Piano+ and the New England Conservatorium of Music delivered the inaugural Autumn Piano School, a five-day immersion in the joy of piano. The Autumn Piano School was open to piano-lovers at all levels of expertise and took place in beautiful Armidale from 17 – 21 April 2024.

There was so much on offer in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the Autumn Piano School. From one-to-one-lessons to workshops and masterclasses, participants met and worked with some of the best teachers in Australia who shared their experience and expertise, and some great teaching moments from their international careers.

The Autumn Piano School were designed to accommodate every level of piano, from Beginner to Advanced, Amateur to Pedagogue.

Pedagogy Stream

Studio piano teachers were encouraged to join the Pedagogy stream. Participants learnt from outstanding Australian pianists, piano pedagogues and music educators, and connected with colleagues to share teaching experiences and tips. Early career teachers and music students interested in becoming studio teachers were especially welcome.

Topics covered included teaching beginner, junior, intermediate and advanced students, teaching children with learning difficulties, how to inspire and motivate, exploration of Australian repertoire, and guiding students to develop healthy technique. Classroom music teachers may also be interested in attending selected sessions.

Half day pedagogy and full course opportunities were offered to suit busy lives and budgets.   

Beginner and Junior Streams

For the young pianist and budding maestro’s, the Beginner or Junior streams were the perfect place to learn new skills and and create shared experiences. The Beginner Stream welcomed primary-school aged students who had less than three years of formal piano lessons. The Junior Stream was designed for children and young teenagers who were working at AMEB Preliminary to Grade 4 level (or equivalent).

Morning tea for the students was included each day. Parents and/or guardians were welcome to sit in on any of their children’s classes.

Intermediate and Advanced Streams

For pianists seeking to refine their skills and excel in examinations, the Intermediate and Advanced Streams challenged and inspired. Those thinking of studying music at tertiary level, had the opportunity to meet and learn from some of Australia’s leading tertiary piano teachers from the larger Conservatoriums.

Adult Amateur Stream

Adult pianists who play for pure joy enjoyed high-quality instruction from supportive teachers in a relaxed and encouraging environment. Whether they had never pursued a professional musical career or were simply looking to reconnect with the love for the piano, daily workshops catered to all levels of playing, and no question went unanswered!

There were  entertaining afternoon blackboard soirees and three full-length evening concerts open to the public, all performed by the superb performer-teachers.

Participants enjoyed the autumnal colours in Armidale, soaked up the friendly, relaxed country atmosphere and became immersed in a piano-loving community, united by a passion for the piano, this marvelously expressive instrument and its extraordinary repertoire.

Pedagogy:            Studio Teachers, Classroom Music Teachers

Designed to provide professional development for studio teachers.

Options were available for full or half (morning) day enrolments.

Registration was 3pm on Wednesday 17 of April allowing time for travel and maybe some sightseeing: a chance to take in the beautiful Armidale autumn colours.

After registration was afternoon tea and networking with other piano teachers and participants in the adult amateur stream.

Thursday to Sunday from 9am to 11 am was seminars covering topics such as techniques and resources for teaching beginners, teaching neurodivergent children, developing student potential, teaching healthy piano technique and using Kodaly methods in the studio. Lecturers included:

• Samatha Coates (Blitz Books)
• James Cuskelly
• Bernadette Harvey

On Thursday after morning tea, Samantha Coates presented a seminar for parents and teachers. Following this, and directly after morning tea Friday to Sunday, participants observed either a masterclass of the intermediate or advanced streams or a workshop of either the beginners or juniors. Participants were able to witness different techniques across all levels of teaching or focus on an area of specialty.

• Tutors and teachers were:
  • Bernadette Harvey
  • Clemens Leske
  • Edward Neeman
  • Stephanie Neeman
  • Konstantin Shamray

After lunch (Thursday to Saturday) participants shared in a “Pedagogy Postcard” presented in the NECOM auditorium; a 20-minute intensive. Next observation and/or participate in a Kodály Workshop with James Cuskelly or a jazz piano workshop with Sharny Russell.

The day rounded out with the daily Blackboard Soirees were participants shared their passion and skill.

Thursday through Saturday offered an evening recital

At 1pm on Sunday, after the last seminar, there was a feedback and farewell session, finishing at 2pm.

Beginners & Juniors

The Beginner Stream welcomed primary-school aged students who had less than three years of formal piano lessons. The Junior Stream was designed for children and young teenagers who were working at AMEB Preliminary to Grade 4 level (or equivalent).

Registration was at 1pm on Wednesday 17 of April allowing time for travel and maybe some sightseeing. At 2pm saw participants take a guided tour of NECOM.

Thursday to Saturday mornings were filled with workshop activities (9am to 1pm). Working in groups of 12 – 14 the mornings will built performance presentation, aural skills and rhythmic coordination through:

• Orff Improv Group Class
• Movement/Dance Class
• Theory Group Class
• Kodaly Group Class with James Cuskelly
• Piano Class in groups of three to four

Beginners finished at 1pm each day.

Students in the junior stream had a one-to-one lesson between 2pm and 4pm on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

At 11:30am on Sunday there was the Final Concert. A chance for students to apply and share the learnings from the five days with family and friends. The morning started at 9:45 am with rehearsal. Final Concerts ran simultaneously with every beginner and junior students performing a solo piece in a supported environment. The Final Concert was followed by feedback and farewells, with the day, and the school, complete by 1pm.

Morning tea for the students was included each day. Parents and/or guardians were welcome to sit in on any of their children’s classes or there was be a space on site at NECOM to wait.

