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Making Music Accessible to Every Learner

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Our Professional Development workshops give you the confidence and tools to deliver music lessons in the classroom. Covering basic elements from the F-10 music curriculum, you will develop skills, ideas, and activities for immediate use. All events are designed for both generalist classroom teachers and music specialists. 
 
All workshops are curriculum aligned to the relevant State music syllabi and to the AITSL Professional Standards for Teachers. Musica Viva Australia is a NESA-recognised Professional Development provider.

Professional Development
Webinar Live - in school

Music classrooms bring together students with a wide range of learning profiles, communication styles, strengths and ways of engaging with music. By creating flexible, predictable and strengths-based learning environments, teachers can support every student to participate, connect, make choices and experience meaningful musical success. 

This professional development series is delivered across three connected sessions comprising webinars and workshops, exploring practical and inclusive approaches to music teaching that create multiple pathways for students to engage, learn and express themselves musically.

Places are limited to just 10 participants to support a focused and engaging learning experience.  

Registration is a commitment to attend all three sessions of the program. The webinars will not be recorded, and participants are expected to attend on the advertised dates and times. 

Part 1: Webinar 
Wednesday 21 October, 4–6pm  
Online via Zoom  
 
Part 2: In-Person Observation Workshop
Wednesday 28 October, 10:30 – 11:10am Introductory talk 
11:10am – 1pm Class observations (3 different classes, covering different year groups) 
Neerigen Brook Primary School, 175 Seventh Road, Perth
 
Part 3: Debrief Webinar
Wednesday 2 December, 4–6pm  
Online via Zoom 

Participants will learn alongside the same small group of colleagues across all three sessions. This cohort approach creates space for richer discussion, shared reflection, and professional connections, supporting deeper engagement with inclusive and accessible music teaching practices. 



Kirsty Mees is a music educator and practitioner with over 15 years of experience, specialising in inclusive and adaptive music education for students with diverse learning needs. Based in Western Australia, she works in Ed Support settings and leads accessible ensemble music programs that prioritise communication, wellbeing, confidence, and meaningful musical engagement. 

Kirsty is also a teaching artist and professional development presenter with Musica Viva Australia, delivering creative and accessible music experiences for students and teachers. 

She is the Co-Director of Music Making Sense, an organisation she co-founded in London that focuses on inclusive music practice, adaptive approaches, and professional learning for music practitioners. During her 12 years in the UK, she taught across a wide range of educational and community settings, developing deep expertise in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and student-centred program design. 

Kirsty holds a Bachelor of Music from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (2010) and a Master of Music Education from University College London (2019). Her work draws on current research in inclusive pedagogy and music education, bridging evidence-informed practice with practical strategies that support inclusive music learning. 

A multi-instrumentalist and experienced performer, she uses her broad musical background to create engaging, accessible learning experiences and practical professional learning for teachers. 

Event and Ticketing Details

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Dates & Times

Wednesday 21 October   Online 4PM - 6PM
Wednesday 28 October   Neerigen Brook Primary School, Perth 10:30AM – 1PM
Wednesday 2 December   Online 4PM - 6PM

Pricing

Three-part program Free, with registration

Event notes

Part 1: Webinar

Wednesday 21 October, 4–6pm  
Online via Zoom  

Participants will explore inclusive and strengths-based approaches to music teaching, with a focus on supporting diverse learning needs and making music learning accessible to every learner. The webinar will consider how barriers to participation and learning can be identified and reduced through adaptation, accessible resources and inclusive teaching practices. 

Building on participants’ existing knowledge, experience and practice, the webinar will introduce a range of practical strategies and provide opportunities for participants to share and reflect on approaches from their own teaching contexts. Strategies will include adapting musical activities, instruments and teaching approaches, and using visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and technology-based supports. Consideration will also be given to creating multiple entry points into music-making and providing meaningful opportunities for students to participate, make choices, develop confidence and creativity, and progress musically. 

Part 2: In-Person Observation Workshop

Wednesday 28 October
10:30 – 11:10am Introductory talk 
11:10am – 1pm Class observations (3 different classes, covering different year groups) 

Neerigen Brook Primary School, 175 Seventh Road, Perth 

Participants will explore inclusive and strengths-based approaches to music teaching, with a focus on supporting diverse learning needs and making music learning accessible to every learner. The webinar will consider how barriers to participation and learning can be identified and reduced through adaptation, accessible resources and inclusive teaching practices. 

Building on participants’ existing knowledge, experience and practice, the webinar will introduce a range of practical strategies and provide opportunities for participants to share and reflect on approaches from their own teaching contexts. Strategies will include adapting musical activities, instruments and teaching approaches, and using visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and technology-based supports. Consideration will also be given to creating multiple entry points into music-making and providing meaningful opportunities for students to participate, make choices, develop confidence and creativity, and progress musically. 

Part 3: Debrief Webinar

Wednesday 2 December, 4–6pm  
Online via Zoom  

Participants will reflect on the observation and consider how the strategies and approaches explored throughout the series can be adapted to their own teaching contexts. Through shared reflection, discussion and practical activities, teachers will have opportunities to exchange experiences and ideas, build on their existing practice, and consider ways to further develop accessible and inclusive music-making within their everyday teaching.

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