Catherine Bapty
Catherine Bapty is a music teacher for children of all ages and abilities, with extensive training in Kodaly music education and additional support needs teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education (Primary and Secondary, 1st Class Honours) from the University of Western Australia; and a PG Cert in Inclusive Education (with Distinction) from The University of Edinburgh. Catherine has completed Primary Kodaly Level 1, and Secondary Levels 1 and 2 of the Australian Kodaly certificate, as well as studying at many Kodaly Summer Schools with the Kodaly Institute in Hungary, the British Kodaly Association, and National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS). This training enables Catherine to teach music in a way that is engaging, sequential, and widely varied to suit each class and child. Catherine’s use of Kodaly is also enriched by her training in other methods such as Orff (Levels 1, 2, and 3 in Australia); and Dalcroze (classes with Dr. Joan Pope). Catherine’s teaching is constantly evolving to suit individual pupils, refine methods, and explore new music through the principles of Kodaly.
Catherine has taught in primary and secondary mainstream and ASN schools in Australia and Scotland, and currently divides her time between online Kodaly teaching for Highland Council primary schools; St Mary’s; private ASN music teaching, and caring for a child with complex needs. Catherine is a highly skilled choral and solo classical singer having studied voice at university, and has previously been a member of groups such as the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Edinburgh Singers. Catherine holds a British Sign Language Level 1 and is conversational in BSL. She regularly expands her knowledge of the intersection of sign and music in NYCoS’ signing choir, lead by Paul Whittaker, OBE. She is currently learning Gaelic to support the ethos of Gaelic Medium Education Highland schools, and enjoys the wealth of Gaelic music this is opening up. Catherine’s aim is to teach music in a way that is joyful and accessible for all children, and to foster kindness and confidence in her pupils.