Pupil power places inspirational Miss at top of the Classic
TEACHER OF NOTE GRACE WINS TOP AWARD Sixth-year kids surprise music head by nominating her for national accolade
rhythm and blues, jazz, a ceilidh band and even a ukulele group.
She has also worked hard to introduce several new productions to the music department and the school.
And she was delighted to organise the school’s first musical in a decade. as well as having an integral role in the annual St David’s Christmas Concert.
Grace plays piano and violin but admits to being a “bit of a jack of all trades” and is more than passable on the drums, bass and ukulele as well as a clutch of other instruments.
And she loves to be able to inspire her pupils to get out and perform.
This year she staged Seussical – a musical based on the works of Dr Seuss – which was a great success.
She said: “I can’t put into words the feelings you get when you see it all come together and see the kids flourish and blossom on stage.”
And Grace now has her sights set on next year’s summer show.
She added: “We just found out we have secured the rights to Sister Act so we are very excited about that.”
But as Grace is currently on holiday in Hawaii she was unable to pick up the award in person. Instead her pupils Brooke Combe and Aidan O’Brien collected it from Classic FM presenter Myleene Klass in her place.
She said: “I was gutted I couldn’t be there but two of my pupils went to collect it on my behalf.”
The judges said her role went “far beyond day-to-day classroom teaching”.
They added: “She gives much of her own time to ensure the personal development of each of her pupils is the most productive it can be, achieving impressive results.
“Her leadership has seen a resurgence of music at the school, with the establishment of numerous ensembles under her leadership across a variety of styles and the first musical to be held at the school in over 10 years, which she produced, directed and organised all the technical work.
“Her positivity and inspirational outlook is infectious, and her pupils have confidence to approach her as a mentor in areas outside of music too.”
My pupils put me forward. I was nearly in tears realising just how much I meant to them