Now in its eighth year, ARIA Music Teacher Award, in partnership with The Song Room, highlights the vital role that music teachers play in fostering a love of music among students, shining a light on the importance of music education to improve students’ wellbeing, learning and community connection.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd says the 2024 nominees are an extraordinary bunch and testament to the diversity and impact of music education across Australia.

“From fostering inclusivity in high-performing academic environments to reviving Indigenous languages through song, these educators have gone above and beyond to ensure that music is accessible, meaningful, and transformative for all their students,” she says.

“It’s an honour to recognise their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians and music lovers.”

Every year, the public helps determine the winner of the Award, with the winner announced at the ARIA Awards on Wednesday, November 20, broadcast on Channel Nine and Stan.

Before letting you know where you can vote, here are this year’s nominees:

  • Hayley Wedding from Seaview High School, Kaurna Country, South Australia
  • Nathaniel Miller from Bulman School, Bulman Community, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
  • Susan Sukkar from Petersham Public School, Lewisham, Gadigal and Wangal Country, NSW
  • Casey Allen from PLC Sydney, Croydon, Gadigal and Wangal Country, NSW

The nominees were surprised by celebrated artist ambassadors, who each visited a school to share the exciting news. This year’s ambassadors are Meg Mac, Sarah McLeod, Emma Memma and Jessica Mauboy.

Meet the Nominees

Hayley Wedding

Seaview High School, SA

Hayley makes it her daily mission to create a supportive environment and empower students to thrive and reach their full potential by embracing new challenges and persevering through difficulties. Her belief is that every student has the capacity to excel when given the opportunity, regardless of barriers they may face.

The Seaview High School music program started with the goal to provide all students access to music with a ‘Scholarship Immersion Program’, which utilises school resources to waive the financial pressures for students to commit to musical learning.

A simultaneous redesign of classroom music courses provided a safe space for students to shape their identity and nurture resilience while building emotional maturity and self-expression.

One of Hayley’s proudest achievements has been re-designing student learning based on student input which has seen the program flourish over the past four years, jumping from just six per cent of students participating in the music program in 2021 to 43 per cent of students in 2024.

Click here to vote for Hayley.

Nathaniel Miller

Bulman School, NT

Growing up on country, Nathaniel taught himself to play guitar by ear and knows first-hand the transformative power music has on children, families and communities.

What began as a bit of musical fun for school children two years ago, Nathaniel’s music program has now evolved into a life-changing program teaching students to play different instruments alongside song writing, singing and performance in English, Dalabon and Rembarrnga language, guided by local elders.

In a community that struggles with high teacher turnover, low student attendance and lack of resources, Nathaniel has created a safe and inclusive space where children feel comfortable enough to express themselves, reconnect with their culture, and find pride in their heritage.

“It’s about more than just playing instruments,” he says. “It’s about keeping our culture alive, and it’s about building confidence in our young people.”

Click here to vote for Nathaniel.

Susan Sukkar

Petersham Public School, NSW

For more than 20 years, Susan Sukkar has been a cornerstone of music education at Petersham Public School and beyond. As the driving force behind the Festival of Instrumental Music, held annually at the Sydney Opera House, Susan has given thousands of students the opportunity to perform in one of the world’s most iconic venues. Her dedication to the craft of teaching music has inspired generations of children to embrace the joy of performance.

Susan’s approach is rooted in inclusivity. She works with every child from kindergarten to Year 6, crafting programs that not only teach musical skills but also build self-confidence, teamwork, and emotional resilience.

“Music isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are,” Susan says. “For many of my students, stepping onto that stage is a life-changing moment.

“It’s about proving to themselves that they are capable of greatness.”

Click here to vote for Susan.

Casey Allen

PLC Sydney, NSW

Casey has been a classroom music teacher at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Sydney for two decades. In 2017, her role expanded to include a Head of Faculty (Classroom) position which included a co-ordinating role for choirs at the school.

In a fast-paced, highly academic and progressive school, her vision has always been to ensure the school delivers an inclusive program that caters for musicians of varying abilities, interests and experiences.

“Music connects us in ways that words cannot,” Casey says.

“It brings joy, fosters creativity, and gives our students the courage to express themselves fully. Seeing students discover a lifelong love for music is one of the greatest rewards of teaching.”

Click here to vote for Casey.

Principal Penny Tranter says music is one of life’s great joiners, and for partaking students it helps to build their community, confidence and capabilities.

“If I think about what is the importance of music, it’s Shakespeare’s line from Twelfth Night, ‘If music be the food of love, play on’.

“I think it resonates around it being in the heart and soul of all of us, but sometimes we need our music programs in schools to unlock the heart and the love, because not everybody has exposure to it at home, not everybody has the privilege of experiencing it live, and it feeds your soul,” the Seaview High School leader says.

“And it’s something that you can do alone, but by golly, it adds so much value when you’re doing it as part of a community or working towards the same outcomes.”

CEO of The Song Room, Alice Gerlach, says working in communities across the country, she and her team witness daily just how vital music education is in giving young people a chance to experience success and to find a sense of belonging.

“This year’s ARIA Music Teacher nominees exemplify the wonderful traits of innovation, inclusion and excellence that all great educators strive towards. Congratulations to them all,” she says.

Vote for your favourite nominee to win the ARIA Music Teacher Award here.