Autumn Piano School 2025
Following the resounding success of the inaugural edition, Piano+ and the New England Conservatorium of Music are thrilled to present the second edition of the Autumn Piano School (APS) in 2025, once again in the beautiful setting of Armidale, from 14-17 April 2025.
In the 2025 edition, participants will enjoy an enriching experience filled with one-on-one lessons (optional), a range of daily workshops, seminars and masterclasses in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. They’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s top teachers and pianists, who will generously share insights from their international careers. The Autumn Piano School is a perfect platform for artistic growth, inspiration, and connection.
The Autumn Piano School 2025 is designed to accommodate pianists of every level through four different streams: Junior Student, Senior Student, Adult, and Pedagogy.
Junior Student Stream
Beginner to AMEB Grade 5, age 7 – 14 Years
For the beginner pianist and budding maestro’s, the Junior Student stream is the perfect place to learn new skills, build confidence, and create shared experiences.
Four different classes each morning focus on improvisation (Off Percussion), creativity (group composition class), aural skills (Kodaly-based games), and piano performance (a mini piano class with 3-4 students per class).
Students will be grouped by age and stage so that they can learn and socialise with their peers. During the afternoon, students can elect to book one-to-one lessons with APS faculty. Parents and/or guardians are welcome to sit in on any of their children’s classes.
Senior Student Stream
AMEB Grade 6+, age 12-17 years
For young pianists seeking to refine their skills and excel in examinations, the Senior Students Streams will challenge and inspire. Those thinking of studying music at tertiary level will have the opportunity to meet and learn from some of Australia’s leading tertiary piano teachers from the larger Conservatoriums. The program is designed around masterclasses and a range of workshops focused on style, technique, and performance skills delivered by the best tutors who will come to Armidale for the Autumn Piano School 2025.
Participants will be scheduled to perform in four masterclasses each, and can nominate their preferred classes based on repertoire, selecting from Baroque, Classical, 19th-Century, and 20th/21st-Century options; and/or participate in a Jazz piano workshop elective.There will be a possibility of purchasing a lesson with your favourite tutor, the best way to learn and to develop the skills of your choice.
NEW in 2025: Concerto Opportunity (see below)
Adult Stream
Age 18+, AMEB Grade 6+
Tertiary students and adult pianists can receive high-quality instruction from supportive teachers in a relaxed and encouraging environment. The Adult Stream provides a range of workshops that focus on style, technique, and performance skills. Participants will be scheduled to perform in four masterclasses each, and can nominate their preferred classes based on repertoire, selecting from Baroque, Classical, 19th-Century, and 20th/21st-Century options; and/or participate in a Jazz piano workshop elective.
Participants Those in the Adult stream can also attend any of the Pedagogy Seminars on offer and can also elect to book one-to-one lessons.
Pedagogy Stream
For Emerging Piano Teachers
If you are an emerging piano teacher, this stream is for you. You will learn from outstanding Australian pianists, piano pedagogues and music educators, and connect with your peers to share teaching experiences and tips.
The stream is led by tertiary pianist-lecturers from Sydney Conservatorium’s and Melbourne University’s Piano Pedagogy courses. The program is built around masterclasses and workshops observations of your choice and pedagogy seminars focusing on essential teaching strategies for music educators. It will help you get the tools to improve student learning and successfully manage your studios.
Pedagogy Seminars Program:
– Method books & repertoire for beginners with Coady Green.
– Aural & literacy skills for teaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, led by James Cuskelly.
– Preparing students for exams with Samuel Dharma.
– Developing a teaching studio and managing a portfolio career, also with Coady Green.
Teachers are encouraged to enrol with their students so that they’re able to sit-in on their students’ one-to-one lessons.
Concerto Opportunity
NEW in 2025!
This opportunity is offered by Piano+ and Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO).
Have you ever dreamed on being onstage accompanied by a symphony orchestra?
A selected senior student enrolled in the Autumn Piano School 2025 will be given the opportunity to perform one movement of a concerto from a preselected list, accompanied by the Sydney Youth Orchestra, conducted by James Pensini.
