Fiddlesticks Performing Arts
Fiddlesticks Performing Arts is a children’s music school run by local musicians leading and shaping music education in Baw Baw Shire.
Offering classes currently for 0-12years, the Fiddlesticks team deliver high quality, fun and nurturing environment for our young musicians.
Jayne Neilson (B.mus/B.teach, The University of Melbourne) the Director founded the business in 2017 and holds over 25 years of experience in music education and is concert master playing the violin in the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra.
The big dream is to provide greater access for music education for all throughout Gippsland.
Music is an inclusive, intergenerational activity for life and there is certainly a growing need for connection through the Arts especially for children and youth in our region.
The program at Fiddlesticks includes music for our smallest community members in classes Baby Beats, Toddle Tunes, Vivapreschool and kinder Violin, taught by Libby Willems, Davina Ashworth and Jayne.
Fiddlesticks has also recently released their primary school chapter, after so many of our local schools lost their music/performing arts programs in their general curriculum due to funding.
Jambo which is for lower primary aged children invites opportunities to learn ukulele, keyboard, Violin, musicianship, world dance and a twist of Circus skills.
Ruckus is an upper primary class led by Ben Lawrence, teaching guitar, piano, drums and vocal technique to create a real rock band that performs at the end of each semester.
Fiddlesticks believes that music is for everyone and that includes children who need support, less sensory stimulating environment.
This year in 2023 they welcome Kim Howard who is a qualified Occupational therapist, who is teaching and developing ‘Calm classes’.
Kim’s classes focus heavily on areas of learning to self regulate, gross and fine motor skills development and moving in fun ways to music.
Using the relaxing sling swings at the end is a complete highlight for the students.
So much happening down at Fiddlesticks and we’re not done yet either.
Adults can keep an eye on our social media pages for guitar for grown ups, fun jam sessions and Irish music nights to return in term 2.