Margaret has an Honours degree in Science, majoring in music education (K-12 Instrumental) from the University of Minnesota, USA. She is currently undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Music Practice at the University of Tasmania.
Margaret began working with beginner string players while in high school in the USA, and when she moved to Australia in the early 1970s, she made her mark very quickly, starting instrumental programs in schools in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
Philosophy It is profoundly important to Margaret that students have a positive experience of music. Striving to achieve this has led to constant learning about teaching. Margaret has studied different methods, including Suzuki in Japan, Louis Spohr, Karl Flesch, Sevcik and Dalcroze. She has developed teaching approaches that match the age, stage and needs of individual students. She has also created a range of exercises to correct technical problems. Margaret loves teaching. She learns from her students and the individual issues that each person brings requires her to think deeply about meeting a technical need in a way that works for that student. Margaret has realised, through working with people at all ages, stages, health issues and personal traumas that learning an instrument is a by-product of working with a person. It is difficult to describe the value of the relationship between music teacher and student - music is one of the rare chances to have a one on one relationship between teacher and student. Margaret strongly encourages early involvement in ensembles. She is an enthusiastic advocate of people enjoying making music together at whatever age and stage.
Burnie Stringalong Club In 2007, as a result of Lynne Prices's extraordinary initative, Margaret was asked to work in disadvantaged primary schools in the north-west of Tasmania. She led the funded program and it continues today. More schools joined and the program fed promising young string players into high schools. Stringalong is now led by a fine local violinist. Margaret maintains connection and support. |  Private teaching Margaret has a flourishing private studio teaching violin, viola and cello with a waiting list. She teaches students from very young ages to significantly older ages Advanced students are given the opportunity to experience senior teachers in Hobart such as Jo St Leon (viola) and Brendan Conroy (cello), who work with Margaret in setting the program for the student. Students with Asperger's syndrome Margaret has had considerable experience working with people who have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. She loves the interaction and the way learning an instrument allows the student and teacher to work together on solving a shared and fascinating problem. Musical notation and language provides as solid structural and intellectual basis. Add to this the strength and safety of a one on one relationship with a teacher, then many music and life skills are learned and practiced. |
Adult learners  | In the last decade Margaret has noticed a steadily increasing number of adults wanting to learn a stringed instrument. Many have had no previous musical experience. Margaret particularly loves a parent asking to learn, having been inspired by their child. They start the journey not only learning how to hold a bow, but also learning a new language - the language of musical notation. Margaret particularly enjoys working with adults and is constantly amazed and delighted by the power that evolving musical competence brings to the life of an adult. |
Margaret's experience in teaching adults consistently reinforces that age is no barrier.
