Professional musician Dr Marianne Edwards (née Broadfoot) (OM 1998) compares the sound of her beloved violin to the human voice.
“I think maybe that’s something that drew me to it,” she says.
“The vibrato and other sounds you learn to develop make it quite a singing kind of instrument.”
Over the course of her career, the former Grimwade House student has performed on some of the world’s best stages, including Royal Albert Hall, the Elb Philharmonie in Hamburg, the Guangzhou Opera House and, more locally, the Sydney Opera House, where for 15 years she was a member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
But her path to music began with an instrument she didn’t truly connect with.
“Mum wanted me to learn piano, but I really struggled to enjoy my lessons,” Marianne explains.
“I vividly remember a Year 4 student coming into our music classroom one day, and playing the violin for us. I went home and said: ‘Mum, I want to learn the violin.’ And that was it.”
A foundation of fun and positivity
Marianne soon joined the Grimwade House string orchestra, as well as the School choir.
“I have a lot of funny, silly memories from that time, like having pretend sword fights with our violin bows,” she says.
“Our music classes gave us such a supportive environment, and there were so many opportunities to perform. I feel like I had a very privileged start to my journey in music.”
As her violin skills developed, Marianne says she was encouraged through teaching methods that emphasised positivity and progress.
“What we understand now about teaching is that giving students encouragement creates a positive feedback loop,” she says.
“In the past, music teachers have sometimes taken the opposite approach, and I think I was really lucky that my teachers had a positive mindset as well as incredible technical skill.”
From the classroom to the Opera House
It wasn’t until her high school years that the idea of a career in music came into focus. After studying at the University of Melbourne, she went on to the Australian National University’s School of Music, followed by the University of Sydney, where she had the opportunity to work with internationally-recognised instructors.
“I was still at university when I was accepted into the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s emerging artist program,” Marianne explains.
“I auditioned for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and that became my full-time job.
“It was the most amazing job – and so cool to call the Opera House our office!”
While living in Sydney, Marianne formed a string quartet with three other musicians and friends, who worked their way up from busking at Wynyard Station to performing at classical music festivals.
“That experience taught me how to listen, and how to respond and react in the moment,” Marianne says.
“We sometimes think music is just about the parts we play, but it’s just as much about listening to others, and adjusting.”
Empowering the next generation of musicians
Now a busy music teacher with a schedule that includes beginners and school-aged musicians, Marianne is also engaged in advocacy work to improve safeguarding measures, particularly for young adults and children, within classical music.
“I’m still at the beginning of my advocacy journey, but I’m passionate about pushing for improvements in our industry, which has lagged behind other industries for some time,” Marianne says.
“Alongside that work, I’m really happy to have come back to teaching, because I’ve been so fortunate to receive so much incredible tuition myself. Music is such an important way for us to express our creativity, connect with others, and regulate our emotions through self-expression. I think it’s very worthwhile, meaningful work, and it feels like I’ve come full circle.
“I hope I can continue to model the positive reinforcement I had from my own teachers, and to engage my students with fun and
play,” Marianne adds.
“I love seeing them mastering the next small skill, and the amazement on their faces when they can suddenly do something new.”
