ARIA hope for teacher
FROM mature-aged university student to ARIA nominee, a Gold Coast school teacher is on his way to the nation’s most prestigious music awards.
Nerang State High School teacher Dean Harawira has edged out 1600 nominations to be named one of four finalists in the Music Teacher of the Year Award.
The honour presented by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and The Song Room, a national arts education organisation, is aimed at showcasing the most talented and passionate teachers working on a music program in Australia.
Bass player Mr Harawira isn’t used to the limelight and says he was a bit surprised to be sharing the ARIA Award nominations list with the likes of Amy Shark, Dan Sultan and Kasey Chambers.
“The nomination was a surprise, I am usually happy to be in the background instead,” Mr Harawira said.
“I just do what I do, I have been a professional musician since I left high school and so it is about bringing that passion to them (students).”
Mr Harawira became a music teacher just six years ago after spending decades travelling the world as a backing musician for the likes of Guy Sebastian, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Kate Ceberano, to name a few.
“There were a lot of live performances. I was travelling all the time and I realised I was meeting my useby date, but I wanted to keep doing what I loved,” he said.
So at 42 years of age Mr Harawira went to university to discover his second passion, teaching.
“It was hard going back to that environment and getting back your ability to focus, but I was lucky enough to get a job at Nerang State High School straight away,” he said.
The passionate musician says he now brings his experience in the music industry to the classroom.
“We are doing really well with our drum line and our funk band has won some awards,” Mr Harawira said.
Public voting has opened at www.ariamusicteacheraward.com.au website.
The music teacher who polls the most public votes will be presented with the ARIA at the 2018 ARIA Awards in Sydney on November 28.