April is a graduate of the University of Newcastle where she gained an Arts Degree majoring in English; a First-Class Honours degree in Music; and a Graduate Dip. Ed. in Primary Education. April also holds a Master of Arts (Music) degree from Truman State University in the USA.
Since returning to Australia in 2005 April has worked successfully with all levels and ages of violin learners: beginning, intermediate and advanced students. She worked for the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium and the Central Coast Conservatorium before beginning work for NECOM in 2009. She has experience preparing advanced students for high level Diploma examinations for the AMEB and for Higher School Certificate examinations; and has completed three levels of the Australian Kodaly Certificate in the primary education strand.
April has a variety of special interests. These include teaching music in the classroom context; the promotion and development of chamber music for students of all ages and standards; the application of Alexander Technique and body mapping to instrumental learning to enable a student to develop optimal violin and viola technique at all stages of performance; choral conducting and the inclusion of Kodaly pedagogy in choral and instrumental contexts; Dalcroze eurhythmics and its use in instrumental learning; the promotion of access to high quality music education for all students, including those at public schools and with specific learning needs; and play-based early childhood music.