A Territory music educator from a remote school won an ARIA award at the 2024 ceremony
A music educator from a remote Territory school was presented the prestigious ARIA Music Teacher Award for 2024, with a famous Australian singer praising his work for ‘bringing music back to the centre of his community’.
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A Top End teacher at a remote school with just 50 students enrolled has been awarded an ARIA for his work.
Nathaniel Miller of Bulman School, east of Katherine, was presented the award in Sydney on Wednesday.
“I’m proud to be representing my community, my school and my people,” Mr Miller said.
Mr Miller won the award for his groundbreaking work in preserving endangered Indigenous language and culture through music education.
“It’s about more than just playing instruments,“ he said.
“It’s about keeping our culture alive, building confidence, and creating a platform for self-expression.”
The award citation noted Mr Miller’s achievement in improving school attendance and boosting student engagement through preserving his community’s local languages.
The ARIA Music Teacher Award was established in partnership with not-for-profit creative arts program The Song Room.
The award highlights the vital role music educators serve in shaping young musicians and strengthening communities.
With Mr Miller the son of Peter Miller, founding member of the NT band Blekbala Mujik, he said music was in his DNA.
“You can do a lot of things with music,” he said.
“It brings better focus, better school attendance, more respect.
“It helps the school itself and the community.”
Territory icon and world renowned artist Jessica Mauboy joined in the praise.
“Nathaniel is bringing music back to the centre of his community,” she said.
“I think his power in his knowledge of the community, the land and culture is a very important tool for students and particularly for the future generations.”