Mel Wishart

Recorder | Clarinet | Saxophone | ChiME | Ensembles

What do you teach at the Con?

JaM 1 + 2, recorders, clarinets and saxophones.

What genres do you teach?

Classical to whimsical!

What is it that you love about teaching music – particularly at Wollongong Conservatorium?

My job brings me great joy and, as the years go by, a deeper appreciation of the need to bring music education to everyone.

Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.

Last night! A 10 yr enthusiastic clarinet student of mine came to a concert I was performing at, thanks to her wonderful parents, and I think it consolidated a lot of what learning an instrument is all about. It put a lot of pieces together and gave a bit of glamour and razzle dazzle about what all those lessons can lead to. She came on stage at the end to say goodbye to me and got a feel for what its like to be a musician and now she wants to join my band!

What’s one piece of music that you’d recommend people listen to?

Local performers and friends of mine. This song is where I live and it is such a sweet and cleverly written song about ‘Austinmer’ by The Glamma Rays.