Through revisiting the whole experience/artefact, I was able to break the different sensory elements that add to the language of music, movement, and drama.

As I entered the country, the wind shifted from being a gentle breeze to a steadily increasing force, and then suddenly I felt a powerful gust. I can hear the different notes or sounds produced based on the wind’s intensity. I can hear the sounds of the birds in the distance, the difference in engine sounds from varied motor vehicles on the road, and the switching between the pedestrian crossing signal and the lights. This reminded me of Oliveros’s (2014),” Deep listening and listening is a mysterious process”.  As I hummed quietly inside me, I was able to give attention and segment different sounds and became the primary composer of the music happening around me. (Schafer, 2009)

The lavender scent varied between being strong and other times fading and, all the trees, plants, and shrubs on the land swayed to the wind, and the vigour in their movement switched between slow to fast based on the wind beat. The birds flapped their wings, diving in and out of the water, and continued to gracefully swim. I felt it was an invitation for me to open my arms and swing according to the rhythm. My physical response and how I rediscovered myself was a clear example of how movement allows you to interact and express.

I was deeply enjoying the stillness, but then I was interrupted by the harsh abrupt engine noises from the vehicle. It created a tension in me, my heart pounding heavily engulfed with a sense of fear. But then I felt the shooting sun rays piercing my skin, followed by a heavy wind and clouds gathering grey signalling the rain, masking the raucous. This tension between the two worlds was an epic drama, which unleashed my creativity in building an imaginary story, through which I was able to solve mysteries, problem-solve, and live some of my childhood fairy tale fantasies.

I explored all the senses through, hearing the sounds, feeling the wind, smelling the natural aroma, and the beauty and I could say I tasted the joy.

According to Wilson (2007), the imaginary world allows children to learn essential concepts of the real world, which is evident when I realised, my imaginative story didn’t stop with one, every time I revisited it, I developed a new stage and how the elements will come into action.

As I was humming happily, I was reminded of the words of Wooten (2013), There is no right or wrong and we are not looking for another musician, we are looking for an opportunity to express ourselves. (Wooten, 2013)

The overall experience allowed me to experience the togetherness of music, movement, and drama in connection with nature.

This harmony has created a greater influence on my teaching practices, using nature as a tool, I will thoughtfully incorporate the language of music, drama, and movement so that our children will be able to express without any rules and discover themselves.

The last thing I remember is setting my clock, now I am standing on a completely different land. This place seems magical, everything looks tranquil. Did I time travel?

Are those Lavenders? I playfully said, “Hello, Lavenders! I am lost, where am I?”

To my surprise, I hear a gentle voice, “You have come to the Kingdom of Summit. The land on which you can dance and sing with nature”’

I stopped blinking, did the Lavenders talk to me?  Then appeared a Lavender fairy, she uttered in a very warm voice, “Fear not, follow my scent, the path will reveal itself to you”.

I followed the scent, captivated by the beauty around me, I reached a grassy meadow. I feel my legs are heavy, my body is tired following the invisible lead. I made my way under a tree and closed my eyes.

A faded note feels like a lullaby torn between tiredness, yet I strained my ears to uncover the solace in the song.

I drifted slowly into a deep sleep and, without a warning gashed a roar, I jumped myself up. I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my room. Was that a dream?

I know the Kingdom of Summit is still there waiting for me.

City of Casey. (n.d.). Traditional Owners. Retrieved from https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/traditional-owners

Oliveros, P. (2015, May 13). Pauline Oliveros: The difference between hearing and listening [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QHfOuRrJB8

Schafer, R.M [Raymond Murray]. (2009). Listen [Video} https://www.nfb.ca/film/listen/

Wilson, R. 2007, Children, creative play, and the natural environment, in R. Wilson (edn) Nature and Young Children: Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments, Routledge. Ch 1, pp 1-18.

Wooten, V. (2013, December 18). Victor Wooten: Music as a language | TEDxGabriolaIsland [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zvjW9arAZ0