonga Primary School, Regional VIC
Daniel Wilson – Star Struck, Newcastle NSW
Every year, four Telstra ARIA Music Award ambassadors are sent to the nominee’s schools to share the news of their nomination. This year Ashley Baxter was visited by Amy Shark, Zoë Barry by Baker Boy, Daniel Wilson received a very special call from Tones and I, as well as Aaron Silver who spoke with Morgan Evans.
The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award has quickly become one of the award’s most cherished categories as we recognise the importance of music education and our teachers, in forming the industry and nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Research shows that children who participate in music studies have higher grades, better school attendance, improved self-esteem and confidence, while the studies themselves help to manage stress, depression, loneliness and anger.
The nominees for this category are the first to be announced for the 2021 ARIA Awards in Partnership with YouTube Music, with the remaining nominees to be announced later in the month.
Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA, said: “In such a difficult time, it’s incredible to see music’s ability to bring light into the lives of so many children. I’m thrilled at the volume of passionate, dedicated and inspiring music teachers who have been nominated for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award. The gift of music education is something to celebrate and protect, and I thank Telstra for their ongoing support in recognising the people helping Aussie kids connect with new passions and become their best selves. I can’t wait to award one special teacher the top prize in November, but I also want to thank all the nominees from the bottom of my heart for doing the amazing work they do.”
Voting is now open and closes at 11.59 PM Wednesday 17th November.
Top Image: Silver, Baxter, Barry, and Wilson