Location: Manawa Level 4
Western music notation reading can be a difficult task for some musicians, especially for students with dyslexia who struggle with general reading (Jaarsma et al., 1998). The teaching methodology for reading music notation has been an underdeveloped area of music education, and as such it follows that, reading music notation skills for students with dyslexia need to be further investigated (Gudmundsdottir, 2010). Therefore, this research aims to develop and deliver a series of multisensory music teaching methods with a guided discovery system to a group of secondary school students with dyslexia in Aotearoa New Zealand and measure the effects on their music reading skills and music attainment.
Primarily, this intervention study incorporates a quantitative methodology, although more qualitative interviews will be undertaken with students who have previously experienced the intervention methods. The participants will be chosen based on their previous experience in music and interest in music, and only those students with a recognised assessment of dyslexia will be included. The participants will be given the music assessment measure at the beginning and the conclusion of the intervention study. After the intervention study, all participants will be interviewed to determine their views about music and their experiences of the intervention methods. The quantitative and qualitative data will then be analysed to determine the impact of the intervention and propose further improvement.
Research Interests
Nanako Sato is a Program Leader of the School of Music at Hagley College, and the chairperson of CWSMTA (Canterbury Westland Secondary Music Teachers’ Association). Nanako has taught Mairehau High School, Rangi Ruru Girls' School and currently teaching at Hagley College for both day time and an evening class, Hagley Ja Course. Nanako has an M.Mus from UC specialised in Composition and is also an active member of a ja music scene based in Christchurch. She performs with the Garden City Big Band and All Girl Big Band at various conferences, private events as well as Ja and Arts Festivals in NZ.
Working thesis title
Improving musical attainment for secondary school students with dyslexia in Aotearoa New Zealand.
