WAO SINGS
The images of children used in this image were generated using artificial intelligence.
WAO SINGS
Supported by the Feilman Foundation.
West Australian Opera is proud to introduce WAO SINGS, a three-year pilot choral education program running from 2025 to 2027, directly supported by the Feilman Foundation and the City of Swan. 2025 will see West Australian Opera deliver comprehensive music education through choral singing to Grade 5 and 6 students at four schools in the Ellenbrook area.
As of July 2024, West Australian Opera appointed Dr Emma Jayakumar as Choral Director of the program. Dr Jayakumar will visit all Grade 5 and 6 classes at the four pilot schools on a weekly basis throughout the year, leading to a mass performance for friends and family at the end of the school year. Participating students will learn an array of pieces across a range of genres, including pieces in operatic languages such as Italian, French, German, and Noongar.
A particular focus of this program will be the integration of The Kids Research Institute of Australia’s (formerly the Telethon Kids Institute) Social and Emotional Wellbeing in the Arts (SEW ARTS) research and framework, including supporting pedagogies centered on student wellbeing and the fostering of positive learning environments, and highlighting their alignment with our core objectives.
DR EMMA JAYAKUMAR
Dr Emma Jayakumar is a performing arts professional with 25 years of industry experience in a variety of roles including opera and classical performance, teaching, composition, practice-led ethnographic research with children and families. She has worked extensively with children in research projects, as performers and students, and in specialised compositional and writing approaches to children’s repertoire. Most recently this has included a family audience commission with WA Opera, Our Little Inventor, along with several other children’s works for AWESOME Arts, WA Ballet and Music Book Stories.
The three-year pilot program WAO SINGS is supported by the Feilman Foundation and City of Swan.
To enquire about WAO SINGS and other community outreach programs offered by West Australian Opera, contact Olivia Ferguson, Education Manager at [email protected] or 08 9278 8913
Watch the videos: Reflections on WAO SINGS
Launched in February 2025, WAO SINGS is now in full swing. Let’s hear reflections from teachers and students on the impact so far.
PART 1 - Alison Roberson, Music Specialist at Malvern Springs Primary School
How are your students responding to WAO SINGS?
PART 2 – Students at Aveley Primary School
What has been your favourite part of these classes so far?
PART 3 – Students at Malvern Springs Primary School, Aveley Primary School, Bullsbrook College
What’s your favourite part of music?
PART 4 – Students at Malvern Springs Primary School
What have you learned in these lessons so far?
PART 5 – Chris Spencer, Music Specialist at Aveley Primary School
Why do you think WAO SINGS is important to the City of Swan community?
PART 6 – Students at Malvern Springs Primary School
What’s your favourite part of music?
PART 7 – Students and teachers at Malvern Springs Primary School, Aveley Primary School, Bullsbrook College