STAFF SPOTLIGHT Class of 2011 REUNION

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!

In 2003 I started teaching at a government school in London. This was a school with many challenges, but I also learned to be assertive! My second appointment was as Director of Music at a private school in London, which was round the corner from Abbey Road Studios, and the school boys trained at Lord’s Cricket Ground just down the road.

In 2007 I moved to Busselton, and commenced my new role as Performing Arts Coordinator. Ever since then, I’ve been at GMAS in various roles - both in classroom and instrumental tutoring.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES WORKING AT GMAS? My fondest memories are always the school shows. They have been ever since I was a school student myself, and always will be. Putting on the shows are the highlight of my year - I get to be a musician/conductor and immerse myself in the music and drama, whilst working with a dedicated team of students, all of whom hold the performing arts close to their hearts.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS? A few years ago I got to play the Double Bass for the South West Opera Company (SWOC) performance of The Phantom of The Opera. This is a show I would have loved to play in professionally had I gone down the route of staying in London and being a musician in the West End. I got to live my dream! Another achievement, is commencing Kodaly training this year. All of my teaching is Kodaly-inspired and I look forward to completing Certificates 2 and 3 in the next few years.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

• I worked at one of the blood centres in London during my gap year.

• I have met the Queen twice and the Queen Mother once, whilst staying at one of the Royal residences.

• I regularly play the Double Bass at BREC for SWOC performances - most recently Les Miserables this year.

• I play the flute professionally for weddings and corporate events.