Helen Tuckey
Helen Tuckey
Engaging creativity with technical work
We all know the phrase ‘technical work’ can make even the most committed students groan. But what if we, as educators, can reframe technical work as a series of achievable milestones they can work towards in creative (and fun) ways to level up their playing? Join AMEB Viola Principal Consultant Helen Tuckey as she shares how she encourages her students to engage with technical work with creativity and confidence.
Using the AMEB Viola Series 2 Technical work book as a starting point, Helen demonstrates how making games, creating variations, and adding improvisatory exercises can help your students find joy in technical work. With Helen, you’ll learn how to promote engagement, creativity and confidence in technical work right from the start.
About Helen Tuckey
Helen Tuckey is a violist in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Melbourne, her formative teachers included Andre Hadges and Paul O’Brien. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts while working in the Melbourne Symphony, followed by several years of study in New York at Manhattan School of Music with Lillian Fuchs. In addition to a musical career which includes orchestral and chamber performances, teaching has always played a significant role in Helen’s professional life. Some of her past students are now performers and teachers. She has been involved with professional musical associations, serving on committees in various roles, including a period as National President for the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), and she has received a service award from the Australian and New Zealand Viola Society. She is currently President of the WA branch of Musicians Australia. Her work there includes building professional recognition for the role of instrumental teachers. In developing her own musical life, she acknowledges gratefully the encouragement and support from her family, and her children and grandchildren also teach, sing and play music. An experienced adjudicator, AMEB viola syllabus writer and AMEB examiner, Helen has a life-long fascination for everything viola.