Meet the Expo 2024 speaker: Stephanie Warrender

MT: Describe yourself in three words.

SW: Passionate, organised, caring.

MT: What will you be sharing with Expo delegates?

SW: The Laulau Songdrawing Method is a multi-sensory activity in which singing, drawing, movement and storytelling are combined in a holistic and interactive process. During the workshop, we will look at how Songdrawing supports children in cross-curricular learning and how it offers inclusivity and interactivity. I’ll be sharing my knowledge about how Songdrawing can support Early Years and primary, neurodiversity, positive touch, linguistic skills, and much more. We will also be drawing and singing together, as I feel the best form of learning is ‘doing’. I’ll be talking mainly from a pedagogical point of view, but also about how the methods can work within therapy.

MT: Tell us a bit about your background and career.

SW: I started the piano at around four years old, and my love of music only grew from there. I learnt the flute at primary school, delved into the pop and songwriting world at 16, and taught myself guitar and saxophone at university. I then became a primary school teacher and music director in schools, which I am still to this day. As well as having my own class, I run a choir, teach ukulele, train and mentor staff, and run singing assemblies. In 2019 I met Minna Lappalainen, a Finnish musician, Early Years educator and founder of the Laulau education company in Finland. We joined forces and I brought her methods over here, creating Laulau Learning UK. I’m now helping Minna develop the methods and tailor them to the UK education system.

MT: If you could make one change to the UK music education system, what would it be?

SW: I would make sure that music education is accessible to all. Too often, I see schools struggle to pay for instruments and qualified music teachers. I also wish music therapy was accessible to all SEND children in school – I’ve seen first-hand the wonders it can offer.

MT: Other than your session, what are you looking forward to when attending the Expo?

SW: As a primary school lead, I am looking forward to a range of workshops that will give me ideas and strategies to use directly with the children I work with. I’ve also spotted a session on ‘music and mindfulness’, which is something I’d like to incorporate into my own practice.

MT: What were the key takeaways from your own music education?

SW: I was lucky to have a wonderful high school music education. I had influential and experienced teachers who gave me performance opportunities and allowed me not only to improve as a musician but as a performer. Very little of what I needed from school was actual ‘skill’; it was more about opportunities to showcase myself and build confidence.

MT: Who should attend your Expo session and why?

SW: If you work with SEND children or in EYFS, then you must attend my session! Plus, anyone working in primary education or as a music or speech therapist should attend. I hope to instil confidence in using music as a cross-curricular tool and adding Songdrawing as another element of your practice.

MT: What do you hope to see happen in music education in the next five years?

SW: When you become a primary teacher, you go through rigorous training in most subjects, are observed countless times and have multiple placements and meetings. But I remember just one conversation about music education during my teacher training. I was thrown into teaching music with – to my trainers’ knowledge – no experience. Most primary teachers lack the confidence and musical training. My hope is that music becomes much more embedded into teacher training and trainees are shown how to use it in a cross-curricular way.

MT: In your view, what should we be talking about that currently isn’t getting enough attention within music education?

SW: I feel educational progression isn’t talked about enough within music education. There’s a lack of knowledge in schools about the diversity of musical careers available, which means fewer students progress to further music education or careers within the music industry, and fewer appreciate the wealth of benefits provided by a life enriched with music.

The 2024 Music & Drama Education Expo takes place on 22 and 23 February at the Business Design Centre, London. View the full programme and register for free at musicanddramaeducationexpo.co.uk