Music draws on body, space, time and relationships to offer a sacred experience. Musicking makes personal, social, emotional and spiritual connections with people. Cultural identity is formed through the arts, and the spirituality in music is a medium through which people explore their identities. This study examines how music facilitates the holistic development of two Melbourne-born Chinese-Australian Christian musicians. The Confucian Evolving Self Model, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, and music education aims offer conceptualising scaffolds to illuminate their self-discovery. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to report on multiple semi-structured interviews undertaken over three years. This study considered the interaction of various value systems – the fusion of Confucianism, Christian and psychological cultures in the process of musical development and identity formation. It fills a research gap and complements existing approaches to understanding the social contexts influencing the acquisition of musical skills and musicians’ occupational choices. The permissive parenting that both participants experienced might account for them being able to follow a career in music without familial resistance. The current findings can advocate for music education because the spiritual aspects of musical experiences were perceived as a mirror in fostering the holistic development of both participants.
Aim/Purpose: It aimed at investigating the motives and challenges of 15 mature-aged doctoral students at two education faculties in Australian and Asian contexts.
Background: This cross-border research collaboration investigated the first international higher-research forum between two education faculties in Hong Kong and Australia.
Methodology: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to explore partic-ipants’ self-reported experiences concerning the motivations and challeng-es of 15 mature-aged doctoral students.
Contribution: The findings have important implications for global doctoral program de-velopment, international exchange forum organizations, intercultural capaci-ty building, academic enhancement and cross-border research collabora-tion.
Findings: From interview data four overarching themes emerged: Taking calculated risks, Determination to succeed, Financial stress, and Balancing life and research.
Recommendations for Practitioners: Recommendations include mentoring schemes, greater support for isolated students, and more opportunities for students to complete their PhD by publication.
Recommendation for Researchers: More research is needed to investigate mature-aged students’ motives for embarking on study in diverse cultural contexts among different ethnic groups.
Impact on Society: This study recognized the merits and potentials of mature students whose research contributes to their societies.
Future Research: Future research directions include using multiple case study design, thus exploring diverse aspects of the existing sample in greater depth, as well as tapping into a new sample of students at risk of attrition at both faculties.
Phenomenological research seeks understanding through descriptions of lived experiences using history, culture, and society to identify the true essence of human experiences. This study examined the relationships between faith community, socialisation, and occupational choices. Specifically, it investigated two musician-educators' identity development and practices as educational leaders, focusing on the interplay between religion, music, cultural heritage, and stewardship. Confucian collectivism and Christian individualism served as the theoretical underpinnings where concepts of filial piety, Christian love, and the Protestant work ethic were explored. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to interpret the data gathered in semi-structured interviews. Overarching themes that emerged from both narratives were analysed. Both participants became renowned educators and role models in society. Their journeys were reframed into "The Parable of the Talents," where they attributed their successes to God's provision, and their work as stewardship to the institutions they served. Finally, faith-based institutions play an important role in the shaping of moral people that continues to positively influence them long after their graduation. Weekly chapel assembly was perceived as a key element in the planting of seeds in young minds. Further research is needed to explore the interactions between music, religion, cultural heritage, and stewardship in all cultures and faiths.
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