Following the 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, NSW from 14-17 April 2025.

In the 2025 edition, participants will enjoy an enriching experience filled with a range of daily workshops, seminars and masterclasses in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Students can also choose to have one-on-one lessons with teachers of their choice. They’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s most outstanding pedagogues 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, 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 (Orff Percussion), creativity (group composition class), aural skills (Kodaly-based musical 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.

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*The AMEB exam is not a mandatory requirement; it serves only as a guideline to indicate the appropriate level

AMEB* Grade 6+ / High-school aged students

For young pianists seeking to refine their skills and excel in examinations, the Senior Student Stream 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 and seminars focused on style, technique, and performance skills.

Participants will be scheduled to perform in up to 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.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)

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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 and seminars that focus on style, technique, and performance skills. Participants can elect to perform in up to 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.

Those in the Adult stream can attend any of the Pedagogy Seminars and can also  book one-to-one lessons.

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*The AMEB exam is not a mandatory requirement; it serves only as a guideline to indicate the appropriate level.

For Studio Piano Teachers

If you are a studio piano teacher, this stream is for you. 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 Clemens Leske and Coady Green, tertiary pianist-lecturers from Sydney Conservatorium’s and Melbourne University’s Piano Pedagogy courses. If you are an emerging teacher, this is an ideal chance to meet these teachers and explore your options for further study.  

You will have ample opportunity to observe masterclasses and workshops of your choice. A series of pedagogy seminars will focus on teaching strategies, practical tips and resources to inspire your students and develop your studio. You can also attend any of the seminars on Style, Technique, Performance Skills offered in the other streams.

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Seminar Topics includes:
– Preparing students for exams with Samuel Dharma.
– Managing a portfolio career with Jerry Wong
– Etudes for the Intermediate Student with Grace Kim.
– Memorisation Skills with Hamish Tait.
– Interpreting French Impressionism with Jerry Wong.

Teachers are encouraged to enrol with their students so that they’re able to sit-in on their students’ one-to-one lessons. Pedagogy Stream attendees are invited to attend networking events.

NEW in 2025!

This opportunity is offered by Piano+ and Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO).

Have you ever dreamed of 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 Orchestras’ (SYO) Peter Seymour Orchestra conducted by Stephen Williams.

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)

Send us your video
Once your video is complete, please upload it to an unpublished YouTube link and share the link with us via info@pianoplus.com.au

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.

If you win: You’ll have the opportunity to play a concerto accompanied by the SYO Peter Seymour Orchestra during the SYO 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.

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If you’re not ready to register yet because you have questions or would like more information about a specific stream, book a call with us and we’ll be happy to help

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Structure of Monday 14  to Wednesday 16 April 2025

Structure of Thursday 17 April 2025

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Pricing

Please note:

• Lessons for purchase are to be paid for in addition to the fee on an à la carte basis.
• Senior Stream and Adult Stream students can nominate up to five pieces to perform in the master classes, with a max of four pieces selected per student. Students can choose to present fewer pieces for the master classes and elect the Jazz Class instead.
• All participants are invited to attend the Showcase Concert for free.
• Junior, Senior and Adult Stream students can sign up to perform in the lunchtime recitals. All are welcome to attend the lunchtime recitals for free.
• The Networking Event is free and exclusive to the Adult and Pedagogy streams.
• The Concerto Opportunity does not incur any additional fee and is exclusively open to enrollees in the Senior Student stream.

Download the schedule of workshops and seminars here:

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 1 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