Hillary Price

Nominated by Jason Boron

2024 Award Recipient for Excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education: Innovation

1. Demonstrated personal teaching and musical excellence.
Since first meeting Hilary Price in 2013, I have been inspired by her commitment to Kodály-inspired music education. As a colleague (then at Presbyterian Ladies’ College and now Edith Cowan University), her innovative work is underpinned by outstanding teaching and high levels of musicianship. Hilary is a highly qualified Kodály-inspired music educator with postgraduate diplomas (in Piano Pedagogy, and General Pedagogy/Choral Conducting) from the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music, Hungary, as well as a Master of Music in Music Education (with a Kodály emphasis) from Holy Names University, USA. Hilary is also an accredited lecturer of the Australian Kodály Certificate.

2. Demonstrated contribution of work to Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community.
Hilary is highly respected as a Kodály-inspired music educator within the Australian community. For over seven years, she taught across early childhood, primary and secondary contexts at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, including in the Daily Music Program (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2) at Presbyterian Ladies’ College within the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years’ Programme (IB PYP). In November 2021, Hilary established her private music studio, School of Musical Heartbeats, to extend quality Kodály-inspired music education to individuals of all ages and abilities in Perth. While such initiatives are not uncommon, the decision to offer Kodály-inspired group music education classes for very young children and their parents was an innovative (and most welcome) initiative. Hilary has demonstrated an outstanding ability to adapt Kodály-inspired music education principles in an adult learning context. She has offered (through her business) Kodály-inspired musicianship classes for adults and regular professional workshops for music educators. This is in addition to her work teaching early childhood and primary pre-service educators at Edith Cowan University, and as the conductor of a community choir, the Perth Irish Choir.

3. Demonstrated impact of work on Australian Kodály-inspired music education and/or the Kodály Australia community.
In just three years, Hilary has developed School of Musical Heartbeats into a well-established and highly respected Kodály-inspired group music education program for children from birth to age 8. Given the (then recent) retirement of an excellent Kodály-inspired early childhood music educator, Hilary’s work has ensured that Perth parents and young children can continue to access exceptional-quality Kodály-inspired early childhood music education. She has also engaged more broadly with the community through the offering of group classes (for parents and children) at local cafés and playgroups throughout Perth. Furthermore, the introduction of weekly adult musicianship courses and music educator professional learning workshops has enabled more regular access to Kodály-inspired music education professional development within the Perth metropolitan area. The musicianship classes have been of particular benefit to primary music educators who have not yet had more formal opportunities for music education. “I’ve been using so many of the songs and dances you taught us and it’s all going so well. I’ve recently started singing stories to the PPs and Yr 1s at the end of the lesson like you suggested and it’s great! So, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas and experience. Your enthusiasm for music teaching and your wealth of knowledge has really inspired me to become a great music teacher too.” Music educator attending professional learning workshops. Hilary is also in regular demand as a workshop presenter and adjudicator. Given her outstanding reputation within the WA community, these activities have helped advance Kodály-inspired music education and Kodály WA more broadly.

4. Potential model for others.
While we are fortunate in WA to have several Kodály-inspired music educators working in school contexts, Hilary’s work, particularly through her School of Musical Heartbeats, serves as an example of high-quality practice (and point of advocacy) for parents and caregivers. “As an adult, I find myself fully engaged and compelled by the material, and it’s been a delight attending these sessions with my sons.” Parent of child attending School of Musical Heartbeats classes. As current Vice President of Kodály WA, Hilary also serves as a leader and example of service for members of our Kodály Australia community. Her work reflects her energetic and positive personality – everyone who engages with her speaks of her commitment, energy, and quality of work. Finally, I believe Hilary’s work is unique in that she has taught successfully across all ages – from birth, early years, primary, secondary, and adults. This example serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Kodály-inspired music education for all people and stages of life.