Today’s podcast episode focuses on Serena Mak’s TEDx Talk, “Exposing Music Exams and the Distinction Delusion.” Serena is a passionate piano teacher for 18 years, managing her own private studio and volunteering regularly at her local church as a pianist and vocalist. She shares with us the catalyst that changed her mindset about piano exams and how this affected and changed her teaching in her studio. In 2022, she took to the TEDx stage and unravelled the problem of traditional, assessment-focused learning. And finally, Serena shared the story on how she came to do a TEDx talk gig.

• Serena shared a brief overview of her background and her studio.
• The catalyst that changed her mindset about piano exams.
• Is the rushed and linear approach of the “exam express” a limiting factor to creative teaching?
• Serena explains the quote that she got from an ABRSM examiner on why exams is like taking a body temperature test.
• An overview of Serena’s Ted Talk called “Exposing Music Exams and the Distinction Delusion.”
• What’s the best way of recording musical progress technology-wise?
• The effects and the changes on her teaching when she changed her mindset about piano exams.
• Serena shared the story on how she came to do a TEDx gig.

Links Mentioned

• Serena Mak Website
• Serena Mak Instagram Page
• Serena Mak Facebook Page
• Download your IMT Info Sheet

Today’s Guest

Serena Mak has been sharing her love for life and music with her piano students for over 18 years. Aside from managing her own private studio, she volunteers regularly at her local church as a pianist and vocalist. She has also trained other teachers in piano schools all over Brisbane, Australia. Serena pushed through exam after exam while growing up and attained her diploma in piano performance at the tender age of 13. In 2022, she took to the TEDx stage and unravelled the problem of traditional, assessment-focused learning. She is passionate about sharing ideas on how we can nurture the next generation of musicians amid the changing scape of music education.

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