Dr Janet Wyvill

Performing Arts Teacher of the Year 2020 Janet Wyvill

From more than 200 nominations nationally, Canterbury’s Director of Arts Academy, Dr Janet Wyvill, was recently named Performing Arts Teacher of the Year by The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association (APATA).

The award “celebrates the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing teachers and educators”, judged upon such merits as quality, innovation, commitment, leadership and engagement.

Janet is kept busy with her teaching and Arts Academy roles. She teaches drama, music, visual art and musical theatre as well as conducting or managing many co-curricular groups such as Boys Vocal Group, Drama Ensemble, Canterbury Festival Choir, Theatre Company, Percussion Ensemble and the Hip Hop Dance Team.

As Director of the Arts Academy, she oversees 43 performing arts ensembles, staff across Music, Drama and Dance and the burgeoning Studio Tuition program, with 14 specialist teachers and more than 400 lessons each week in orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, drama, acting, dance and public speaking.

Janet and the Arts Academy also had a very fruitful 2019. A very successful Arts Food and Wine Festival that will now feature each year in the College calendar, commencement of chamber music and rock school programs, great results at Wakikirri, the popular Winter Arts Festival and Gala Showcase events and continued outstanding support by Canterbury families of the Music and Dance Parent supporter groups.

Janet says she is honoured to receive this award and very proud to be a performing arts teacher at Canterbury.