Andrés Þór Þorvarðarson – interview

Andrés Þór Þorvarðarson is a master's student at the Faculty of Art Education at the Icelandic Academy of Sciences.

"I grew up in Hafnarfjörður and studied percussion at the Hafnarfjörður School of Music. In 2016 I enrolled in a composition course at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and graduated in 2019. I have been in a lot of bands, worked as a sound engineer and as a teacher." 

Andrés subsequently decided to pursue further education and teaching qualifications in the art education department.

"I went to the program because I felt I was missing certain tools and equipment in my teaching. I taught music for two years in two different elementary schools. It was a very rewarding life experience, but at the same time it was obvious that I was missing certain tools and equipment, as mentioned before," says Andrés, who has had a good time as a student in the art education department.

"My experience of the program is great! It's a very enjoyable program, fun people and fun teachers. I've learned an incredible amount, and it was especially fun to go on field trips in elementary school and high school," says Andrés, adding: "All learning is useful to you in some way, every single day."  

Andrés Þór is planning to graduate in June and is currently working on a 30-credit MA research thesis.

"My final project at the Department of Art Education is a study of how and what kind of learning takes place in youth bands. What do they learn from creating their own community, their own rules and setting their own goals, all on their own terms," ​​says Andrés, who will present his final project along with other graduating students at the Department of Art Education's graduation event in May.

What's next for Andrés?

"Finish this final thesis and have a graduation party this spring!"