WAO launches three-year pilot program WAO SINGS in Ellenbrook
West Australian Opera will present a brand-new three-year pilot program, WAO SINGS, which will run from 2025 - 2027. Supported by the Feilman Foundation and the City of Swan, this program will deliver choral singing classes to Grade 5 and 6 students in four schools in the Ellenbrook area.
Dr Emma Jayakumar, who composed West Australian Opera’s 2022 production of “Our Little Inventor’’, is Choral Director of the program and will work with students on a weekly basis at the four participating schools, which include Aveley Primary School, Bullsbrook College Primary School, Ellenbrook Primary School and Malvern Springs Primary School.
Dr Emma Jayakumar said, “At West Australian Opera we are incredibly passionate about nurturing and supporting local talent and we are thrilled that the Feilman Foundation has generously provided us with the support to establish the exciting WAO SINGS initiative. I’m very much looking forward to teaching and sharing the joy of singing with a new generation of WA school children.”
As part of WAO SINGS, students will learn pieces across a range of genres, including in languages such as Italian, French, German and Noongar, which they will then perform at an end of school year concert. WAO SINGS puts emphasis on the integration of The Kids Research Institute of Australia’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing in the Arts (SEW ARTS) research framework, including supporting pedagogies centred on student wellbeing and the fostering of positive learning environments through the arts.”
Ellenbrook Primary School performing arts teacher, Michelle Eisenhauer said, “By providing an inclusive, friendly environment where all students, no matter their background, can participate, this program will foster a strong sense of camaraderie and community for our students. The program's no-cost structure is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures that every student can access high-quality music education without financial constraints. Additionally, the in-person professional development opportunity this program offers our faculty is invaluable.”
“Research shows that music education improves emotional expression, reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes soft skills development. By incorporating the principles of lifelong learning, WAO SINGS will help to prepare our students for future achievements in a variety of fields.”
Malvern Springs Primary School’s principal, Penelope Reynolds and music specialist Alison Robeson said, “Children face many challenges in the world we live in, and research shows that choral singing has a very positive impact on young lives in the form of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and social engagement.”
The Feilman Foundation, which was founded in 1976 by Mrs Ethel Feilman, has supported this initiative. Nicholas Henry Chairman of the Feilman Foundation said, “The Feilman Foundation is thrilled to support the WAO SINGS program, an initiative that embodies our commitment to enhancing arts and culture within communities. It is our privilege to collaborate with the West Australian Opera in nurturing young talent and fostering vibrant cultural experiences in the Ellenbrook area through access to high-quality musical education. We believe that initiatives like WAO SINGS play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community, and we are proud to be a part of it."
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Daniele Foti-Cuzzola, West Australian Opera, Media Consultant
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