What I’m proud of in 2023
I am writing this in the first few days of 2024. 2023 was another crazy year and as I reflect on the things that came and passed, I remember things that I forgot even happened, and there are likely so many more that I haven’t remembered for this blog!
Early in the year I had ambitions to travel to Canberra to meet with teachers and performers that have achieved so much in their careers. I spent a lot of time deliberating whether it was worth the money and the trip, but I reached out to several of the teachers in Canberra (some of them legends in the classical guitar world), and they graciously agreed to meet for lessons and to meet up. It was decided and off I went with my guitar across Australia to the Australian Capital Territory, a city I’d never been to and honestly had no reason to be there besides these people. I learnt so much in my short time in Canberra which informed how I thought about my playing and also my teaching, which became a big part of the last half of my 2023.
Not long after my Canberra trip, I began my Master of Teaching in secondary music education. Studying this degree which aligned with the school terms was a long and difficult year. This meant double the amount of units to be studied in the year, and double the amount of time. Doing this on top of my current teaching duties (which increased with another classical guitar teaching position at another school), proved difficult at times, but I’d glad to have finished the year on a high and even more glad to only have 6 months left of my degree. Starting this degree has pushed me in the direction of music classroom teaching alongside my classical guitar teaching, which I believe help each other. The best learning experiences for this were on professional placement at a school teaching Years 7-12 music classes. I didn’t think I could enjoy it as much as I did, and I think that I strive in the school environment, reminding me of my days as a hard working student.
As a teacher, this was the first year that my ensembles played in various festivals and school events, putting the hard work of my students and myself on stage for the first time. All of these experiences have taught me something new and it is an exciting prospect that each year I get the chance to build upon the previous year and motivate my students to rise to the occasion.
While I haven’t seen the same success as making the finals of the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition in 2021, traveling to Adelaide for the festival has been a highlight in the last couple of years. The preparation and practice in the lead up to the competition is intense, especially with the busyness of school and university. While the disappointment of not making the finals takes its toll initially, the festival continues and it turns into a great opportunity. At the festival I have met many international guitarists, made new friends, seen many amazing concerts, and practiced my Spanish listening skills (who would have known all my Spanish lessons on DuoLingo would first be used in Adelaide rather than in Spain!). At this stage, with my increased teaching load and interest in teaching, the 2023 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition may have been my last. At the very least, my last for now.
And as always, while I have moved into a degree that is ultimately outside of the music department, I continued my participation in the university quartet, the larger guitar ensemble, and various other musical pursuits. In a reduced capacity, I hope that 2024 will allow me the opportunity to participate in events and stay connected to the growing guitar studio at the university level.
I have surely missed something here in this blog, but so much happens every year that it is impossible to remember every detail. I have been to many concerts, played in many concerts, taught many guitar lessons and learnt new teaching strategies.
All the best for now - see you in the next blog!