Music Programs

At Kegworth Public School, we believe music enriches every child's school experience. Our music program gives students the opportunity to learn an instrument, develop their skills, and perform as part of a supportive and enthusiastic community.

All K – 6 Kegworth students are taught the NSW Music Curriculum, which is delivered by a specialist music teacher. Co-curricular Music Ensembles at Kegworth Public School provide a chance for interested students to broaden their knowledge and practice of music.

Join the Kegworth Music Program

It improves their language and ability to read, helps with math skills, improves memory and attention, increases coordination, teaches discipline, improves social and emotional skills and inspires creativity.

Many students are involved in our Concert Band, String, Ukulele, Recorder and Choir ensembles. Rehearsals may take place before school, after school, or during lunchtimes and are conducted by highly experienced performing arts professionals.

Music Ensembles at Kegworth

OUR ENSEMBLE CONDUCTORS

Caroline Kelly - Strings Conductor

Caroline Kelly brings a wealth of experience, passion, and warmth to our strings program at Kegworth Public School. As the conductor of both our Junior and Senior Strings ensembles, she is a wonderful inspiration to our young musicians — and we're truly lucky to have her.

A fellow Kegworth mum, Caroline has grown our strings into the wonderful program it is today. She hosts our coffee concerts each term, and her passion for music shines through in her commitment to the ensembles she conducts and the students she teaches.

Caroline is a violinist and violin teacher with a career that spans orchestral performance, chamber music, and teaching. Originally from the UK and Ireland, she has performed with some of the world's finest ensembles, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, and the Birmingham Opera Company, among others. She has also been a valued member of several chamber groups, including the Shallid String Trio and the Southdene String Quartet.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied performance violin under the renowned Yossi Zivoni.

Since making Sydney her home in 2013, Caroline has continued to perform regularly, including with The Metropolitan Orchestra, while dedicating much of her time to teaching the next generation of string players. Alongside her role at Kegworth, she teaches violin at PLC Croydon, and MLC Burwood.

Caroline's own love of the violin began at age 7, and that lifelong joy for the instrument shines through in everything she does. Your kids are in wonderful hands.

Mackenzie Cullen — Band Conductor

Mackenzie Cullen brings fresh energy, international experience, and a genuine passion for teaching to the band program at Kegworth Public School. As an Inner West musician herself, she loves nothing more than sharing that passion with young players just starting out on their musical journey.

Mackenzie's own music education began at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, before going on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she is currently completing a Bachelor of Performance, majoring in classical saxophone under Dr Michael Duke.

In 2024, Mackenzie toured Europe with the SCM Saxophone Orchestra and Chamber Choir, performing at prestigious venues across Austria, Slovenia and Italy. She has also toured internationally, performing alongside the US Air Force Jazz Band in Hawaii.

Alongside her performance studies, Mackenzie has undertaken further studies in music education at the Conservatorium, giving her broad exposure to different teaching styles and classroom settings — experience she brings into every rehearsal.

Mackenzie also performs regularly with several of her own ensembles across Sydney, including the Pentameter Quintet, Solstice Quartet, and the Mackenzie Cullen Jazz Quartet — each showcasing a different side of her musicianship, from classical to jazz.

Alongside Kegworth, Mackenzie tutors and conducts at schools across Sydney, including Willoughby, Drummoyne, Woollahra and Summer Hill Public Schools, as well as Inner Sydney High School and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts.

Mackenzie's warmth, versatility and genuine love of music make her a wonderful mentor for our young band musicians. It's a joy to watch her work with them week after week,

Exciting Musical Events

Festival of Instrumental Music

The Festival of Instrumental Music is an annual event organised by the NSW Department of Education. It showcases student ensembles from schools across the state, celebrating their musical achievements and providing performance opportunities in a professional venue. The festival encourages musical development, collaboration, and community participation among students.

NSW Junior State Music Camp

The NSW State Junior Music Camp is a program organised by the NSW Department of Education that provides young musicians with an immersive experience to develop their skills. It offers workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and performance opportunities, fostering musical growth, teamwork, and a passion for music among students.

Festival of Choral Music

The Festival of Choral Music is an annual event organised by the NSW Department of Education that celebrates the talents of school choirs across the state. It provides students with opportunities to perform in a professional setting, develop choral skills, and experience the joy of singing together. The festival promotes musical excellence, collaboration, and community engagement.

Cantabile Music Festival

Cantabile is a music festival organised by the NSW Department of Education, featuring performances by student ensembles and choirs. It provides students with opportunities to showcase their musical skills, participate in workshops, and collaborate with peers in a professional setting. The festival promotes musical development, creativity, and teamwork.

Pulse Alive

Pulse Alive is an annual event organised by the NSW Department of Education, designed to celebrate and showcase the talents of students across the state. The event features large-scale performances in music, dance, and drama, bringing together students from a variety of schools to create collaborative, vibrant productions. It provides opportunities for students to develop their creative skills, perform in professional venues, and connect with peers through the performing arts. Pulse Alive highlights the department’s commitment to valuing student achievement in the arts and fostering a sense of community and pride among participants.

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