Music Education Twilight Seminar - Empowering young people through voice: Short Black Opera for Kids

Deborah Cheetham

Date:      Tuesday 9 June 2015    Time:      5:00pm – 6:00pm

Venue:  Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership  603-615 Queensberry St, North Melbourne

About the session

High quality music education makes a difference. This Music Symposium is the third in a series of seminars to explore innovative initiatives to increase opportunities for Victorian children and young people to participate in and experience quality music education.

In 2010, Deborah Cheetham brought together Australia’s first classically trained Indigenous ensemble to present the world premiere of ‘Pecan Summer’. The success of this opera led to the creation of Short Black Opera Company, providing performance opportunities for Indigenous singers in classical vocal music and opera.

Join this Symposium to learn about how Deborah has transformed the lives of young indigenous school children through the power of voice, through her creation of ‘Short Black Opera for Kids’ in regional and rural schools. Through this initiative indigenous school children in years 4, 5 and 6 work with her to create their own choir and opera performance for their community, ‘finding their voice’ and realising their potential.

About the key note speaker

Deborah Cheetham, AO, is Associate Dean of Indigenous Development at the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, after having served as Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development. Yorta Yorta woman, soprano, composer and educator, Deborah has performed in the theatres and concert halls of the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and throughout Australia. As Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) Deborah has been commended for "distinguished service to the performing arts, to the development of Indigenous artists, and to innovation in performance". Deborah is an inspiring teacher with 30 years’ teaching experience. 

Information on how to get to Bastow:

http://www.bastow.vic.edu.au/about-us/contact-us

There is no all-day street parking available near Bastow.

Cost: Free

Registration:

Attending the seminar at Bastow register at:

http://empoweringyoungpeoplethroughvoice.eventbrite.com.au

To participate via videoconference: please contact

Andrew McMillan on 9637 2287 or by email: mcmillan.andrew.j@edumail.vic.gov.au