Research Shorts: Advancing Excellence in Teaching

This week I’m talking to Dr Lilian Simones about her work in developing a new model called Echoes for Excellence, an approach to reflective practice to support vocal and instrumental music teachers.

Her research, tailored to the needs of vocal and instrumental music teachers, is ‘designed to enhance professional competencies, support inclusive and collaborative pedagogy, and promote teaching quality across diverse teaching and learning traditions.’ Let’s dive in!

I asked Lilian what she had discovered through her research into vocal and instrumental teachers, she explained ‘I found that one of the most pressing issues facing [them] is the absence of a cohesive professional identity.’ This has led to teachers feeling isolated, so Lilian has proposed a method to help support teachers by ‘by helping to unify the profession—encouraging teachers to engage critically with shared professional values and the competencies required to thrive in today’s world.’

Through her research process, she developed the ‘Echoes for Excellence’ model to provide clear steps forward, drawing on her ‘extensive experience in teaching, music education research, and mentoring of vocal and instrumental music teachers.’

I asked Lilian to tell us more about what the model does and what the next steps for her research are. She explained:

Aimed at supporting reflective practice, the model seeks to address gaps in professional identity and will be piloted in the next stage with teachers to explore its potential as a unifying, adaptable framework for vocal and instrumental music education.

Lilian also pointed to the potential for her framework to support ‘teacher training and professional development, supporting improved teaching quality and fostering a culture of excellence through meaningful training, evaluation and career development across diverse education contexts.’

Lilian is herself a ‘music educator, pianist, piano teacher, and researcher specialising in vocal and instrumental pedagogy.’ She explained ‘I also mentor vocal and instrumental music teachers. As Director of Enact Music’s Certificate for Music Educators course, I authored the only learner guidebook currently available for this qualification.’

Learn more:

• Read the chapter in full here (free access)
• Learn more about Dr Simones at her Open University Profile or at Enact Music

Written by Sarah K. Whitfield – Research Manager for Music Mark