Essential Tools for 2021 

Sunday March 14th, 1.30 – 4.45pm 

Rangi Ruru Girls School, Performing arts block, (directly behind the Merivale  Lane Theatre) 

1.30- 2.15 Mental Health – Ann Higgs 

2.15- 3.15 Online exams: Technical help with online examinations, Paul Zdrenka  Q and A session with Lois Dalton from ABRSM 

3.15 – 3.45 Afternoon tea 

3.45 – 4.45 Special learning needs, Glenys Knopp 

$25 IRMT members 

$35 Non IRMT members 

Numbers for this event will be limited so please book your place using the Google form: Essential tools for 2021 form 

Session 1: Mental Health 

As music teachers working closely with young people, we often encounter students who are  struggling with mental health issues. Ann Higgs will discuss some of the warning signs to look out  for and some tools for interacting with students struggling with mental health issues.  

Session 2: Online Exams 

The session will begin with a presentation looking at the technical challenges of producing  recordings for online exams. 

Paul Zdrenka will provide practical tips for teachers faced with the task of providing video  recordings for online exams using their phone, tablet or computer. 

In the second part of this session ABRSM rep Lois Dalton will address some of the questions  teachers may have about the online exam process. If you have any specific questions you would  like answered, please email Lois at loisdorothydalton@gmail.com prior to the event.  

Unfortunately Trinity College rep Sandra Scannell is unable to be in attendance but would like to  direct teachers to the excellent information on online exams on the Trinity College website, which  can be accessed via the following link: https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/digital music-grades/classical-jazz-digital-grades 

Session 3: Special Learning Needs 

Music teachers encounter a wide range of learning styles and specific learning needs within their teaching practice. Glenys Knopp will provide us with some strategies to assist students with special  learning needs.  

Should you have any specific questions you would like Glenys to address, please email them to  her directly prior to event at glenys@clarity.net.nz

Ann Higgs 

Ann is a qualified and experienced family counsellor with expertise in the  area of couples, children, families and individuals. She has honours degree  in Psychology, and over 20 years experience working in the field of family  

counselling. 

Paul Zdrenka 

In 2012, Paul pursued his passion for music in direction of audio and sound technology, completing a Diploma in Audio Engineering & Music Production at MAINZ (Tai Poutini Polytechnic). Paul has worked as a freelance audio engineer, secondary school teacher and guitar teacher in Christchurch. As an audio engineer he has worked for Tandem Studios and Plains FM 96.9 in Christchurch. 

His projects have included voiceovers, audio post-production, music recordings, ADR, location sound and sound design. 

Together with Alan Dixon, he’s also hosted the successful radio show Classic Guitar on Plains FM,  featuring all things classical guitar and highlighting New Zealand guitarists and composers. 

One of his music production highlights was producing and engineering ‘NZ Wonderland’ (Winter  Wonderland), which featured the C-City Brothers, the Otautahi Jazz band and the Christchurch  Boys’ Choir. This track was released on the 2013 Starship Christmas Album.  

He has been the technical co-ordinator and audio engineer for recording the live concerts at the  TCGSS since its inception in 2012. 

In 2004, Paul completed his Bachelor Music in Classical Guitar Performance at Massey University  (now NZSM) in Wellington under guidance of Matthew Marshall and Gunter Herbig. He also had  masterclasses from guitarists such as Anthony Field, David Lisner, John Couch, Dr. Jane Curry,  Lily Afshar, Jason Vieaux and Cheryl Grice-Watterson. During his studies, Paul also toured the  North Island with the Massey University Guitar Orchestra ‘Live Wires’. In 2004, he won the  1st Prize at the Christchurch Guitar Society Competition. He is a member of the Christchurch  Guitar Society and is an active guitar teacher in Canterbury. 

Glenys Knopp 

My background is in teaching – in both primary and secondary schools – and I  have a diploma in Special Teaching Needs. For the past fourteen years I have  been working privately focusing on people with dyslexia and related learning  issues. For the past nine of those years I have also been assessing people with  learning difficulties. 

I find my work fascinating and particularly enjoy exploring ways to make learning more accessible  to people who think differently. I encourage people to work with their strengths, rather than  focusing on their difficulties.