Intermediate & Advanced

The Intermediate Stream was for children and teenagers who are working at AMEB Grade 5 to 7 (or equivalent). The Advanced Stream was for teenagers and adults who were working at AMEB Grade 8 and above (or equivalent). Students in years 11 or 12 preparing for an HSC/VCE Performance exams, were encouraged to enrol in this stream.

Registration was at 2pm on Wednesday 17 of April allowing time for travel and maybe some sightseeing: a chance to take in the beautiful Armidale autumn colours. At 3pm there was a guided tour of NECOM.

Thursday to Sunday from 9 am until morning tea (11:00am) there were

• One-to-one lessons with either
  • Bernadette Harvey
  • Clemens Leske
  • Edward Neeman
  • Stephanie Neeman
  • Konstantin Shamray

• seminars covering topics such as techniques and resources for teaching beginners, teaching neurodivergent children, developing student potential, teaching healthy piano technique and using Kodaly methods in the studio. The lecturers were:
  • Samatha Coates (Blitz Books)
  • James Cuskelly
  • Bernadette Harvey

After morning tea (provided) masterclass were taught by Australia’s best piano tutors. Piano Tutors are:

• • Bernadette Harvey
  • Clemens Leske
  • Edward Neeman
  • Stephanie Neeman
  • Konstantin Shamray

After lunch (Thursday to Saturday) participants shared in a “Pedagogy Postcard” presented in the NECOM auditorium; a 20-minute intensive

This was followed up with further masterclass work and/or participation in a Kodály Workshop with James Cuskelly or a jazz piano workshop with Sharny Russell.

Next, afternoon tea (provided) and chance to chat and network.

Then participants shared their passion and skill and performed in the daily Blackboard Soirees.

At 1pm on Sunday, after the last seminar, there will be a feedback and farewell session, finishing at 2pm.

Adult Amateur

Designed for those who play for the sheer joy of music-making, older teenagers and adults playing at any level.

Registration was 3pm on Wednesday 17 of April allowing time for travel and maybe some sightseeing: a chance to take in the beautiful Armidale autumn colours.

After registration was afternoon tea and networking with other piano teachers and participants in the adult amateur stream.

Thursday to Sunday from 9am to 11 am:

• seminars covering topics such as techniques and resources for teaching beginners, teaching neurodivergent children, developing student potential, teaching healthy piano technique and using Kodaly methods in the studio. The lecturers were:
  • Samatha Coates (Blitz Books)
  • James Cuskelly
  • Bernadette Harvey
• one to one lesson
  • Bernadette Harvey
  • Clemens Leske
  • Edward Neeman
  • Stephanie Neeman
  • Konstantin Shamray
• drop-in workshops to work on a repertoire of your presentation. When not partaking, sit and observe fellow participants.
  • Piano Tutors are:
  • Bernadette Harvey
  • Clemens Leske
  • Edward Neeman
  • Stephanie Neeman
  • Konstantin Shamray

After lunch (Thursday to Saturday) participants shared in a “Pedagogy Postcard” presented in the NECOM auditorium; a 20-minute intensive.

This was followed up with further masterclass work and/or participation in a Kodály Workshop with James Cuskelly or a jazz piano workshop with Sharny Russell.

Next, afternoon tea (provided) and chance to chat and network.

The day rounded out with the daily Blackboard Soirees. An opportunity to perform or enjoy as an audience member passion and skill.

Thursday through Saturday, participants came back after dinner for the evening recital.

At 1pm on Sunday, after the last seminar, there was a feedback and farewell session, finishing at 2pm.

Where is Autumn Piano School Located?

Autumn Piano School will take place at the New England Conservatorium of Music, located in Armidale, NSW, 6 hours north of Sydney.

Is accommodation provided for the school period?

No, here are some options for accommodation in the Armidale Region: https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/stay

Is catering provided while attending Autumn Piano School?

No, participants will need to provide their own lunch while attending the school however a morning and afternoon tea will be provided to participants while on site.

Are bursaries or scholarships available to subsidise the cost of the school?

No, we are unable to offer scholarships or bursaries in 2024.

We hope for the Autumn Piano School to become an annual event, in future years we aim to seek philanthropic or funding support to enable us to be able to offer scholarships or bursaries.

Are concession prices available for school enrolments?

No, as courses are streamed into skill and age level groups, prices have been set with consideration toward concession and kept simple as a flat fee for each individual course.

Can I choose my one-to-one lesson teacher?

Enrol before 31 March and you will be able to nominate two preferred piano tutors and we will do our best to accommodate one of those options. There are still more tutors to announce. We will email everyone who has enrolled with the full list of tutors, once available, and ask for your preference)

Can I attend multiple streams at the same time?

You can only enrol in a single stream, if you are unsure which stream will be best suited to your needs please contact Jen Cramer, E: jen@pianoplus.com.au T: (02) 9241 3291

Does my enrolment guarantee me a place in the school program?

Yes, until the stream is full. Once a stream is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a place becomes available.

Can I participate in individual master classes but not enrol in the full three-day school program?

Unfortunately, due to the limited capacity of the master classes, they will be only open to participants who have enrolled in the full Autumn Piano School program.

When do enrolments close?

Enrolments close on 31 March unless streams capacities are reached before this date.

I have paid the 20% deposit of my fees, when is the full amount required to be paid?

The full enrolment fee must be paid no later than Friday 1 March 2024.

Will Autumn Piano School cater to people with access needs?

Yes, the Armidale Teachers’ College has disability access at the back of the building (South-East corner), and a disability toilet, both on the ground floor. There is also a stair lift to access the Auditorium and first-floor rooms. We ask that people let us know in advance if they will need assistance with accessibility and that they arrived at least 30 minutes before an event.

For all questions about the Autumn Piano School please phone Piano+ 0412 827 672 or email jen@pianoplus.com.au