Nicole Canham
Faculty of Arts
Pushing musicians out of their comfort zone helps to discover new strengths
Nicole says musicians can bring light and hope into all different kinds of situations if they are attuned to the different people they come into contact with.
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
I think that teaching people isn't just about providing information, or the 'right' way to go about doing something. The world is a very dynamic environment, lots of things are changing all the time. That fluidity can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for young musicians who are essentially trying to work out how to grasp hold of a moving target. What I do is bring my experience as an industry professional, and my research and career counselling training together to give students the tools to develop their self and sector-awareness, discover who they are, and decide how they want to act.
How do you help students build confidence, not just knowledge?
We do a lot of group work, and a lot of scenario-based learning which gives students the opportunity to be in, or imagine, many of the situations musicians might find themselves in. This includes working with various types of problems, considering how they could be solved, and presenting solutions. Another way I help students build confidence is through activities that enhance their trust in each other. We might perform music that takes students out of their comfort zone, or bring in a guest that works in a very different way. These contrasting experiences help students discover new strengths and work out how they can handle new challenges.
What mindset do you want your students to carry into their careers?
The mindset I'm hoping students will carry into their careers is one of professionalism and a strong idea of what it means to them, but also what we want and need musicians to be and do in society. We are living at a time where there is a lot going on, and the challenges are very real. I think musicians, and artists in general, can bring light and hope into all different kinds of situations if they are attuned to the different people they come into contact with.
The mindset I'm hoping students will carry into their careers is one of professionalism and a strong idea of what it means to them, but also what we want and need musicians to be and do in society. ”
What legacy or ripple effect do you hope to leave behind?
I came to higher education because I love performing and teaching and research. But I also remember both the isolation I experienced as an early career musician, and deep gratitude for those people who I met along the way who gave me a hand or a helpful tip or suggestion along the way. The ripple effect I'm looking for is a more self-aware, higher impact, and kinder way of being and becoming a musician where there is less focus on competition and greater understanding and skill in collaborating. I want to support the next generation of artists to develop the skills and vision that will be necessary to take our field forward into the future.
What motivates you to continue pushing boundaries in your work?
Music is a field that is old and has many traditions, but it is also a field that is right in the thick of many huge technological shifts and changes. I'm motivated to continue pushing forward to see what music and musicians can be and do in a changing context.
How do you tailor your teaching approach to engage and inspire today's students?
I like working with different platforms and experimenting. If I give students an assessment task, I like to challenge myself to create some content that is shaped in a way that models skills that students will be developing. I've tried carpool karaoke and Taylor Swift style 'easter egg' videos - it is important to show students as I am teaching that I am inspired and engaged, too.