CHILDREN'S MUSIC PROGRAM

Pre-School Course - for children from the age of 2 - 5

This course of Children’s Music Program provides children with opportunities to develop their love and understanding of music.  Children develop vocal, instrumental, aural and other skills through the use of enjoyable games, songs, moving, creating,  listening and playing activities. Classes for pre-school age groups offer a variety of enjoyable activities including songs, rhymes, movement and playing percussion instruments.

School Age Course - School age children - Years K - 5

This course contains three sequentially arranged levels for children who have enrolled at school. It is an ideal follow-on for children who have attended the preschool course as well as being suitable for children with no previous experience.
The course involves singing in sol-fa music reading and writing activities, playing of percussion instruments and demonstration instruments. During the third year of the course, the program extends to include 30 minute group instrumental lessons in addition to regular class activity. This provides an opportunity for children to try different instruments. This often includes keyboard, violin and additional percussion.  Children who are in K-1 at school commence this course at Level 1 class.
Children 7-10 old can enter this course via “Intro to Music” class. During the year children in “Intro to Music” learn to listen,  read, write and play music using various instruments. Thorough training is given in the basics of music reading, rhythm and written musicianship skills.

Children's Music Programme Tutors

Helen Ford - Head of Programmes
Holds a Diploma of  Early Childhood Teaching, Waverly;   Bachelor of Education in Primary Education, Dept.  Education,    A.M.E.B Piano Grade 8,   A.M.E.B Vocal Grade 6,  and teachers RFF Music K - 6 at Wamberal Public School.  Prior to moving to the Coast Helen worked at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium teaching Early Childhood Music and ran Early Childhood classes at several small country schools in the Quirindi district. She has also been the Co - Conductor of Sing 2001 now known  as Sing NSW Central Coast Choir  for the past 7 years. Helen has been a member of the Central Coast Chorale for the past 6 years.  
Helen is State President of the New South Wales Orff Schulwerk Association and is currently completing her Levels courses with the Kodaly Association.

Mandy Yule - Mandy has a Diploma of Teaching, specialising in early childhood and majoring in music. She has taught both preschool and infants/primary age children. Mandy has taught piano privately for 25 years, specialising in beginners to intermediate levels and obtained outstanding results. She completed an early childhood certificate at the Conservatorium in 1995.

Susan Elliott - Susan has been teaching craft and music in the Public School system for 34 years. She has completed Level 2 studies in Kodaly teaching and is continuing her studies.

Melissa Lark - L.T.C.L. in Composition; GAGM in Modern Pianoforte; A.T.C.L. in teaching; certified in Dalcroze.
Studied Dalcroze and Kodaly at Sydney Conservatorium o Music.  Melissa has also worked at Governor Phillip School Hospital, Penrith and Seton Villa Lodge, Marsfield using music as therapy.