STAFF SPOTLIGHT DONNA DEROOST Primary School Music Teacher WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT GMAS? I teach Early Childhood and Junior School classroom music. I also undertake the band program and tutor double bass and saxophone students. This year I directed 3 music ensembles - Senior Jazz Band, Middle School Jazz Band and Junior Band. I play the flute, double bass, piano, cello, guitar, saxophone.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER I grew up in London - with all the sights and sounds. Having London as my childhood ‘playground’ was wonderful! I loved visiting the museums, going to concerts, and having Big Ben, the West End and Camden Town just 20 minutes away. As a child at a Roman Catholic primary school, we were all taught recorder as part of the music curriculum, and at the age of 7 I started learning the Double Bass as part of the Strings Program. I knew from my first lesson that I wanted to grow up and be involved in music in some way. At secondary school, I took up a number of other instruments including flute, saxophone and piano. It was in Year 9 that I decided I didn’t want to ever stop playing music, and that I would become a music teacher. Fast forward a few years, and I studied my Bachelor of Music at the University of Surrey, Roehampton. I was involved in many ensembles and choirs, and returned for a fourth year to complete my teacher training.
CLASS OF 2011 10 YEAR REUNION It was a fantastic evening spent at the Shelter on the Busselton foreshore as we reunited with past students. Their was plently of laughter as over 40, 2011 students caught up with one another (some had not seen each other since they left 10 Years ago) and their favourite teachers. ....and yes they are still as cheeky as ever!
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