T2 TeachMeet Series

Musicianship Saturdays!

Brush up on your musicianship skills with Musicianship Saturdays. Beginner to advanced levels offered.

Dates: Saturday 8, 15 & 22 May
Time:  Beginner Level 1:00pm to 2:30pm (AWST)                                                                                      Advanced Level 3:00pm to 4:30pm (AWST)

Presenters: Beginner: Dr James Cuskelly OAM                                                                                                   Advanced: Réka Csernyik

Registration: Kodály Australia Members $50, Non-Members $70, Students $20

Venue: Online via zoom

Registrations are now closed!

Presenters:

Dr. James Cuskelly OAM

Dr James Cuskelly OAM is the Music Teacher at St Joseph’s School (Stanthorpe), Immediate Past-President of the International Kodály Society, Director of the Summer School Music Program, and Director of the Cuskelly College of Music. Dr Cuskelly completed undergraduate studies and a Diploma of Education at the University of Queensland. The Kodály Certificate from Holy Names College (California) was awarded in 1991 and the Master of Music studies (The University of Queensland) in 1997. He gained the Doctor of Philosophy (The University of Queensland) in Music Education in 2007. He was Head of Music Education and the Aural Musicianship Program at the University of Queensland from 2000 to 2010 and during that time received two awards for Excellence in Teaching.James has a very broad base in education, having taught in pre-school, primary and secondary classrooms as well as in tertiary institutions. His passion for music, and his ability to enthuse and bring about effective learning in students across all ages or abilities, is internationally recognized. James is committed to teacher training in music education, and consequently, is frequently asked to lead teacher in-service programs and workshops. James runs a variety of accredited teacher training programs including the Summer School Music Program (Brisbane) and programs in Malaysia and Thailand.A talented musician in his own right, James is also a highly regarded choral conductor and clinician. He is founding Director of the Queensland Kodály Choir and conductor of the women’s performing ensemble, Valency Ensemble. He runs choral workshops and is frequently invited to lead choral festivals and workshops, and since 1996, has convened the annual community choral festival in Brisbane, The Big Sing. James embodies Zoltan Kodaly’s vision of allowing people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds to access the best quality music. His humbleness and ability to work with a diverse range of people is lauded, especially in the choral world. James has been involved in the Australian Kodály Summer Training Programs since their inception. As president of the International Kodály Society, James is well known as a global leader in terms of the Kodály philosophy of music education. He has a deep commitment to music education and teacher training and has a distinguished track record in organising and delivering courses of the highest professional standard. He is also a member of the Queensland Advisory Committee and the Australian Music Examinations Board. James has a very broad base in education, having taught in Kindergarten, pre-school, primary and secondary classrooms as well as in tertiary institutions since 1987. His passion for music, and his ability to enthuse and bring about effective learning in students across all ages or abilities, is internationally recognized. James is considered a global leader in music education and he directs internationally recognized programs including the Summer School Music Program (Brisbane) and Australian Kodály Certificate programs in Malaysia, Perth and New Zealand and Indonesia. Dr Cuskelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to music education in The Queen’s Birthday 2018 Honours List.

Réka Csernyik

Réka Csernyik is one of Australia’s foremost experts in choral conducting, choral conducting pedagogy and aural musicianship. 

Born in Hungary, Réka earned Master degrees in Music Education, Choral Conducting and Church Music from the world renowned Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest. She has taught music at every level of education – with wide experience in primary and secondary schools as well as at university level. Réka held the position of Co-ordinator of Choral Conducting and lecturer of Aural Musicianship at University of Queensland from 2004 to 2010. In recognition of her work, she received the prestigious Award for Teaching Excellence in 2009. 

In 2015, Réka commenced her role of Co-ordinator of Kodály Pedagogy at the Conservatorium of High School in Sydney. Réka has also implemented the Kodály approach in the classroom music program that is now the foundation of the school’s music teaching and learning. In the school, she re-vitalised and re-organised the extensive Choral Ensemble Program with great success.

Réka’s expertise is highly sought after within Australia and overseas. She has regular engagements as a guest lecturer, clinician, adjudicator and workshop facilitator. Réka has presented papers and workshops at national and international conferences on Australian choral repertoire, music education with an emphasis on the Kodály approach. Her recent presentations include Kodály Summer Program, Brisbane (Australia)  Kodály Course Introduction, Napier (New Zealand) Kodály Winter School, Perth (Australia), a lecture on Kodály’s Pedagogical Ideas, Sydney Conservatorium (Australia), a lecture and workshop on Practice in the Classroom, Sydney Conservatorium (Australia), guest presenter at KMEIA Queensland’s biennial conference, Brisbane (Australia), workshops, rehearsals and performance at KANTA Choral Festival, Manila (The  Philippines) as well as a number of online presentations.

Réka was founder and director of Sola Voce Chamber Choir. Under Réka’s directorship the ensemble has toured extensively and won numerous national and international awards including first prize for Vocal Ensemble at the International Choral Festival in Neuchatel, Switzerland in 2010, numerous first prizes in the Canberra National Eisteddfod in 2008 and several prestigious awards including the Grand Prix (overall winner) at the 19th International Festival of Academic Choirs at Pardubice, Czech Republic in 2006. At this Festival, Réka’s conducting won her the award for Best Conductor of the Competition.

Recently, Réka has returned to Hungary, however, due to online learning being introduced in the World, she has a permanent engagement with the Conservatorium High School in Sydney. Additionally, she has established online collaboration with various music teachers and colleagues from all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, The Philippines, India, Germany, Italy and the UK.