During the summer break, IGS Primary Japanese Teacher Noriko Yamanaka took to the stage as a member of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, performing at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden as part of the Sydney Festival. This marked her third appearance at the festival, and she described the experience as deeply moving.
“It was a touching experience singing in front of Australian artist Brett Whiteley’s house at Wendy’s Secret Garden. His wife, Wendy, was there, and she waved to us from her balcony. It was so special,” Noriko shared. The choir performed Set Me as a Seal by René Clausen, Lay a Garland by R. L. Pearsall, and Middle of the Air by Paul Kelly, arranged by Naomi Crellin.
You can watch some of her performances on the links below:
Middle of the Air
Set Me as A Seal
In addition to her musical achievements, Noriko also attended and presented at the 22nd National Conference of the Australian National Council of Orff-Schulwerk (ANCOS) in Perth at the beginning of January. This was her third time presenting to music educators. “It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and spend four days making music and dancing with international presenters,” she said.
At IGS, we take great pride in our teachers’ dedication to lifelong learning and creative expression. We encourage our educators to embrace their passions, share their talents, and continue growing both professionally and personally. Noriko’s achievements exemplify the vibrant and diverse expertise within our Community, inspiring both students and colleagues alike. We celebrate her success and look forward to seeing more IGS teachers thrive as their most authentic and accomplished selves. Be yourself at IGS!