Katharine Finlayson is the president of Kodály ACT. She has been a primary music specialist teacher for 38 years and her programs are based on the Kodály philosophy, reflecting her passion for singing. In 2011 Katharine received a National Award for Excellence in School Music Education. In 2016 Katharine was awarded the AKC in Primary Music and she also achieved Certification as a Lead Teacher with AITSL, renewed in 2021. In 2022 Katharine was honoured to receive an Award for Excellence in Mentoring by the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia.
Katharine held the role of Executive Teacher, Professional Practice for Music and the Arts for the Education Directorate, ACT from 2014 – 2022. Katharine worked with a large number of classroom and specialist music teachers, increasing their capacity to deliver Kodály based music education programs to their classes. Katharine established the ACT Primary Concert Choir in 2014 and the ACT Senior Concert Choir in 2017. In 2023 she was the Artistic Director and Vocal Director of Step Into the Limelight, the ACT Education Directorate’s Gala performing arts showcase.