NEWS & EVENTS
This page includes both forthcoming and past events, as well as recent interviews. It also provides information about publications, compositions, and workshops. You will find details on adjudicating, presentations, reviews, as well as holiday and celebratory posts.
2017 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition
On Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity to sit on the jury of the 2017 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition. Organised by the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe, the competition is held every year and proffers young pianists the chance to perform a programme built entirely from the German Master’s extraordinary output. Each participant attends…
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: A trip down memory lane
As Christmas is upon us once more, I thought it might be worthwhile revisiting my top 8 most popular blog posts of 2016. So here they are in order of popularity. I hope you have found my musings and teaching tips useful. If there’s a topic I haven’t yet covered, please get in touch if…
Overseas Masters Winter Piano Academy 2016
I ended a busy year with two days of classes at the Yehudi Menuhin School last week, teaching on the Overseas Masters Winter Piano Academy. I love giving these classes and have done so on several previous occasions in 2012 and 2014, because the academy runs every other year. Malaysian pianist Bobby Chen organises the…
The Faber Music Piano Anthology
In 2016 I was invited to compile a new anthology for leading UK music publisher Faber Music. This hefty volume is designed to be a gift book for anyone who enjoys playing, or who fancies exploring, a large and varied collection of piano works. The volume was first available in a luxury hardback edition featuring…
A Weekend at Jackdaws Music Education Trust
I had the pleasure of tutoring a second piano course at Jackdaws Music Education Trust over the weekend. Jackdaws offer residential and one-day instrumental and vocal courses. They also provide various education projects and a Young Artists Programme. Additionally, there are performances by world-class musicians. Piano courses are becoming increasingly popular. This includes weekend courses…
The Chicago Amateur Piano Competition
Love them or loathe them, piano competitions are more popular than ever before and there are no shortage of entrants, irrespective of standard or ability. And subjective as they are, piano contests can fire the imagination, motivating players to reach new heights in their quest for keyboard perfection. For a professional pianist a competition has…
Meet the Judges Live Stream Interview
This week I’m in Chicago adjudicating at the Chicago Amateur Piano Competition. Judging starts today but this competition offers an impressive events roster, a fairly unique concept amongst competitions, which runs in tandem, therefore proceedings actually started last night. Fifty-five talented pianists will play a short programme over the next two days. The finals will…
Jackdaws Piano Course 2016
My piano course at Jackdaws Music Education Trust will be held in October this year and bookings open today. This is my second visit to Jackdaws and I’m very much forward to it. Jackdaws has a wonderful history and tradition, and is renowned for its instrumental and vocal courses, education projects, young artists programme, and performances…
So You Want To Play The Piano?
I’ve made a short video linked below, describing my book So You Want To Play The Piano? and why it might be a useful addition to any prospective piano students library. It may also interest parents. It may also be beneficial for those who already play or are self-taught, and could even be a helpful…
Musica Nova Stars of the Albion Competition 2016
The Musica Nova Russian-British Music Academy has been a thriving music education establishment for many years. Situated in London, it was founded by Russian pianist, singer, teacher, composer and educator Evgenia Terentieva, who is also the CEO. Evgenia’s academy offers a broad spectrum of music tuition from instrumental lessons to one day intensive courses, plus…
Peregrine’s Pianos presents a visit to the Schimmel Factory
Peregrine’s Pianos is organising a visit to the Schimmel Factory which will take place on Thursday 21st April 2016. Situated in Grays Inn Road, Central London, Peregrine’s Pianos is the exclusive dealer in London for Schimmel Pianos and also for August Förster instruments. The first visit to the Schimmel Piano Factory in Germany was arranged…
Piano Waves: 5 Piano Pieces
Piano Waves consists of 5 pieces intended for intermediate level, which is around Grade 4-6 of ABRSM, Trinity College, or London College of Music examination board levels. With a hint of minimalism, Piano Waves lie comfortably under the hands for pupils. Inspired by my adventures at sea, when I spent many years giving piano recitals…