Meet Asta
Thanks for considering coming to play! Asta#Plays is a result of experience, homecoming, and opportunity. I've recently returned to British shores after teaching music, and training teachers in British international schools in Russia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. During the 20 years over which my career spans, I have been lucky enough to pursue my passions and hone areas of personal interest in exciting locations, and with the most eclectic groups of colleagues and learners.
Creativity is at the forefront of everything I do. Using the holistic Dalcroze method as the foundation of my pedagogical principles, means that my approach to problem solving and learning has always been rooted in experience and exploration. Being around children has reiterated the vital role that play has to "play" in learning, and overcoming challenging situations and scenarios. Whilst studying for my MA in Music Psychology, I was able to delve more deeply into the positive effects of listening to and playing music, on wellbeing and behaviour. As well as drawing on my personal musical experiences, I have blended these practices to develop impactful lessons and training for children and adults.
Considering my experience, expertise, and insight, combined with the recognition of a general decline in mental health and increase in loneliness globally, the mission statements for the three strands of Asta#Plays services are:
- Education - to empower those delivering music education so they may do so with confidence, creativity, and nuance, regardless of their own perception of their musical ability, or background. To deliver engaging, enriching, and enjoyable musical education to children and adults within a relevant and suitable context.
- Community - to cultivate musical cultures within communities and sub-communities, ensuring meaningful, enjoyable, and healing opportunities are accessible for numerous cross-sections of society.
- Business - to lead businesses in musical ventures so that investment in human resources fosters a healthy working environment, enhanced productivity, and strong staff cohesion.
Core Values
With play underpinning everything that Asta#Plays offers, creativity and development implicitly follow. Using the freedom and exploration that playful approaches afford, these underlying core values are central to the ethos of each strand of services provided by Asta#Plays: education, community, and business related ventures.
Process over product
Obviously, there are points in time when the product matters - nobody wants to pay money to buy your below par stock, or tickets for a concert which is under-rehearsed or badly organised. However, in play, it is the process itself which leads to growth - whether that relates to knowledge and skills, sense of community or self, or elevated mindsets, the journey is integral.
Impact over outcome
Through playing together, singing, learning an instrument, or writing a song, the lasting impact, regardless of the duration of the musical venture, should be substantial. Transferable skills and the enjoyment resulting from the experience itself should be something which can be returned to and utilised time and time again.
Identity over conformity
Music plays a vital part in identity of the self, communities, and cultures. There is no one music, although everyone has their music. If you or your company haven't yet found that, that's fine - we play and discover together. With secure identity a deeply satisfying mental state is obtained, and the path is carved for future development built on stable foundations.
Value over visibility
"Our staff had a training day". "My son plays violin". "I joined a choir". So what? Asta#Plays believes that the "why" is more important than the "what". Bespoke services and careful consultation ensure that all aims are understood by each shareholder. Together we can shape the experience to be truly valuable - not a box-ticking exercise.
Qualifications & Training
"Asta has a wide range of experience teaching younger children and her workshop sessions are always great fun to be part of!"
Head of Primary Music, Co-director of Musical Futures International
"Asta guided me through an incredibly formative period of my professional development, offering unwavering support, expert guidance, and deeply thoughtful feedback that shaped the music educator I am today."
PGCE student (now Head of Primary Music in a prestigious international school)
"Asta's positive impact will be felt at our organisation for years to come...She is a sought after speaker and is able to develop those in her team and colleagues across the music community."
School Principal
