Nominations for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award are now open

The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award is making a return for 2021.

The award, which was first launched alongside The Song Room five years ago, aims to highlight the contributions of Australia’s musical education sector by celebrating their dedication to making a positive impact on students and the wider community.

The Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award also serves as a way of raising awareness of the importance of music in education, with three out of four Australian children not having access to specialist music education at school despite its proven benefits to students’ academic results, attendance and self-esteem.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd welcomed the return of the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award for 2021, noting the importance of music teachers in the formative stages of artists.

“For the fifth year running, ARIA is asking Australians to nominate outstanding music teachers. We are looking for submissions from across the country nominating teachers who work with any age group to be considered for this very special award,” she said.

“Behind almost every artist who makes it to the ARIA Awards stage is a dedicated music teacher or mentor, and the ARIA Music Teacher Award is about recognising that important contribution.”

Alice Gerlach, CEO of The Song Room, said the organisation is thrilled to partner with ARIA to acknowledge the impact that music teachers have on children and communities.

“Witnessing the enormous effect that music education had on students during 2020 affirmed how life-changing music can be. Many vulnerable children stayed connected to their learning during this turbulent year because of music at their school,” she added.

Public nominations for the award open today, with a shortlist of nominees being announced at the ARIA Season Launch later this October ahead of the winner’s announcement at the 2021 ARIA Awards in November.

Each teacher to make it to the shortlist will also be partnered with an artist ambassador to connect with the school and tell the story of its nominated teacher.

Previous Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award ambassadors include Emma Watkins of The Wiggles, Missy Higgins, Guy Sebastian, Thelma Plum and The Veronicas.

You can find out more information and submit nominations here.