SYO Seminars -Early Learners to Emerging Artists: Effective K–12 Approaches in an Educational Context with Martyn Hentschel

The first fo two essential seminars for string and orchestral educators 

Join us for two inspiring professional development sessions designed specifically for music educators and conductors working with school-aged ensembles. Whether you’re looking to refine your pedagogical approach across age groups or deepen your engagement with Australian repertoire, these practical, hands-on workshops offer valuable insights and strategies you can implement immediately in your own teaching context. 

WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY | 3:30–5:30pm

Early Learners to Emerging Artists: Effective K–12 Approaches in an Educational Context with Martyn Hentschel

How do we adapt our teaching strategies to meet students where they arerom beginner string players to advanced young musicians?

In this practical workshop, Martyn will guide participants through the developmental landscape of K-12 music education, sharing specific strategies and tools that have proven effective across different age groups and skill levels. 

This session will explore: 

• Understanding and working within your unique educational context 

• Ages and stages of learning K-12: what works when, and why 

• Practical strategies and tools for each level, drawn from Martyn’s work at Cranbrook School with discussion of wider applicability 

• Hands-on demonstration and discussion 

Participants are encouraged to bring their instrument to fully participate in the practical elements of this workshop. 

*If booking both sessions in this series, please see Sounds of Home: Programming and Conducting Australian Music for Your Ensemble booking page and choose the. both session ticket for each event.

MEET YOUR PRESENTER

Martyn Hentschel 

Martyn Hentschel is Head of Strings at Cranbrook School, a position he has held since 2017, where he has built a comprehensive string program across all year levels. With a deep commitment to transforming students’ lives through high-quality music education, Martyn brings both pedagogical expertise and professional performance experience to his teaching. Prior to his role at Cranbrook, he served as Acting Head of Strings at Sydney Grammar School and worked as a professional violinist with Opera Australia for nearly nine years. 

Currently serving as an NSW Committee Member of AUSTA (The Australian Strings Association), Martyn is actively engaged in the broader music education community. He holds a Master of Secondary Teaching from the University of New England, where he was recognised as Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar in 2023, as well as a Master of Music and Graduate Diploma (Performance) from the Australian Institute of Music. Martyn’s teaching philosophy centres on crafting carefully sequenced developmental pathways for students while fostering rigour, focus, and disciplined music-making through ensemble playing. His approach emphasises music’s power to promote both cultural cohesion and essential 21st-century individual skills.