DR. Jane Southcott

CHAIR

Dr. Jane Southcott is Professor in the Faculty of Education at Monash University.

She is a life member and founder of the Australian and New Zealand Association for

Research in Music Education, and a life member of the Australian Society for Music

Education. Her research focus has two main areas: the history of music curricula in

Australia, America and Europe, and community music engagement in different

cultural communities and with older people. She supervises many doctoral

candidates and has written and co-edited books on music education in diverse

applications. Jane had Dalcroze Eurhythmics lessons for 10 years in her youth.

sheau-Fang low

Sheau-Fang Low is a violin pedagogue and AMEB (NSW) string examiner. The quest to guide students to achieve their musical potential while nurturing their love for music, has seen her delve into the studies of various approaches. This resulted in certification from Dalcroze Australia, the Alexander Technique International, and Suzuki Talent Education Association.

Her interest in string pedagogy is reflected in her master’s degree thesis at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has given presentations on diverse aspects of violin teaching in workshops and conferences, including the Investigating Music Performance Conference (London), the ASME National Conference and AUSTA National Conferences.

Over the years, she has also volunteered in numerous music committees, including the Dalcroze Society (NSW). She is grateful to HGDF for for her first experience of the Dalcroze Eurhythmics Summer School with Sandra Nash and Karin Greenhead in 1998. The influence of her Dalcroze Eurhythmics training is still observable in her string playing and teaching.

Jane Boyd OAM

Founder of Bridges to Music.

1991 – Attended the first Dalcroze Summer School and gains the Introductory Certificate.

1994 – Dr Doreen Bridges recruited me into her Kodaly teaching for Musical Development

Level 1-3 at The Sydney Conservatorium. The influence of my Dalcroze training has a huge impact on my interpretation of the Kodaly course, with Dee being such a strong advocate of incorporating movement into the Developmental Music Program. Commenced Early Childhood Music and Movement teaching in 1990.

Have attended numerous Dalcroze Summer Schools, Kodaly conferences and workshops over the decades. Reaccredited my Kodaly Level 1 2003 and Level 2 2005.

As the programme grew, offering Music and Movement and Pre-Instrumental classes in the community, the Bridges to Music school was named with Dee’s blessing. The program has now been running for over 40 years since Dee started the Movement and Music program at North Sydney in the early 80s. The Sydney Conservatorium BtM program commenced in 2012 and ACO in 2023, offering the Music and Movement program for 2.5 - 5yr olds. These classes have been run by Simona Green who joined me in 2012 and is also a passionate Dalcroze student. 

PETER ROBERTS

Treasurer

MMus (NSW), MA, MusB (Dublin), MTheolStud (ACU), MEdStud, GradDipEd [Religious Studies] (SA), BA, DipMLT (Sydney), BA (Wollongong), BBus (Swinburne), GradDipEd [Teacher-Librarianship], GradCert TESOL (Charles Sturt), AdvCert (RWCMD), Dip School Admin (Armidale CAE), LTCL, ASDA, Gold Medal – Speech (LAMDA), AALIA, MIMT  

A retired teacher with degrees in music, drama, education, philosophy, theology and business, Peter was the first president of the national organization Dalcroze Australia, having previously been president of the Dalcroze Society of New South Wales. He has been active in the administration of many non-professional arts organisations over the last five decades and sees the teachings of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze as not only fundamental for music educators in the early stages of learning but also in the development of the maturing artist.

Susanne James

Susanne James commenced her professional career in music education as a state secondary music teacher. She has been Education Manager for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Open Academy. Currently, Susanne is Director, New England Conservatorium of Music. Susanne’s interest in the Dalcroze Approach commenced in the late 1970s when she was fortunate to meet, and attend classes with, Heather Gell in Cremorne. 

KENT LOGIE

Kent Logie retired from Curtin University in Perth after 26 years as a Lecturer in Music Education. Previously Kent was a Primary Principal and Music Specialist. He has served the Australian Society for Music Education as Chairperson and was Convenor of the 1993 and 2007 ASME Conferences in Perth. He continues his life-long involvement as a choral director.