Travelling teacher Tina Greenfield brings instrumental music to regional schools

Tuesday 9 DecemberTue 9 Dec 2025 at 1:05am

A woman with long brown hair smiling. — Tina Greenfield teaches instrumental music at five schools in the North Burnett. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

In short:

Tina Greenfield is known as the travelling instrumental music teacher.

She drives about 350 kilometres each week to teach at five regional Queensland schools.

The students are relishing the opportunity to learn an instrument.

You can hear Tina Greenfield's classroom from the other side of the school.

It is not because she has rowdy students; in fact, they work together to quickly unpack their instruments, music stands and chairs as they settle in for band practice.

There is always a hum of excitement on the days Ms Greenfield comes to town.

Students sitting on chairs playing instruments. — The students also gather for band practice after school. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

She travels between five schools in the North Burnett, inland from Bundaberg, teaching instrumental music and sharing her passion with students who would otherwise miss out.

"Music is for everyone,"

Ms Greenfield said.

She has been a key part in revitalising the instrumental music program at primary and high schools in the towns of Monto, Mundubbera and Gayndah.

Students standing behind percussion instruments — The program is available to students in year 3 and above. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

"When I first started out here at the beginning of the year, I put out a note saying, 'Any children that are interested, we'll get them in,'" Ms Greenfield said.

"Everyone has equal opportunity to join the program."

About 80 students across the five schools are now learning percussion, brass and woodwind instruments.

A woman standing with a school girl sitting in front playing the flute. — Tina Greenfield teaches 82 students in the North Burnett. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

Embraced by students

Ms Greenfield said the benefits of music flowed into other classrooms.

"The biggest thing is we can really help foster teamwork … we are an ensemble-based program, so every single child is part of an ensemble," she said.

"It also helps develop their focus.

"My job is to help build that relationship with music so that they've always got a healthy output for their emotions."

Those life lessons are already being recognised by the students.

A young girl in a school uniform sitting on a chair and playing the clarinet. — The clarinet is Dusty-Rose Louttit's instrument of choice. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

"[For] some people who are nervous of performing, sometimes an instrument can get them out there, make them feel more confident," Monto State High School student Dusty-Rose Louttit said.

Fellow student Charlotte Dahtler said she was keen to keep playing flute after graduating.

"I'd like to still do it as a hobby — just as a fun thing to do," she said.

A young girl in a school uniform sitting on a chair playing the flute. — Charlotte Dahtler plans to continue playing flute through high school and after graduating. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

"It gives you a great experience. It opens you up to different talents that you didn't have before, or you never knew you had."

The program has helped boost music exposure to younger students, such as Joseph Slattery.

A young boy in a school uniform sitting in front of a piano. — Joseph Slattery is enjoying learning percussion. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

"I get to play a variety of instruments, and I can learn new stuff," he said.

"I've played bass drum, snare drum, drum kit, xylophone, glockenspiel, claves, tambourine."

'Happiness on a plate'

Monto State School principal Troy Jenkins said finding someone with both instrumental skills and a passion for teaching was a unique challenge — especially in a regional area.

A man in a button-up shirt smiles while sitting at a table. — Troy Jenkins says the program helps fill a gap in the regional town. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)

"We had issues around getting staff members to facilitate the program, so for a small period of time we went to a distance ed [education] model," he said.

Mr Jenkins said Ms Greenfield's teaching was a huge boost to the school community.

"Our kids don't have a music teacher just down the road that they can access privately," he said.

"[Now] they're able to learn an instrument of their choice, but they're also able to participate in that band element and become immersed in that arts culture."

For Ms Greenfield, seeing her students succeed is "just happiness on a plate".

"Once they get it, it is just like jumping for joy. That is the best part of my career," she said.

"It's the biggest joy that you will ever see. Their faces just light up."

Their success reflects Ms Greenfield's own journey, from shy child to confident teacher.

"I wouldn't have a conversation with someone unless I had my instrument in my hand and my instrument was my safety net," she said.

"I would never be comfortable sitting down and talking in front of people until it came to playing an instrument — and I could perform in front of everyone.