For 51小湿妹 Academy of Performing Arts brass tutor and Ensemble Director Miss Inge Dekker, music is far more than notes on a page, it鈥檚 a powerful way to tell stories, express emotion and help students discover their own voice.
Alongside her work at 51小湿妹, Miss Dekker is an accomplished educator, performer and composer. She teaches and directs ensembles, performs with the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and Resonance of Birralee, and has had her original compositions performed by leading ensembles.
Passionate about nurturing confidence, creativity and self-expression, Inge is committed to creating an environment where every student feels valued, encouraged and inspired to grow.
Get to know Miss Dekker and how faith shapes her approach to music and teaching.
Tell us about your role within the 51小湿妹 Academy of Performing Arts and what a typical day look like for you.聽
I teach French horn and trumpet in both individual and group lessons. I also co-direct the primary ensemble Alpha Band alongside Glenn Schaffer. A typical day includes working closely with students to develop their musical skills, confidence, creativity and playing as a team in an ensemble.聽
Every creative journey has a beginning! What first lit the spark of performing arts in you, and what path brought you to 51小湿妹?聽
My musical journey started with learning piano and being an animated young singer in choirs. In Grade 5, I discovered the French horn, which quickly became one of my main instruments alongside singing and piano. I became drawn to music because of its powerful ability to tell a story and express deep emotions, in a way that words simply cannot. This passion inspired me to begin writing music and eventually study a Bachelor of Composition at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
What excites you most about working with young performers?
I am excited to continue sharing and passing on my passion for music as a powerful form of communication. I truly believe in the idea that 鈥渨here words fail, music speaks,鈥� and it is incredibly rewarding to see students discover their own voice and confidence through music. I am continuously encouraging students to see music as more than notes on a page but as a form of storytelling.
How would you describe your teaching style? What do you hope students feel and takeaway from your lessons?
My teaching style is centred on meeting students where they are at, understanding their individual skills, goals and learning styles. While developing technical skills, I want them to discover the joy of music-making and grow in creativity, communication and self-expression. I aim to create a comfortable and encouraging environment where they feel free to express themselves musically. I hope my lessons feel like a breath of fresh air in their day, a space where students feel supported, inspired and excited to learn.
Faith shapes so much of who we are. How does your relationship with God influence the way you nurture and support students in the arts?
My relationship with God shapes the way I approach both music and teaching. I believe creativity reflects God鈥檚 creation and music is a powerful gift that can inspire others. My faith also encourages me to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel valued, cared for and confident to grow. I aim to share God鈥檚 love through patience, kindness and nurturing each student鈥檚 unique gifts and abilities.
What experiences from your career or journey as a performer have had the greatest impact on how you teach today?
As a young child I was quite shy and soft-spoken, but music was the place where I felt most confident and able to truly be myself. My journey of learning different instruments and performing both in ensembles and as a soloist helped build my confidence, social skills, creativity and self-expression in a way nothing else could. These experiences have had a huge impact on how I teach today. I understand how important it is for students to feel supported, encouraged and safe to express themselves through music. I want my students to experience the same sense of confidence, connection, and joy that music gave me, while also helping them grow not only as performers, but as individuals.
What skills, values or personal growth do you believe students gain from the performing arts beyond what鈥檚 seen on stage?聽
Performing arts are a wonderful way of building lifelong skills. We learn teamwork, confidence, discipline, creativity, self-expression, resilience, communication and the value of dedication. I believe music is far more powerful than we often realise as it truly can embody so much of who we are.
What’s something about you that would genuinely surprise your students 鈥� a hidden talent, a fun fact, or something they’d never guess?
I can speak 3 languages and have a hidden talent for picking up different accents. I think this comes from having travelled overseas many times and having my family split across seven countries.
Outside of the performing arts, what do you enjoy doing?
I love doing bible studies with friends, leading a youth group at church, learning languages, going on hikes, watching musicals and travelling overseas!
In what ways are you actively involved in the wider (outside of 51小湿妹) Performing Arts.
Outside of 51小湿妹, I teach brass and direct an orchestra at Calvary Christian College and I also teach voice and direct a Grade 5 choir at Prince of Peace Lutheran College. As a performer, I sing in the Resonance of Birralee choir and play French horn in the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. I am actively composing music and have had original music performed by Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra (2026), The Australian Voices (2025), Queensland Youth Orchestra (2024), Birralee Voices (2024), Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra (2023), Queensland Symphony Orchestra (2019) and Queensland University Musical Society Choir (2024). I hope to become a published composer and write music for both community and school ensembles.