In this practical demonstration, Anthony van den Broek will outline an approach to teaching general knowledge components in a way that enriches and enlivens the practical music lesson. Starting with the most basic pieces right up to the diploma level, teaching music history, style and theory as you go leads to a fuller and richer understanding of key musical concepts and avoids the "in one ear and out the other" kind of cramming that often occurs before their exams. 

The lecture will cover how to teach your students objective ways of answering questions on style, history and analysis and will look at some especially modern tools that you and your more advanced students can use to help to super-charge this research. 

About the Presenter

Anthony van den Broek 
BMus, LRSM, LMusA, DipABRSM, AMusA (Piano), AMusA (Harmony and Counterpoint)

Anthony van den Broek is a passionate pianist and teacher. He learnt the piano and organ from the age of 5 and majored in piano and harpsichord performance at UNSW. Anthony's musicological research focussed on historical performance practices of the baroque, classical and romantic repertoire, analysis and interpretation, as well as the keyboard and organ works of Bach and Messiaen.

Anthony is an examiner with the AMEB and has taught piano, theory and pedagogy to students of all ages and levels for the past 25 years. He is a Certified Instructor of the Taubman Approach for Piano (Golandsky Institute, USA), a groundbreaking approach that helps pianists overcome technical limitations as well as cure playing-related injuries. He spends considerable time teaching, mentoring and preparing current and future piano teachers for success in Teaching Diplomas, has lectured at Australian and international universities, and adjudicated piano competitions in the UK, USA and Australia.

First Thursdays

These regular professional development sessions were originally the brainchild of MTA Member Annette Allerding, who wanted music teachers to be able to meet and share ideas. Originally named Keys, Cakes and Conversation (KCC) the group went online during Covid, and eventually reached numbers often in excess of 50 teachers, meeting each month on Zoom. The Music Teachers' Association of NSW is delighted to bring these sessions into our fold. We want the sessions to continue to be free to our members, but we also believe it is important to pay presenters for their valuable time. So we ask you to consider a giving a donation towards the costs if you are able. You will be given the option to donate when you book your place.