Teaching Overview
In addition to being a performer and composer, Shirantha Beddage is a dedicated, passionate and versatile educator. As a faculty member, guest artist and clinician, he utilizes his skills as a performer and composer to communicate the language of music to students of all ages.
Higher Education
In Fall 2024, Shirantha begins a new position as Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto Jazz Studies program, where he will be working with undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral students.
As a Professor in the Humber College Bachelor of Music program (2009-2024), he was nationally recognized for his integration of theory and practice using hands-on training and innovative technologies.
Prior to Humber, Shirantha was Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Theory at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia, USA.
“O Canada” performed by Humber Music students, arranged by Mike Downes, Mark Kelso and Shirantha Beddage.
At Fontys University in the Netherlands.
Guest Artist Clinics, Workshops and Adjudications
Shirantha is available for clinics and workshops on a variety of subjects, including jazz ensemble pedagogy, improvisation, theory and ear training. He is a highly experienced adjudicator, having worked with numerous jazz ensembles at the high school, middle school and college level in the United States and Canada, including frequent participation in MusicFest Canada where he serves as adjudicator and Vice-Chairman of Instrumental Jazz. He has also worked extensively as a clinician with educators, through interactive workshops at educational conferences.
Guest artist residencies:
Fontys University (the Netherlands)
University of Peradeniya (Kandy, Sri Lanka)
University of Saskatchewan (Canada)
Butler University (Indiana, USA)
Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band (Canada)
Festival Adjudications:
MusicFest Canada (2010-present)
Abbotsford Jazz Week (British Columbia, Canada)
Orillia Jazz Festival (Ontario, Canada)
St. John’s Rotary Festival (Newfoundland, Canada)
Next Generation Jazz Festival (Ontario, Canada)
Toronto District Catholic School Board Festival (Ontario, Canada)
Capital Region Musicfest (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Kitchener Waterloo Kiwanis Festival (Ontario, Canada)
Shirantha has presented workshops at:
Manitoba Music Educators’ Association Conference
Advancing Learning Conference (Ontario, Canada)
Apple Distinguished Educator Festival of Learning
Canadian Music Educators National Conference
British Columbia Music Educators Conference
If you’ve been to one of Shirantha’s clinics and you need a copy of a handout, visit the Handouts page.
Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) Program
Shirantha is a proud member of the Apple Distinguished Educator program, a community of over 2500 teachers worldwide who have been recognized for their innovative use of Apple technology. To learn more about the ADE program, visit ade.apple.com.
To see Shirantha’s use of iPads in his Music Theory classroom, see this featured post on the GoodNotes blog.
“Through his compositions, playing, teaching and personality, Shirantha was able to develop a strong connection with our students immediately. His compositions and playing feature a unique blend of wit, logic and lyricism. His teaching is detailed, organized and compelling. His personality reflects his interest in connecting to all students, regardless of prior musical background. Shirantha’s visit was very inspiring.”
Testimonials
“Shirantha Beddage shared his expertise and good humour with our students during our 28th Annual TCDSB Music Festival. His adjudication is clear, age appropriate and furthers musical understanding while maintaining an entirely approachable manner and providing masterful demonstration. We would be honoured to have him return year after year.”
“The key take away from the session was that how Shirantha put a top class band together in just under probably 60 minutes. Never experienced anything like that before.”