Help Ahna explore Music Teaching in New Zealand Primary Schools!

Kia ora! My name is Ahna Jensen and I have just been accepted into a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education at Victoria University of Wellington.

Ever since I began university I became increasingly perplexed by the lack of music and the arts in primary schools. New Zealand children have the opportunity to learn to read and write and do math however there is little opportunity to be creative through music.

My PhD aims to explore the effect of a music intervention on a primary school level. This would include examining the ease at which the classroom teacher can adapt high level music teachings into the classroom and the student response. Keeping in mind the strain, if any, upon the teacher and schools as a result of this. While the benefit is not as easily quantified, case studies can be used to identify the effects.

In 2017 I worked with multiple cultural and musical influences to understand ways in which a uniquely New Zealand perspective could be brought to music education. Through composition I found it was possible to bridge the gap between classical music and cultural music. In particular, Māori music and the use of Taonga Pūoro, which connected with the children and taught them about the history of both and their different musical aspects.

Taking the chance to work with a local school I feel this study will help the community, giving kiwi kids the chance to experience and learn about music. Ultimately the intention is to provide evidence to support stronger engagement between children, culture, and music in schools across Aotearoa.

I believe this is a great opportunity to encourage better educational outcomes outside of the traditional academic means. Please help me to build a thesis strong enough to guide New Zealand educators.