The Human Alchemy - Paperback

Michael Griffin (M.Ed Studies, B.Ed, A.Mus.A) is an educator, motivational speaker, author, conductor and pianist. Griffin has enjoyed a range of educational roles and experiences in his home town of Adelaide, and throughout the world. His talks are inspired by theory of motivation and the premise that the greatest predictor of progress - music and otherwise - is the quality and the quantity of practise time. Indeed, his latest book Learning Strategies for Musical Success investigates these concepts in some detail providing pragmatic solutions for music teachers and students. Griffin presents not just to music educators but to full staffs on general learning essentials such as fostering intrinsic motivation and expert learning. He has spoken to groups of staff, students, parents and community audiences in more than 100 schools in every state of Australia, and in many more schools in another 25 countries around the world. Many of these schools such as Eton College are considered world leaders in education. As well as schools, Griffin has been the Keynote or Consultant Speaker at several global education events including the European Council for International Schools (Hamburg and Nice), Association of International Schools Africa Educators' Conference (South Africa), English Schools' Foundation (Hong Kong), International Educators Conference (Brunei), British Schools of the Middle East Arts Conference (Oman), Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées (Switzerland), ASME WA and numerous MTA, ANCA and UK music service conferences. As a conductor, Griffin's choral ensembles have received more than 40 prizes and awards (half of these first prizes) in Australian competitions including one of Australia's major choral prizes, the Australasian Open Choral Championship in 2004. Griffin has adjudicated at several eisteddfods and been guest conductor for major events including the 2014 Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival, and several events in Switzerland, Asia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Earlier leadership experiences in SA included stints as Musical Director for Pirates of Penzance (G&S Society, Adelaide), Catholic Schools Music Festival, Adelaide Boys Choir, and the Brighton School Choirs - at that time considered among the best school choirs in Australia. In 2006 Griffin was awarded the South Australian Education and Arts Ministers' Prize, and is listed in the inaugural Who's Who South Australia for 2007 and also in 2008 for services to music education.