Earlier research by the Research Group LLMA into mentoring has led to the development of a national co-mentoring programme (Reflect) in the UK. It was written by Peter Renshaw and executed under his supervision.

Mentoring underpins the Master programmes and results of this research will be used, among others, in the mentoring module of the new Music Master of the Prince Claus Conservatoire. Teachers in the Masters of both the Prince Claus Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatoire will engage in a mentoring development programme. The intention of the mentoring process in the master programmes is among other things to help students to reflect on their professional practice and to determine their personal pathway.

Once the mentoring processes start they will be evaluated through a process of action research. Also attention will be paid to co-mentoring. The Research Group is currently running a series of cross-sector and cross-arts projects. Collaborative partners in these projects are engaged in the mentoring project as well.

Researchers: Peter Renshaw, Marc van Roon, Rineke Smilde (evaluation).

Mentoring

Mentoring is a developmental process, including elements of coaching, facilitating and counselling, aimed at sharing knowledge and encouraging individual development. Mentoring has a longer-term focus designed to foster personal growth and to help an individual place their creative, personal and professional development in a wider cultural, social and educational context.

Co-mentoring

Co-mentoring offers a dynamic collaborative learning process for creative and cultural practitioners and emerging leaders in schools to engage in an equal exchange of knowledge, skills and experience aimed at developing and sustaining innovative partnership practice and embedding creativity and creative learning in the heart of their organisations. It is a time limited relationship with a clear, agreed focus.

The mentoring report 'The place of mentoring' written by Peter Renshaw seeks to clarify how professional musicians can engage in their own lifelong learning reflective and reflexive practice. The report below is an extended edition from the first publication in 2006.

The Place of Mentoring 2009 - Peter Renshaw