BALLARAT Grammar music teacher and instrumentalist Sarah Barlow could be attending this year\u2019s ARIA Awards.<\/p>\n
Ms Barlow teaches music performance and sound production to senior Victorian Certificate of Education and Vocational Education and Training students, and has been nominated for the 2023 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award.<\/p>\n
She said her nominator remains a mystery, but she is excited to be part of the process and what it promotes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ARIA Music Teacher Award is partnered with The Song Room, which is an organisation advocating for specialist music education for every child in Australia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really fortunate here in Ballarat to have a strong music education culture but not everybody has that. It\u2019s such a fundamental part of education and growing up; everybody should have it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I was nominated, I\u2019ve had a huge outpouring of support from former students, colleagues, and music industry people who I work with, which is already starting discussions about the value of music education.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo go to the ARIAs would be surreal. Every music teacher goes into the industry as a musician, and I could be in the same room as people who I idolise. It would be the highlight of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a nominee, Ms Barlow said she will highlight and advocate for young digital music producers who are \u201clegitimate\u201d artists, all-abilities students, and women in the industry, who are not just performing but supporting musicians behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very strongly that our music course supports people who are differently abled and need to learn things in different ways,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not a huge amount of women in the professional world of music doing sound tech, but that\u2019s a growing field at our school as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny chance we have to talk about and promote these things is great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sixteen-year-old Ballarat Grammar student, Alistair, said he values Ms Barlow\u2019s knowledge and her support.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has helped me solve many problems I\u2019ve had when setting up performances,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing that she has been nominated for the award. It\u2019s reflective of her talent and it\u2019s incredibly well deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Barlow said she loves watching young people grow as they discover their talents and passion for music.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows students to work with their own identity, explore creativity, and express themselves, while being in a community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople find their tribe in the music school and they work in a team. Students who may not otherwise have that outlet find success here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although music education is inherently practical, Ms Barlow said the subjects she teaches support students to develop skills which can apply directly to the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means students can see themselves in the roles,\u201d she said. \u201cThis week, students have been working with a professional audio engineer, which is really inspiring for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a large retention rate of students who finish the course and continue on in the industry. Universities and employers see that they\u2019ve already got experience and take them on.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said she\u2019s grateful that the hard work of many nominated teachers across the country will be celebrated throughout the awards process.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeachers often work hundreds of hours without pay, and sacrifice a huge amount, so it\u2019s really good to highlight them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe education and arts industries have had a really tough time over the last three years, but they are essential. Education is the freedom to anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finalists will be announced in early-to-mid Spring before the ARIA Awards are held in November.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Grammar music teacher and instrumentalist Sarah Barlow could be attending this year\u2019s ARIA Awards. Ms Barlow teaches music performance and sound production to senior Victorian Certificate of Education and Vocational Education and Training students, and has been nominated for the 2023 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award. She said her nominator remains a mystery, but […]<\/p>\n