Dr. Richard Vaudrey
Head of Ensemble and Studio Music, Peninsula Grammar;
Conductor, Victorian State School Spectacular Orchestra;
Presenter and Educational Specialist, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
ANAM Alum (Cello, Performance Program 2006-2009)
My time at ANAM holds a special place in my heart. A time in my life where each day existed to focus entirely on music, entirely on my instrument. Each day commenced pedalling my bike from Port Melbourne to South Melbourne before the obligatory morning coffee at Zappa’s next to the old Butterfly Club. Whilst these names now hold only a reference for the history books, they were part of the culture being formed under the banner of ANAM. A culture of talented young people being gifted time. Time to submerge ourselves in our craft with the highest of personal dreams, inspired by our fellow students who at the times all seemed to be seeking a similar quest; to be truly great at something.
ANAM musicians, 2006.
Twenty years on, when I think back on my wonderful years at ANAM, the greatest gift I now realise was that time. Time to absorb the insights of the four and half hours of lessons with Howard Penny each week. Time to process (and hold strong opinions) about the “Fridays at 3” guest lectures, time to prepare for our heroes that we played for in masterclasses, time to watch each other journey through the ups and downs of discovering ourselves as adults and musicians. Time to form a community between staff and students, that allowed us to grow as both musicians and better people.
Being present when ANAM was on the brink of closure was a learning experience in itself! I clearly remember a meeting where the staff turned to the students and effectively gave us full permission to do what we could to save the place. Of course, as young passionate activists, we cornered the relevant politician on their night off at the opera, and somehow felt like we’d contributed to keeping those doors open. Being the first student advocate and discovering the divide in understanding between career-driven professionals and students was a life changing experience. The gift of a seat at the table to resolve and educate each side of a situation was a priceless insight into industry and collaborative management. These are lessons and skills that one can’t learn ‘in a course’; they are learned in a community, and ANAM was that for us.
The music, the teaching, the colleagues, the performances, they were all world-class. And what a gift it was that we had the time to lean into all of that. I will be forever grateful for those years and memories.
Make use of that time, future ANAM students. You won’t regret it.
Richard Vaudrey headshot by Laura May Grogan