E13 | From Opera to the Boardroom: Ditta Zizi's Governance Journey

Thank you.

Back to music.

It's very well documented, of course, that learning music strengthens a child's thinking, helps them focus, boosts learning, boosts wellbeing.

Coming from Italy, and obviously with an embedded love of music, which went on, of course, to be an embedded love of opera particularly, do you believe that Australia sufficiently values the impact of music in our education sector and what we might do to be able to lift this or change this?

There's something in our wiring that attracts us to music.

It's a cultural thing to a certain extent, but I think it's a very visceral thing.

And, you know, it soothes us, it excites us, it inspires us.

So that doesn't matter how you experience the music, whether you play in a band or you're in a group or you're in an orchestra.

And it's got some amazing benefits, as you mentioned, but it's One of the most important things that I see that are really relevant in our current society is that it teaches us team dynamics and empathy and communications.

Going back to your question, I'm really sorry to say that the answer is no.

And it's a conversation that I have over and over with professionals in the industry, with educators, and with people in general about the poor state of audience participation.

And simply, it would appear that we do not value music education.

It's usually an add-on.

And when things get tough economically or otherwise, it's the first thing to drop off.

There's a lot going on in our lives and particularly in our crowded lives of our young people.

And so when HSC and other things come up, they drop out of orchestra or other music activities.

Music is for everyone and it should be encouraged.

And singing is a great way of getting people to participate in music making because you just bring yourself.

Anything that exposes us to music is beneficial.

It helps to build community.

It's so satisfying.

You know, you talk to people who sing in choirs and when they finish their session, there's a real buzz in the room afterwards because people's endorphins have been woken and they're singing and breathing.

Music making is as beneficial as getting out out there or going to the gym, it has the same benefits.