Piano Teaching in Action

August 18 to August 23 2025 at Chetham's International Piano School.

by Sally Cathcart

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Here in the UK the long summer break is tantalisingly close. With it comes the promise of time to relax, time to read, to play and to do nothing if that's what you want!

When I was a young, busy teacher, I cherished the opportunity the summer holidays gave me to recharge as a musician and to extend and deepen my teaching skills. I worked hard but didn't earn very much, so I was always grateful to people and organisations who gave me bursaries or grants. With their help, I had some truly inspirational experiences at summer schools.

This summer, I have the opportunity to pay back some of those favours as it's my turn to inspire others. I am delighted to be leading the Piano Teaching in Action course at the legendary Chetham's International Piano Summer School (CIPSS). Spanning from August 18th to August 23rd, 2025, the course has been specially designed for the Summer School and is quite distinct and different from the year-long CertPTC.

What can I expect?

The Piano Teaching in Action Course features five sessions each day. There's something for everyone on the course, whether you are an experienced, mid or early-career piano teacher. Each day, participants have the opportunity to deepen their pianism and expand their teaching skills, as guided by the PTC tutors. The Piano Teachers' Course ethos of music-making, collaboration, respect, enjoyment, and support will be at the heart of the week.

Here’s a glimpse of the programme.

Morning Musicianship Workshops:

Kick off each day with a 45-minute workshop that will help nurture your inner musician while equipping you with tools to share with your students.

• Tuesday - Keyboard harmony fun, including transposition and open score reading with Dr Sally Cathcart

• Wednesday - Developing sight reading skills with Jill Morton

• Thursday - Aural skills and listening with clarity and understanding with Dr Kris Worsley

• Friday - More keyboard harmony exploration with chords and chord progressions with Lucinda Mackworth Young.

Teaching Sessions:

This is followed by sessions that focus on various aspects of teaching the piano, featuring a mix of demonstrations, discussions, and guided reflection on selected lesson videos. The topics include:

• Building reliable reading skills in Elementary and Intermediate students with Sally Cathcart

• Engaging the imagination with Jill Morton

• Developing a holistic understanding of pieces with Kris Worsley

• Best practices for teaching adult students with Lucinda Mackworth-Young

  
  

Piano Teaching in Action:

After coffee there will be a creative teaching session led by each of the tutors. These workshops will concentrate on music from the Piano Teaching in Action repertoire list (available shortly before the course begins). Ranging from Elementary to Advanced level, all participants are encouraged to play at least one piece during the week. We appreciate that this can feel quite daunting, especially if you're feeling a bit rusty! But the focus will be on exploring the teaching aspects of the music rather than giving a performance.

Strategies and Techniques:

The afternoons delve into a diverse range of topics, including:

• Creative practice strategies with Jill Morton

• Developing the inner musician with Kris Worsley

• Creating a positive atmosphere with Lucinda Mackworth Young

• The feedback triangle with Sally Cathcart

These sessions encourage interactive participation and collaboration among the group.

Collaborative Music-Making:

Playing and teaching the piano can be a lonely business so each day culminates in a group music-making session, allowing participants to have fun playing duets, trios and other collaborative pieces. Bring your own music along to share and explore.

Embrace an Inspirational Learning Environment

CIPSS is renowned for its friendly and inclusive community, welcoming everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals. Located within the stunning grounds of the UK’s largest specialist music school in Manchester, participants will enjoy access to exceptional facilities, including over 130 pianos, practice rooms, and the magnificent Stoller Hall.

In addition to all the workshops and lectures on the teaching course, participants are also able to attend the lunchtime and evening recitals. Soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of CIPSS fosters collaboration and creativity, making it an ideal setting for a memorable and insightful learning experience. As an attendee, you’ll be surrounded by world-class musicians and educators, including Joanna MacGregor, Murray McLachlan, Peter Donohoe, Piers Lane and Charles Owen, amongst others.

You can immerse yourself in the world of the piano for the whole week, or a few days, or even a single day. It's completely up to you and what suits you best.

Why not give yourself a well-deserved boost and get your playing and teaching skills powered up for the term ahead?

How to book

Prices range from the full package for the week at £1,125 to single-day attendance at £165. There are lots of options in between, and please do email the course organiser, Kathryn Page, info@pianosummerschool.com, for any queries you have.

I hope to see you there! 

Sally xx