When popular Australian music act The Veronicas surprised Kathryn McLennan at school one day with her nomination for a national Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award, joy quickly overflowed as she spoke about how much it would mean for her students and community.
A love for music lessons throughout her childhood ignited Kathryn's passion as an adult, to bring the same opportunity to other children regardless of their background or location.
'It’s largely thanks to my amazing first school music teacher, who was so supportive when I started learning piano aged 8,' says Kathryn, affectionately known by her own students as Mrs Mac.
'I picked the hardest pieces but instead of dampening my enthusiasm, my music teacher always encouraged me to do my best, which increased my confidence—and now I try to be like her.'
Musical career takes flight in rural and remote communities
Mrs Mac began her teaching career in Roma, Quilpie, Charleville and Cunnamulla where she started sharing her passion for music with young rural students.
'I just loved everything about instrumental music and I was employed under a program where we were flown to teach primary and high school students at a range of Western Queensland schools across a 500-mile radius every week,' says Mrs Mac.
'I couldn’t believe I got paid to combine my 2 loves of teaching music and flying!'
A later opportunity arose for Mrs Mac to teach music to students in Coen and Hopevale, North Queensland, enabling her to share the joy of music even further.
Mrs Mac was delighted to help mentor teachers there, in developing their students' rhythm and deep love for music; sharing her skills and childhood experience of receiving plenty of positive affirmation and encouragement.
The Saibai Island community in the Torres Strait, subsequently heard about Mrs Mac's work and actively sought out her skills, aware of research proving the wide-ranging benefits of music on other aspects of education and wellbeing.
On that island, she has developed children's strong singing and dance heritage by enhancing their understanding of melodies and rhythm.
'On Saibai, I recently performed a call and response activity; where students repeat a drum rhythm I tap out,' Mrs Mac explains.
'We were so impressed when 1 student nailed a very complex pattern on the spot, straight away and the reaction was priceless.'
The student's teacher said it boosted this student's confidence enormously in other lessons which was music to Mrs Mac's ears.
'These children embrace music so much—they remember everything I teach them and I also love learning from their cultures; including some local language.'
Understanding every child
Settling in Brisbane after her early career in Western Queensland, Mrs Mac has been teaching music at Virginia State School for 34 years. She has brought the same aspiration to her program there.
Her key to success in sharing her passion for music with students, whether it be in urban or remote settings, is her effort to really get to know every child.
In the Virginia State School program, she sees no barriers to participation, working closely with families to ensure instruments are adapted to suit a child's needs and all children can go on school music tours to experience the joy and benefits of music.
'I get to know families, as well as their children, because it makes a huge difference to understand their background and what students may need to excel.
'It also helps to have parents and staff learning instruments and performing with the students, which is a huge benefit for everyone to share in the music learning experience together.
'A great team of parents also work hard to support us, especially with fundraising.
'Since I began in 1991, we now have more than 200 students in 2 choirs, a 120-piece concert band and a 30-piece jazz band and this will be the 26th year I've taken Virginia State School students on music tours around Queensland and New South Wales.
'Students remember performing with so much pride, which builds their self-esteem and confidence because they experience in concrete terms, how they can succeed.'
Mrs Mac also inspires children who may not engage as easily with an instrument to excel by being involved in music technology.
'These kids are responsible for setting up all the audio tech equipment for our concerts on their own, dealing with thousands of dollars worth of equipment like professionals.
'My focus is on having fun performing—not competing—so our music program is really successful in building pride, ethics and teamwork skills.'
Coming full circle
Mrs Mac's childhood passion for music has influenced the lives of others, through the personalised attention she gives to each and every student.
A former music student who wrote to Mrs Mac summed up how this well-loved teacher has helped bring the joy of music to all students, regardless of their background.
'I can think of no better way to say thank you, Mrs Mac, than to tell you that thanks to you, I will do my utmost to be as good a music teacher as you were to me.
'Thank you for your encouragement, your enthusiasm, your love and your inspiration.'
Just like her own first music teacher, Mrs Mac’s award-winning ways have not only brought the benefits of music to students from all walks of life—but even started to inspire the next generation of music teachers.