Awards for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education

The Awards for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education seek to recognise members of our community who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution and impact benefitting Australian Kodály-inspired music education.

About the Awards

2026 Awards for Excellence Information Sheet and Nomination Form

Recipients will be awarded for each of the following categories for work completed within the past two years:

1. Innovation – for outstanding innovation in Australian Kodály-inspired music education
2. Research – for outstanding research output (including traditional and creative works) investigating Australian Kodály-inspired music education
3. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Perspectives – for an outstanding example of including Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ perspectives in Australian Kodaly-inspired music education
4. Early Career Teacher (within 5 years of completing initial teacher education) – for an outstanding example of early-career teaching practice informed by Australian Kodály-inspired music education
5. Mentoring – for an outstanding example of mentoring in Australian Kodály-inspired music education

Each application will be assessed according to the following criteria relevant to the nominated category:

1. Demonstrated personal teaching and musical excellence
2. Demonstrated contribution of work to Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community
3. Demonstrated impact of work on Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community
4. Potential model for others

Apply

Nominations for the 2028 awards will open 1 January 2028 and close 31 March 2028.

2026 Recipients

Early Career Teacher 
Jacob Correia (WA)
Imogen Stewart (NSW)
Sarah Whiteley (SA)

Mentoring
Dr James Cuskelly (Qld/NSW) & Michael Muller (Qld/NSW)
Jaki Fraser (ACT)
Joanne McMahon (NSW)
Mark O’Leary OAM (Vic)

Innovation
Jennifer Gillan (Vic)
Veronica Marrie (SA)
Jarrod Schindler (ACT)

Research
Selena Sanzana (WA)
Dr Anna van Veldhuisen (Vic)

2024 Recipients

Early Career Teacher 
Suriya Umapathysivam (SA)

Mentoring 
Alexandra Dalman (SA)
Susan Fredline (Qld)
Ruth Friend (Vic)

Including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Perspectives 
Gillian Archer (WA)

Innovation 
Deb Brydon (Qld) & Debbie O’Shea (Qld)
Belinda Dolan (Qld)
Stephanie Eaton (SA)
Kimberley Lloyd (WA)
Dr Anna Mlynek-Kalman (Vic)
Hilary Price (WA)

Research 
Dr Jason Goopy (Qld/WA)

2022 Recipients

Early Career Teacher
Melissa Foss (WA)

Mentoring
Hayley Blakiston (Vic)
Katharine Finlayson (ACT)
Gaby Freer (SA)
Dr Anthony Young (Qld)

Including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Perspectives
John Goulter (Qld)
Renée Heron (Vic)

Innovation
Dr Michael Bradshaw (NSW)
Joel Copeland (ACT)
Andrew Pennay (Qld)
Rosalie Scott (WA)

Research
Dr Aleta King (NSW)