Anne Comiskey

Anne Comiskey has had an extensive career teaching and coordinating music programs from preschool to university level and developing teaching materials for music educators. She is a passionate advocate of the accessibility of voiced-based music education for everyone and holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland and a Master of Music Education from Holy Names College in California.

In the 1980s, Anne was a member of the KMEIA (Qld) committee, with roles including treasurer and organising-committee member for Holy Names College Brisbane summer programs and the subsequent Brisbane Kodály Summer Institutes.

Anne began her tertiary teaching career lecturing in methodology and musicianship at the 1989 and 1990 Holy Names College summer programs in Brisbane and was invited to teach as guest international lecturer in the Holy Names College Kodály program in Oakland, California, for the 1990 Spring and Summer semesters (January-August). Sr Mary Alice Hein was the director of the program at the time and Anne was replacing Dr Rita Klinger who was on sabbatical.

On her return to Australia, Anne was appointed Course Leader for Education Queensland’s statewide 10-week (300 hr) Music In-service Courses, training existing music teacher staff, and musically-qualified general class teachers in the methodology to implement a developmental voice-based program for classroom music and to develop their own personal musicianship skills to a significantly higher level. The 10-week courses were held in all major cities in Queensland and were residential for teachers normally living outside the regional centres. During this time, Anne continued her teaching at KMEIA accreditation courses and seminars in Brisbane, Sydney, Mackay and Far North Queensland. She also taught at the Cairns and Mackay Winter schools.

From 2005 to 2010 Anne was an Associate Professor at the Hartt School, the tertiary music college of the University of Hartford, Connecticut, USA, teaching ear training and ear training pedagogy. The Hartt School is recognised for the Kodály-inspired ear training program undertaken by all undergraduate and graduate music students.

As a member of the University of Hartford faculty and community, Anne was awarded the honour of participating in the 2009-10 Laura Johnson Initiative for Women Leaders. During her time at the University of Hartford, Anne served as a member of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, the University Sabbatical Committee, the Faculty Senate Executive, Chair of the International Studies Committee of the Faculty Senate and on the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

During her time in the USA, Anne was invited to chair a forum at the Holy Names Kodály Program 40th Anniversary celebrations. She presented at OAKE national conferences and at the 2007 International Kodály Symposium, introducing delegates to an Australian application of Kodály-inspired teaching and learning, and to the significant Kodály-inspired program in Queensland state primary education at the time.

Anne continues her involvement in Kodály teacher education around the country, recently at the 2012 and 2014 Kodály Autumn Seminars in Melbourne, the 2016 and 2018 Australian Kodály Accreditation Course for KMEIA WA and the 2017 Back to School Day for KMEIA NSW. Anne’s passion is for inspiring and motivating learners, regardless of age, to develop confidence in their own abilities to learn about and through music using their voice.

Ann Carroll

Honorary Life Members

Latest News

International Katalin Forrai Award Tribute Concert

Recently a concert was held to honour Judy Johnson, recipient of the 2023 International Katalin Forrai Award. Judy is known to many in our community for her incredible contribution to Kodály-inspired music education in Australia and abroad. A recording of the concert can be …
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Sarolta Kodály Scholarship I for 2024-25

The International Kodály Society (IKS) has recently announced the Sarolta Kodály Scholarship I. The scholarship supports postgraduate study undertaken during the 2024-25 academic year at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy. Applications are due no later than 15 January 2024. Full information, …
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Season’s Greetings from Kodály Australia

As we approach the end of 2023, I offer best wishes from Kodály Australia for the festive season and new year ahead. Much has been achieved this year, including: Special events to celebrate 50 years of Kodály Australia More than …
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2024 Awards for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education

It is an honour to introduce the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education. These awards aim to recognise members of our community who in the past two years have made an exceptional contribution and impact in one of …
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IKS Scholarship

The International Kodály Society offers fee waiver scholarships to support participation in Kodály-inspired professional development. The closing date is 1 November 2023. Full information including selection criteria and eligibility is available on the IKS website. With best wishes Jason Boron …
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