Woody's Music Education and the Woody's Piano Circle™ series of books are the brainchild of Bev Woodford - hence Mrs Woody and Woody's Piano Circle™.
Hi, my name is Bev Woodford. I studied at Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music where I gained my Bachelor of Music. I have taught in many, many schools and taught as a head teacher at The Yamaha Music Foundation specialising in 4-8 year olds.
Together with my husband we ran a very successful music school in Frankston for 23 years where I wrote my own Pre-Instrument course for 4-8 year olds. This was extremely successful and a fun way of introducing young children to formal music training, after which they were able to choose any instrument to pursue with a sound knowledge of music fundamentals.
I am a teacher, musical director and conductor and have mentored many fellow musicians. I have been involved over the years in the research of teaching younger children and have found 2 things:
As a culmination of all my teaching experiences I have written this very unique 2 year course which is an introduction aimed at, and moving in, a logical, fun and educational progression for this age group.
For more information about my qualifications and experience, please see my bio below.
Bev has taught all age ranges of students for over 44 years but has a particular interest in teaching younger students - learning and experiencing the correct musical fundamentals in a fun and happy environment.
Bev has been playing piano since she was 8 years old. She completed practical and theory examinations with the Australian Music Examinations Board and attained her Bachelor of Music from Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music. Her chief study was piano but has also studied clarinet, flute, voice, theory, composition and conducting.
Bev has taught at many schools including Firbank CEGGS, St Leonards College, Cornish College, Karingal PS, Kingsley Park PS, Balcombe Grammar, Mt Eliza Secondary College, Monash University, Woodleigh School (both Woodleigh and Minimbah), Yamaha Music Foundation (Caulfield, Camberwell, and head teacher at Mt Waverley) and ran her own very successful music school in Frankston. Bev taught piano, recorder, guitar, violin, instrumental ensembles and vocal ensembles and MD'd school shows and concerts.
Bev originally wrote her own Pre-Instrument course for groups of 4-8 year olds teaching up to 120 students a week at this level. It used piano as the tool to learn, encompassing rhythmic, melodic and harmonic activities. She also trained many other teachers to teach the course.
This proved to be a very successful method of introducing young children to formal and educational music training in a fun way after which they were able to choose any instrument to pursue with a sound basic knowledge of music fundamentals. Woody's is an evolution from this with original songs, piano pieces and music puzzles.
Bev has been involved in Music Theatre in over 70 shows and has been Musical Director of 55+ of them receiving many nominations from the MTGV (Music Theatre Guild of Victoria). She has conducted shows for PLOS Musical Productions, CLOC Musical Theatre, Panorama Theatre Company, the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria End of Year awards for excellence nights (preparing, orchestrating and conducting an orchestra of 35+ instrumentalists and vocalists), fund raising concerts and many schools. Shows include Me and My Girl, Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar and West Side Story, Follies, Les Miserables, Annie, Joseph, A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles, Cats, The Wizard of Oz, 42nd Street, Shout, Hot Shoe Shuffle, High Society and Dusty.
She has been on stage and worked behind the scenes as rehearsal pianist, playing keyboards/piano in the pit, back stage, costumes and sets. Bev has orchestrated countless theatre pieces.
Bev is a life member of PLOS Musical Productions and the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. Bev was awarded Musical Director of the year in 2014 by MTGV for 42nd Street with CLOC, the Sue Dyer Memorial Award in 2014 for her work with PLOS on the production of Addams Family and the Edith Harrhy award in 2009 for outstanding contribution to musical theatre.
Bev also: