Spotlight On: Mr Cameron Van Reyk

Posted July 25, 2022 in Interviews & Spotlights, Teacher Spotlights, The Wesleyan By Lachlan Fitzgerald

Wesley’s Head of Music, Mr Cameron Van Reyk, is a highly accomplished musician known for his skills as a jazz/classical saxophonist and clarinettist, band director, choral director, composer and arranger. We were very lucky to have him join the College earlier this year.

What were you doing before Wesley?

I am fortunate to have two working lives, with one of them being in the music industry. I am a jazz saxophonist and choral conductor and have been lucky enough to work with some amazing musicians in my time, including the legendary Chick Corea, as well as singing with Adele. Before coming to Wesley, I worked in regional New South Wales at Oxley College and was the Band and Wind Specialist at Perth College.

What do you want students to take away from a year in your classes?

Music plays a part in all of our lives, whether it’s listening to music in the car, going to live performances or even being lucky enough to create music. I always strive to inspire a love of music in my students and let them find their appreciation and interest in any style, form or genre. Music is for everyone and the more our students develop, understand and find their love of music, the more opportunities are created to inspire support for the Arts.

Is there someone who inspired you to become a music specialist?

To me, music is everything. I was lucky enough to be on a choral scholarship at St. Mary’s Cathedral, where I had to sing/rehearse every morning before school and then perform each weekend. I was fortunate to have some amazing teachers growing up, including Dr Robert Braham OAM and Mrs Annette Goerke, who showed me that I could have a career in music. They also inspired my love of teaching and passing on our knowledge and skills to the
next generation.

Outside of the College, what’s your favourite thing to do?

I love to bake! Sourdough, cakes and everything yummy. I paid my way through university by working in a bakery and learnt many cool tricks to create yummy food.

 

This article was originally published in the Winter 2022 edition of The Wesleyan. To read more, click here.

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