How to participate?
This opportunity is offered to pianists aged 12-18 years who have enrolled for the Senior Student stream. You’ll need to:
Select ONE piano movement in the list below:
-
- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1 Mvt. 1
- Grieg Piano Concerto Mvt. 1
- Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2 Mvt. 1
- Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 Mvt. 2
- Clara Schumann Piano Concerto Mvt.1 or Mvt.3
Record a landscape video (MP4 preferred) of you playing your chosen movement and follow these rules:
- The video must have been recorded between 17 July 2024 and 17 January 2025
- Only solo part or solo and orchestral reduction with a second piano will be accepted
- The video must be taken in one take (no editing)
When registering for Autumn Piano School 2025 through the online form, select the “Concerto Opportunity” option. Please be aware that you must pay your APS fee at the time of registration to be eligible for the Concerto Opportunity.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Application deadline: Applications will close on Friday 17 January 2025 at 5pm AEST.
Cost: There is no fee to participate. However, this opportunity is exclusively for participants who would have paid their APS 2025 fee at the time they register and submit their video.
If you win: You’ll have the chance to play a concerto accompanied by Sydney Youth Orchestra during their Armidale camp, 24-27 April. Make sure you’ll be available for these dates before applying. Travel cost to and from Armidale for non-locals and accommodation at the SYO orchestral camp will be covered. Private accommodation will be available but at your own cost.
Timetable and Pricing
Structure of Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 April 2025
Time |
Session |
Junior Student |
Senior Student |
Adult |
Pedagogy |
8:45am – 9:00 am | Roll call and briefing | ||||
9:00am – 10:30am | Session 1 (90 min) |
Round Robin | Master Classes | Master Classes | Observe Classes |
10:30am – 11:00 am | Morning Tea | ||||
11:00am – 12:00pm | Session 2 (60 -90min) |
Round Robin (until 12:30pm) |
Choice of Technique Workshop, Performance Workshop, Pedagogy Seminar or Private Lesson for Purchase | ||
12:00pm -1:30pm | Lunch (60min) |
FINISH | 12:45 – 13:20 Lunchtime Recitals | ||
1:30pm -3:00pm | Session 3 (90min) |
Private Lesson for Purchase | Master Classes | Master Classes | Observe Classes |
3:00pm – 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea | ||||
3:30pm -4:30pm | Session 4 (60 minutes) |
Private Lesson for Purchase | Choice of Technique Workshop, Performance Workshop, Pedagogy Seminar or Private Lesson for Purchase |
Structure of Thursday 17 April 2025
Time |
Session |
Junior Student |
Senior Student |
Adult |
Pedagogy |
8:45am – 9:00 am | Roll call and briefing | ||||
9:00am – 10:30am | Session 1 (90 minutes) |
Dress Rehearsals | Master Classes | Master Classes | Observe Classes |
10:30am – 11:00am | Morning Tea | ||||
11:00am -12:00am | Session 2 (60 minutes) |
Concerts | Choice of Technique Workshop, Performance Workshop, or Private Lesson for Purchase |
||
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch | FINISH | Lunch | ||
1:00pm -2:00pm | Session 3 (60 minutes) |
Concerts | Concerts | Invited to Concerts | |
2:00pm – 2:30pm | Farewell |
Pricing
Stream | Fee |
Junior Student | $275 |
Senior Student | $550 |
Adult | $770 |
Pedagogy | $330 |
Private Lesson for Purchase (30 min) | $75 |
Showcase Concert | Free for all enrollees |
Concerto Opportunity | Only for the Senior Student Stream. Free. |
Networking Event | Only for the Senior Student and Adult streams. Free. |
Please note:
- Lessons for purchase are to be paid for in addition to the fee on an à la carte basis.
- Senior Stream performs in 3 master classes, and Adult Stream performs in 5 master classes.
- All participants are invited to attend the Showcase Concert for free.
- The Networking Event is free and exclusive to the Senior and Adult streams.
- The Concerto Opportunity does not incur any additional fee and is exclusively open to enrollees in the Senior Student stream.