I teach all styles of music, including composition, arrangement, and improvisation, take students through AMEB prep-grade 8 exams, hold regular piano concerts with my students and fellow musicians.

• I also teach singing and have a children’s choir at St Silas church Albert Park. We rehearse every Thursday from 4-5 p.m. during school terms. I had this choir for the last ten years now!
• I organize a Christmas Concert at St Silas Church, Albert Park and recruit adult choir, children choir, and professional musicians

• I am involved in the ‘Bay Street Festival‘ in Port Melbourne and encourage music education in our local schools. We invite local school choirs, orchestras, ensembles and bands, including professional musicians to be a part of this great event that happens at the end of each year in the last week of November or the beginning of December on Friday night.

If you are interested in lessons or joining the choir or Christmas concert production
please contact me on 04 487 649 73 or email: natvag@iinet.net.au

Little about myself:

Natasha or Natalya (same) Vagner

was born in Kazakhstan, lived in Russia and the USA, and immigrated to Australia in 1998. ‘All my life I’ve been studying and teaching music. I love inspiring children about music. I am very lucky.’ Education:

• Masters of Music in Composition (Melbourne University)
• Bachelor of Music (piano) (‘Temirtau’ College, Kazakhstan)
• Bachelor of Music (Australian Catholic University)
• Diploma in Education (Melbourne University)

Thoughts on Music

My beliefs as a music teacher

The study of music is essential to the emotional, intellectual, physical and social growth and well being of all students. It contributes in a profound way to a complete understanding of their world. As a music educator, I strive to inspire students about music. I foster collaborative work practices and set open-ended, inclusive tasks that encourage students to work to their full potential. I encourage innovative approaches in the creation and performance of music, which will enhance imaginative thinking and self–expression.

The musical development of a child should be a creative fun process through rhythmic and melodic materials, games and activities. I believe that music education should be a fun, creative and innovative exploration of the sounds and rhythms around us. The musical activities should be relevant and entertaining. But music is not just entertainment, it is a subject that allows us to explore our world with sounds and meaning.

In a group of students, I like teaching music using the Zoltan Kodaly system. It is a singing-based system, and singing is the most natural thing to do for the human body. The Kodaly ideas of teaching young children were adopted by many European cultures that benefited from their own cultural heritage of folk songs.

Also, in my classroom teaching, I use Carl Orff techniques. His theory of music education involves a great process of exploration and experience that contributes to musical discovery. I believe that children’s education about music starts with exploration and experience. They should explore the world of sounds, music around them, and reflect on it. My role as a teacher is to bring joy and enlightenment to musical education and to bring a sense of beauty and wonder through music.

Creativeness

I believe that musical education should be as creative as possible to foster the full potential of students, to discover their talents and nurture them through creative activities.
The composition is a self-discovery and a core of creativity. That is why I encourage composition in my piano teaching and in the class with students. The composition can be and is already part of the curriculum at some schools, where students use technology to compose their piece of music on a computer.

Music Performance

From my personal experience, I know that music performance is a very important determinant of self-confidence and social skills. The teamwork, peer interaction, problem solving and tolerance of others –all contribute to developing social skills. Music performance involves communication skills, organizational skills, self-discipline, memory training, and cognitive skills. Musical education at schools should be something fundamental rather than a marginal hobby.

Sincerely

Natasha (Natalya) Vagner

CCC ( Community Children Choir) at St Silas