20 Jun 2023
There’s no such thing as a wrong note, just a right note in the wrong place, according to Naida Blackley.
Naida’s philosophy speaks volumes about the success of nurturing musical talent across the ACT public school system. As principal of the Instrumental Music Program, known fondly as IMP, she has heard a note or two.
As the program celebrates its 50th year, Naida reflects on her own journey and how music played a key role both as a public school student and teacher.
Having moved to Canberra in 1978, Naida enrolled as a student at Belconnen High School. It was there that she discovered the IMP and found her love for performing and creating music.
Coming from a family of teachers, Naida had plans to become a maths teacher but quickly became inspired to fuse her passion for teaching with her love for music.
Since then, Naida has dedicated her life to sharing the joy of music with students, giving them the opportunity to learn and play with a range of instruments.
Naida refined her craft at the ANU School of Music while developing her teaching skills at the Canberra College of Advanced Education (CCAE), now known as the University of Canberra.
After graduating, Naida spent many years teaching secondary schools. However, she would eventually return to the program where she discovered her passion for music, this time as a teacher.
For many young people, the program is a first introduction to instruments and creating music. Naida identified teamwork and communication as a few of the skills that students learn from picking up an instrument as part of a band.
“Music is so broad that it can be used as a platform for students to pursue their own interests and learning goals,” she said.
As both a teacher and principal of the IMP, Naida has seen the program evolve drastically. IMP now has exchange programs, working with national and international connections to give students broader experiences.
Naida has stayed in touch with many former students and staff that have gone on to achieve wonderful things in the music space.
These include Donna Parkes who played professionally in the USA Symphony Orchestra as well as Reuben Styles, half of the electronic music duo Peking Duk.
Many of these students often identify Naida and the IMP as being incredibly influential in their journey to success in the music industry.
Despite the program’s success, Naida’s vision for the program is for it to continue to become integral in schools’ cultures. She also sees the program adding more learning opportunities while continuing to help educators discover the learning possibilities involved in music.
The ACT Education Directorate congratulates Naida and all the teachers over the years who have been involved in delivering IMP and for reaching its incredible 50-year milestone.
