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2.6.2 Developing musical talent into elite performance: A historical and educational perspective

This presentation will explore the topic of talent development and elite performance within the context of music education. It will examine key literature related to the areas of musical giftedness and talent development, identification, and the role of educational institutions and educators in the identification and cultivation of students who show potential for musical talent. This presentation will then discuss limitations in the literature, with particular reference to the Australian context, and outline ways in which musical talent development can be further studied in an effort to improve the educational equity of all musically gifted and talented students.

Author(s):

Rachel White
louisfemme@gmail.com
St Vincent's Primary School
Australia

Rachel White is a Music and Drama teacher from Sydney, Australia. She has a Master of Music (Music Education) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she completed a thesis examining how teachers in New South Wales taught music listening to secondary students in Year 11 and 12. She is a casual academic and tertiary mentor with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and plays with several musical and theatrical ensembles around Sydney. Rachel is particularly interested in musical pedagogy, educational theory, and educational practices in talent development.