Gillian Archer

Nominated by Jason Boron

2024 Award Recipient for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education: Including Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Perspectives

Gillian Archer is currently a Music Specialist at Beaumaris Primary School (WA), where she leads a Kodály-inspired   Music program from Pre-primary to Year 6. She has taught for over 16 years and has extensive experience as a classroom, ensemble and choral educator. Gillian became motivated to learn more about Kodály-inspired music education while studying with Micheál McCarthy (Senior Lecturer, WAAPA) during her Bachelor of Education (Music) degree at Edith Cowan University. In addition, Gillian has studied a Master of Music Education at the University of Hartford (USA) with Professor John Feierabend, and has completed the Australian Kodály Certificate in Music Education (Primary), First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfège (Level 1&2; and Upper Levels).  Gillian has served on the management committee for the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) WA Chapter where she made a significant contribution to developing the Music Education Indigenous Resource Webpage. She has also served on the management committee for Kodály WA for many years. Her master’s research project was Kodály-inspired and focused on pedagogical factors influencing accurate singing in preschool students. During this time, she began incorporating Indigenous languages and music into her teaching and hopes that her work empowers other educators to embrace diverse cultural perspectives in their practice.   

1. Demonstrated personal teaching and musical excellence.
Since first meeting Gillian Archer in 2011, I have been inspired by her commitment to Kodály-inspired music education. After completing the Australian Kodály Certificate (AKC) in Primary Music Education through the Cuskelly College of Music, Gillian completed a Master of Music Education at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, studying with Professor John Feierabend. Gillian’s musical and teaching expertise was critical to developing the ASME WA Chapter Music Education Indigenous Resource Pages, including Kodály-inspired lesson plans and activities that advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ perspectives in the music classroom.

2. Demonstrated contribution of work to Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community.
While studying in the United States, Gillian became more interested in Australian Aboriginal music and presented a comparison of Noongar and Western perspectives to peers and colleagues. This work also led to the development of materials and a presentation on Torres Strait Islander music for Lillie Feierabend’s Song and Dances from Around the World course. As a member of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) WA Chapter Council, Gillian utilised her expertise to support the development of the Music Education Indigenous Resource Webpage. This project involved collaborative work with Aboriginal Elders and people (including Professor Clint Bracknell), the community organisation Kaartijin Noongar (Noongar Knowledge), ASME WA members and other music educators. Upon reviewing the teaching material developed, it became clear Gillian’s influence – lesson plans and teaching resources reflected principles and practices associated with Australian Kodály-inspired music education.

3. Demonstrated impact of work on Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community.
Gillian’s work has also helped equip other music educators with resources and the confidence to include Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ music, knowledge, and perspectives in their teaching. She has delivered professional learning for music education professional associations, including Kodály WA and ASME WA, and regularly shares knowledge via music teacher professional networks. Gillian has also been an invited presenter for other school in-service workshops and events. During the launch of the ASME WA Music Education Indigenous Resource Webpage, her presentation of a strategy for utilising Kodály-philosophy as a vehicle for engaging with First Nations repertoire sparked powerful conversations and insights from attendees. These resources have benefited music educators across Australia, including my pre-service educator colleagues at Edith Cowan University.

4. Potential model for others. Gillian is an incredible example of how a single teacher can positively impact their school community and colleagues more broadly.
Her commitment to Kodály-inspired music education is reflected in her significant further study and professional development activities. She is an incredibly reflective practitioner and is passionate about advancing music education. Gillian is generous in her support of others. She has freely shared new resources, strategies and materials that support the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Perspectives in the music classroom. I believe her work serves as an example for others in our Kodály Australia community to aspire to.