The development of innovative curriculum materials owes much to the creativity and vision of the founder Dr Douglas Simper. The teaching materials were developed from the perspective of comprehensive musicianship and broad music education principles. The project began in 1991 when the author was teaching group keyboard classes at Centenary United Church, North Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.
In order to provide the proper foundations the author completed a Master of Education – Creative Arts at the University of New South Wales in 1993/1994. The thesis entitled “The Research and Design of an Original Piano Curriculum – ‘Hands on Music’ consisted of two parts:
i. “The Investigation of Piano Teaching Methods and Approaches, and the Development of an Educational Framework for Piano Teaching”.
ii The Piano Method (in one volume) and Teacher’s Handbook.
The author went on to complete a PhD in composition at Southern Cross University (New South Wales) from 1995 -1998 specialising in world music within a liberation and contextual, theological theoretical framework.
In 2000 the author and his wife Lorna Zhulan, a professional singer and teacher, emigrated to the UK and began group and individual teaching in Yorkshire and then Somerset. Initially they worked for Somerset Music and Bath and North East Somerset Music Services but in 2004 they formed Hands on Music Publishing Ltd. Since that time the method has been used with primary, secondary and adult students in both the school and private studio context.
Hands on Music and associates are highly respected in both education and music fields and are known for their creativity and artistic accomplishments but also for their integrity and dedication to building the business. The music teaching industry is often quite fragmented with a number of very isolated individuals with little or no business understanding. Hands on Music brings a high level of professionalism and teamwork to the industry. Hands on Music Head Office is in Shepton Mallet, a Somerset (UK) country town - but the operations and organisation have always included connections in Australia.
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