This article was published last month on Pianist Magazine’s website. Why should we perform? Many of us merely want to play the piano in private just for fun and most crucially, to ourselves. So when someone suggests a possible performance, whether in a formal or informal setting, we can feel terrified. What if we make…
Tag: Piano Courses
Teaching Observations: Piano Courses For Young Pianists
Over the past few years, several of my younger students have expressed a desire to participate in a summer course, and I’ve always been supportive of what I consider an extremely useful extracurricular activity. Those who have attended have invariably improved their playing, sometimes substantially. The opportunity to play regularly with new or different teachers…
Piano Workshops and Summer Adventures
I’ve come to the end of a very busy Summer. It has been stimulating and enjoyable on so many levels. It’s a privilege to travel to interesting parts of the world and I have met and worked with different piano students, teachers, and music lovers. Music courses, particularly piano courses, are thriving and I’ve written…
PIANO WEEK: What happens on a piano course?
Piano courses are becoming increasingly popular and it’s not hard to see why. They afford students the opportunity to meet like-minded new friends, enjoy excellent tuition, fine food, and a mini ‘holiday’. If the course happens to be situated in a beautiful place, so much the better. For the last two weeks I have been…
New Piano Courses at Finchcocks
I’m very fortunate to love my work and one particularly enjoyable aspect is the opportunity to direct piano courses and workshops. I’m writing this post whilst relaxing in my accommodation in Shropshire. It’s just a few miles from the Welsh border where I’m working for two weeks at PIANO WEEK. It’s an international piano festival…
Jackdaws Piano Course 2019
The Jackdaws Music Educational Trust instrumental and vocal courses are open for booking today. The 2018/19 programme offers more variety than ever, so there is sure to be something for everyone. The course venue, an attractive house in Somerset, near Frome, contains excellent facilities, including a Steinway Model B piano, and several practice rooms. If you…
The Inception and Development of PIANO WEEK: Samantha Ward
Today’s guest blog post has been written by British pianist Samantha Ward. Samantha is artistic director and founder of PIANO WEEK, a popular piano Summer school and festival intended for students of all ages to study the piano. This opportunity is available in various locations around the world. I was keen to ask her about…
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…
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…
A weekend at Jackdaws Music Education Trust
Tucked away down a country lane, just a few miles from Frome in Somerset (in the South West of the UK) is a music centre which has inspired generations of singers and instrumentalists. For many years, Jackdaws Music Education Trust has been providing weekend courses, educational events and performances for appreciative audiences and students. The…