Piano+ and the New England Conservatorium of Music have announced the launch of the Autumn Piano School, suited to every level of pianist.
The new five-day program will be held at the prestigious New England Conservatorium of Music in Armidale, NSW, from 17 to 21 April 2024.
Enrolments are now open until March 31 or until courses reach capacity.
Six streams are on offer, but class numbers are limited: beginner (22 students), junior (40), intermediate (30), advanced (12), and adult amateur (8), with all ages welcome and enrolment based on skill level.
There is also a specialist Pedagogy course for studio piano teachers (limit of 25), with a series of lectures and workshops that focus on the method and practice of teaching.
More than 16 leading piano teachers from around the country will provide one-to-one-lessons, workshops and masterclasses. Specialist teachers include:
- Dr James Cuskelly (OAM) – immediate past president of the International Kodály Society and Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland (School of Education).
- Samantha Coates – an internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter, and well-known as the creator and publisher of the music education series BlitzBooks.
- 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 the program’s internationally acclaimed performer-teachers.
Mr Marcus Barker, CEO of Piano+, said he hopes the Autumn Piano School will become an annual event.
“In partnership with the New England Conservatorium of Music, the Autumn Piano School 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,” he said.
“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 adults amateurs who are simply looking to reconnect with their love of playing the piano.”
For more information on courses visit pianoplus.com.au.
