SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2026--
Roland Corporation and Musical Futures International today announce the Roland ASPIRE Project, a research-informed electronic music education programme designed to support hands-on music-making using tactile, accessible hardware in real classroom settings.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260129251600/en/
Developed for teachers from a wide range of musical backgrounds, the programme prioritises practical music-making over prior technical knowledge. The project is currently active in Bangkok, Melbourne, and Singapore.
At the centre of the programme is a classroom set of Roland AIRA Compact instruments, provided to participating schools free of charge for a six-week period, and supported by teacher workshops, lesson guides, and digital resources. These materials support students at different stages of musical experience, from beginners to more confident creators.
Informed by research in Electronic Music Pedagogy, the programme connects academic insight and real-world music-making with classroom practice. Learning activities emphasise exploration, listening, collaboration, and creative decision-making. Resources include clear tutorials and guided “recreate a track” activities linked to popular music styles students recognise and value.
“Young people connect most deeply with music when they are given the opportunity to create in styles that matter to them,” said David Whitehead, Tactical Marketing Manager at Roland Asia Pacific. “The Roland ASPIRE Project gives teachers practical tools and confidence to support that creative process in their classrooms.”
Educators can explore the resources and learn more about the Roland ASPIRE Project at https://musicalfuturesinternational.org/article/roland-aspire-project-inspiring-the-next-generation-of-music-makers/.
About Roland Corporation
For more than 50 years, Roland’s innovative electronic musical instruments and multimedia products have fueled inspiration in artists and creators around the world. Embraced by hobbyists and professionals alike, the company’s trendsetting gear spans multiple categories, from pianos, synthesizers, guitar products, drum and percussion products, DJ controllers, audio/video solutions, gaming mixers, livestreaming products, and more. As technology evolves, Roland and its expanding family of brands, including BOSS, V-MODA, Drum Workshop (DW), PDP, Latin Percussion (LP), and Slingerland, continue to lead the way for music makers and creators, providing modern solutions and seamless creative workflows between hardware products, computers, and mobile devices. For more information, visitRoland.comor see your local Roland dealer. Follow Roland onFacebook, X (@RolandGlobal), and Instagram (@RolandGlobal).
About Musical Futures International
Musical Futures International (MFI) is a not-for-profit music education organisation helping school music teachers to deliver future-focused, learner-led and engaging music programs. MFI works with 1000+ schools in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asian region to pioneer new approaches to music teaching that reflects how popular musicians learn. MFI does this by providing a huge subscription-based resource platform for teachers, which includes resources for teaching rock/pop music, electronic music, and AI for enhancing human creativity (not replacing it!). MFI also hosts over 20 in-person practical teacher workshops each year, including the popular ‘Big Gig’ conferences. For more information, visitmusicalfuturesinternational.orgor find us onFacebook,LinkedInorInstagram.
Roland and Musical Futures International Bring Hands-On Electronic Music Education to Classrooms with the Roland ASPIRE Project
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Not even a point penalty for hindrance slowed Aryna Sabalenka's run to a fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
The top-ranked Sabalenka overpowered Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 Thursday night to move within one victory of a third Australian Open title in four years.
The Belarusian will play the winner of the second semifinal between sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula and fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and was runner-up in Australia to Sabalenka in 2023.
All four players reached the semifinals without dropping a set — in Australia for the first time in 56 years — and Sabalenka and Svitolina were each on 10-match winning streaks to start the season after titles in warmup events.
Sabalenka kept both of her streaks alive. She hit 19 winners and broke Svitolina's serve twice in the first set. She finished with 29 winners to 12 for her Ukrainian rival.
As has become customary for Ukrainians against players from Russia and Belarus, there was no handshakes at the net. There was also no group photo before the match.
Sabalenka is the third woman in the Open era to reach four consecutive singles finals at the Australian Open after Evonne Goolagong and Martina Hingis.
“It’s an incredible achievement but the job’s not done yet,” an emotional Sabalenka said in her on-court TV interview. “I've been watching her game, (Svitolina) was playing incredible. I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could back on her. I’m glad the level was there. I think I played great tennis.”
The only hiccup was the hindrance to start the fourth game. Hindrance is called for a distraction that prevents a player from making a shot, and can include an opponent's loud noise.
Umpire Louise Azemar Engzell deemed Sabalenka made a prolonged grunt after she shanked a forehand. The shot seemed to be going long but landed inside the baseline, giving Svitolina the chance to play on. That's when the umpire intervened.
Sabalenka asked for a video review but the point penalty was upheld when Azemar Engzell confirmed her decision that the grunt was more elongated than usual.
It didn't bother Sabalenka for long. She broke serve in that game and controlled most of the remainder of the match.
Svitolina's only service break was at the start of the second set. But Sabalenka rallied immediately and won the next five games to take the semifinal away.
After reaching her first semifinal in Australia and winning a title in a warmup tournament in New Zealand, Svitolina will return to the top 10 for the first time since she took a maternity break in 2022.
The Auckland title was her first foray back on tour after an early end to the 2025 season for a mental health break. She said the rest and time out prolonged her career.
“Definitely very, very happy with the two weeks here and in New Zealand, as well, winning,” she said. “Gutted to not make it through tonight but it’s very difficult when you’re playing the world No. 1, who is really on fire.”
Svitolina was playing her fourth semifinal at a major — 2019 and 2023 at Wimbledon and the 2019 U.S. Open — but again wasn't able to go to the championship match.
“It was really complicated for me today,” she said, “but, yeah, I just want to take positives from the past weeks, the beginning of the year, and just carry them through for the season.”
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semifinal match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus walks past Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine gestures during her semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semifinal match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
