TEACHER HITS HIGH NOTE WITH ARIA NOD
A PIMLICO State High School teacher has found himself among Australia’s music greats.
Ashley Baxter, Pimlico’s director of music, was nominated for a Telstra Aria Music Teacher of the Year award. He was one of four music teachers across Australia nominated for the honour, alongside Zoe Barry from Sacred Heart School in Melbourne, Aaron Silver from Wodonga Primary School in regional Victoria, and Daniel Wilson from Star Struck in Newcastle.
As part of the nomination, Aria-award winning singer Amy Shark visited the school to spend the day with him and the music students.
Mr Baxter said he was honoured to be nominated for the award, but said he was part of a team that made Pimlico’s music program one of the best in the city.
Mr Baxter said not every student he taught would end up a performer, composer or musician, but he was teaching them skills they could apply to any career.
“The skills from having a music education ... they really have positive effects on all walks of life,” he said.
“It’s not just about making them better musicians or performers, it’s about making them better humans.”
Mr Baxter said it was exciting to have one of the biggest artists in the world visit the school.
”She’s performed on stage on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, she’s performed at the NRL grand final, State of Origin … she’s someone who has battled to where she got to, where she is,” he said.
“She’s an amazing person who is incredibly humble and ... yes, she was there for me, but the time she had for the students was outstanding as well.’’