Sheila Warby Memorial Fund
The Pan Pacific Suzuki Association (PPSA) has created a scholarship in memory of Sheila Warby, the highly influential Suzuki piano teacher and teacher trainer, who passed away in August 2017. The scholarship fund has been set up with some initial donations and a pledge for an annual donation from the PPSA.
The scholarship was created in recognition of the time and energy that Sheila put into setting up the PPSA and her long term commitment to the Suzuki Method. The purpose of the fund is to support teacher training and teacher development throughout the PPSA region. Some suitable projects for application by location associations would be:
- Support for a professional development event within a PPSA Association.
- Support for an advanced teacher training course.
We are calling for all Suzuki teachers and families to donate even a small sum to help us build the fund to a level where we can make a significant contribution to Suzuki teacher education in Sheila’s honour.
NZ members can make a donation through the NZSI Bank Account: NZSI 03-0259-0253226-00
Please indicate clearly in the reference that this is a donation to the Sheila Warby Memorial fund as follows: ‘SWMFDonation’.
From the PPSA website:
Sheila Warby was a central figure in the Suzuki community in NSW and all around the world for decades as a piano teacher and teacher trainer. Sheila was first and foremost an amazing teacher, nurturing many of her students through to their final level graduation and beyond, but she was also a caring trainer supervising trainee teachers through their courses, and she was in demand worldwide to tutor at events for students’ programs and teachers’ professional development courses. Through her belief in our wonderful Suzuki method, Sheila worked tirelessly behind the scenes volunteering for many years as a member of the NSW Suzuki Board and serving her time as President.
She was instrumental in setting up the PPSA (Pan Pacific Suzuki Association) which will finally give our region a united foundation to work with. Sheila was Chairperson of the PPSA until stepping down in early 2017, passing the baton on to new teachers. Most Suzuki parents or teachers will have listened to Sheila in one of her many parent talks. Sheila was also the editor of our Tempo magazine for many years and continued to write her inspiring articles whenever asked for one. Her book, “With love in my heart and a twinkle in my ear” will remain a valuable resource for any parent or teacher embarking on musical education. Sheila was passionate about encouraging new parents to embrace the Suzuki method outlining the wonderful gift of music to your children and imparting valuable advice on how to stay motivated and was often our compere at the annual graduation concert at the Opera House. Sheila has touched so many lives and will be sorely missed by many, none more so than her immediate family to whom we send our heartfelt condolences. Family came first for Sheila but their loss is our loss and she will be missed by us all. (from a statement released by Suzuki Talent Education Association of Australia(NSW) Ltd).