Sun. Dec 8th, 2024

Piano+ and the New England Conservatorium of Music are inviting piano lovers to participate in the inaugural Autumn Piano School, a new five-day program to be held at the New England Conservatorium of Music in Armidale from 17 to 21 April 2024.  

Over 16 leading piano teachers from around the country will provide one-to-one-lessons, workshops and masterclasses, sharing their expertise, as well as some great teaching moments from their international careers. 

Specialist teachers include:

  • Dr James Cuskelly OAM  an Immediate Past President of the International Kodály Society and Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland (School of Education). He is internationally recognised for his ability to enthuse and educate students of all ages, and has led teacher-training programs around the world. 
  •  Samantha Coates an internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter, and well-known as the creator and publisher of the music education series Blitz Books.
  •  Dr Bernadette Harvey a renowned Australian solo pianist, chamber musician and master teacher at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, NSW.

All teenage and adult participants will be invited to perform in the daily Blackboard Recitals, while primary-school aged children will get to perform in their own concert as part of the event. Three public evening concerts will also be held, each presenting one of our internationally acclaimed performer-teachers.

From what we hope will become an annual event, the inaugural Autumn Piano School in partnership with the New England Conservatorium of Music will be a unique opportunity for piano players of all ages and levels of proficiency to immerse themselves in piano performance, under the tutelage of some of Australia’s best educators and presenters,” said Marcus Barker CEO of Piano+.  

“The Autumn Piano School is suited to participants who are in the first few years of learning, right through to those studying or hoping to study at tertiary level, plus professional studio teachers, and adult amateurs who are simply looking to reconnect with their love of playing the piano.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming pianists of all ages from across Australia, all united by a passion for this marvellously expressive instrument and its extraordinary repertoire,” said Corinne Arter, Co-CEO of the New England Conservatorium.

Enrolments are now open until March 31 or until courses reach capacity with six streams on offer: Beginner and Junior streams, Intermediate and Advanced Streams, and an Adult Amateur Stream, with all ages welcome and enrolment based on skill level. There is also a specialist Pedagogy course for studio piano teachers, with a series of lectures and workshops that focus on the method and practice of teaching. Class numbers are limited.

For more information on courses visit pianoplus.com.au.


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