Spring Piano School

Spring Piano School 2019 - Wednesday October 2 to Friday October 4

Spring Piano School returns to Glenfern in 2019 with a three-day event designed to help young piano students from ages 8 to 18 achieve their potential, irrespective of their level or background. The 2019 program provides a three day program of workshops, piano classes and individual lessons culminating in a concert for all students at which family and friends are invited to attend.

Read the Spring Piano School 2019 Brochure for further details of timetable, venue, requirements, prices and booking.

Teaching Staff for 2019

As well as Team of Pianists teachers- Darryl Coote and Robert Chamberlain - we are delighted to welcome two highly experienced guest teachers, both former students of Max Cooke, for the 2019 program! Prof Max Cooke OAM may also make a special guest teaching appearance.

Jennifer Jiaqi Lee - Pianist of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, founder and Managing Director of Shenzhen Jiaqi Education Consultancy Ltd, earned her her Bachelor’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) with first-class honours and her Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music (USA). She has performed as soloist and chamber musician in Australia, China, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom and Colombia. Now resident in Shenzhen, in China, she will bring her wide teaching and performing experience and youthful vitality to this year's Spring Piano School.

Betty Vergara-Pink, formerly Lecturer in Music at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the Musikhochschule Freiburg, Germany, returned to Australia a few years ago, and now works with selected promising local piano students, adjudicates and gives masterclasses. She brings both an Australian and a European perspective to the School and many years of working with young pianists.

About the 2019 Program

The 2019 Spring Piano School takes place from 9.30am to 5.00pm on Wednesday Oct 2, Thursday Oct 3 and Friday October 4, with a final recital for all students at 3.oopm on Friday October 4. There are approximately 30 places for primary school age students of all music exam levels aged between 8 and 18 years. Students take part in group classes covering many themes, they each receive three 30-minute individual lessons (value $150) with allocated staff members, and will enjoy world-class teaching in the historical 19^th century National Trust building Glenfern. Parents and friends are invited to attend the final recital by all students on the final day.

Piano Teachers Are Welcome Too!

Professional development places, for teachers or for parents, including lunch and certificate of attendance, are available for each day of the Program. Spring Piano School 2019 showcases a wide range of abilities and achievement levels, with contrasting and varied approaches from the teachers in a friendly environment. Teachers have found this to be a very stimulating program to attend and observe, see the 2019 Brochure for full details.

FOTOPS Sponsorships

Through its fundraising activities and membership fees, Friends of the Team of Pianists Inc. is able to provide a limited number of sponsorships for selected students in the Spring Piano School. Some may be offered before the start of the School on the recommendation of the selectors, whilst others will be awarded at the conclusion of the School, on the recommendation of the teachers with whom the students have worked. These sponsorships comprise a refund of part of the Spring Piano School 2019 tuition fee and may be awarded on the basis of helping with travel expenses, need, ability or encouragement.

Instrument Sponsors

Bernies Music Land, 381 Canterbury Road, Ringwood, Tel: (03) 9872 5122, is our valued instrumental sponsor, providing fine instruments by Bernstein, Schimmel and Roland.

Some Comments and Evaluations from the 2017 Spring Piano School

“I liked...the session on technique and the one on practice methods (using metronome and opposites). I liked how the sessions focussed on different types of things, such as technique, pedalling, dynamics, preparing for performance. I enjoyed the individual lessons because I received helpful feedback from the teachers.”

“I really enjoyed coming to the Spring Piano School and learning ways to improve my piano playing. I liked getting opinions from other teachers and meeting like-minded people. Thank you to all of the teachers (and helpers) for making this a positive experience!”

“I liked having four teachers who presented on different topics but still had consistent themes running through. It was good to have participation from the students in the sessions so that the concepts being presented could be demonstrated and practiced... it was a great experience, thank you very much!”

See a report about the 2015 Spring Piano School or visit the Past Events section for Brochures and Reports from Spring Piano School and other events between 2009 and 2013.