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.

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.

Register now

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)

Register now

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.

Register now

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.

Register now

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.

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.

Register now

Structure of Monday 14  to Wednesday 16 April 2025

Structure of Thursday 17 April 2025

Register now

Pricing

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.

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 2025.

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 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 Jay Byrnes, E: jay@pianoplus.com.au T: (02) 9241 3291

Does my registration 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. To secure your place, ensure your payment is made.

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 2025 unless streams capacities are reached before this date.

Can I pay in several installments?

This option is not available. The fee must be paid in a single payment.

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 conctact Jay Byrnes at Piano+  jay@pianoplus.com.au  T: (02) 9241 3291