My Gurus – Judith Webster

A reflection on the inspirational rule-breakers, unexpected challenges and creative teachers that have shaped the career of Judith Webster, CEO of Music for Youth.

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Arts People |

By Judith Webster

01 January 1970

Photo of Judith Webster

Photo: Music For Youth

Anice Paterson

As a young person I wasn’t very good at breaking the rules. Anice, my inspirational music teacher, got me improvising for the first time, listening to all kinds of contemporary music from her endless vinyl collection, and invited me to her house on Saturday evenings to play string quartets with her friends – all at least 25 years my senior – as an equal, and an adult. Her creativity, her healthy disregard for the rule book and her ability to be radical within conventional boundaries were where my real education began. This taught me to always have a go, be creative, take risks. What’s the worst that can happen?

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