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Inspiring CPD for Piano Teachers
Explore our programme of practical and creative professional development workshops designed to support piano teachers at every stage of their teaching journey.
Teaching Beyond Exams: Using exam resources holistically to motivate and develop confident, creative and musical pianists
Join us for our two-and-a-half day programme exploring fresh ideas, practical strategies and new perspectives on piano teaching at The Purcell School of Music, Bushey, from 23rd - 25th October 2026.
Designed for piano teachers who want to use examination resources as part of a broader approach to musical development, these workshops explore how exam material can support pupils on their journey towards becoming confident, creative and independent musicians. Discover how the resources within examination syllabuses can be woven naturally into teaching, helping pupils develop as complete musicians from beginner stages through to advanced study.
Attend in person (recommended) or online. Book anything from a half-day session to the full programme. Residential places, including accommodation and all meals, are available for participants attending two or more days of the programme.
Our programme is continuing to grow, and a more detailed timetable will be announced over the coming days. All our tutors are highly experienced teachers and experts in their own field. Each tutor will deliver a half-day of workshops.
Tutors and workshop overview
Joanna Garcia
Joanna always brings wonderfully creative approaches to teaching repertoire that inspire pupils’ imagination and deepen their connection with the music they play. Drawing on her experience as an innovative and perceptive teacher, Joanna will share practical ideas for using imagery, storytelling and exploration to develop interpretation, musical communication and confidence. These sessions will demonstrate how repertoire from examination syllabuses can become a springboard for holistic learning and help pupils develop as thoughtful, independent musicians.
Lucinda Mackworth-Young
Explore practical ways to help pupils become confident, independent musicians who can play without relying on the printed score, liberating them to play on any piano anywhere. Drawing on the harmonic language found in Trinity improvisation, LCM Keyboard Harmony, ABRSM and other boards’ repertoire, Lucinda will demonstrate how easy it is to teach pupils to play without notation - improvising and accompanying well-known songs.
Jill Morton
Discover the wealth of repertoire available across different examination syllabuses, including alternative lists, and how thoughtful repertoire choices can motivate and help to shape pupils' musical development. Drawing on her extensive experience as both a pianist and teacher, Jill will share practical ideas for selecting, teaching and bringing pieces to life, helping teachers use repertoire to develop technique, interpretation and expressive, confident playing.
Ilga Pitkevica
Ilga will demonstrate how technical work can be transformed into expressive, musical playing. These sessions compare the requirements of different examination boards while demonstrating effective approaches to developing technique. Alongside this, Ilga will investigate how pupils can deepen their musical communication and stylistic understanding, enabling them to perform repertoire, whether Classical or Romantic with greater confidence, imagination and artistry.
Kris Worsley
Discover practical ways to use the aural and musicianship elements found across different examination syllabuses to develop pupils' listening skills, musical understanding and confidence. Drawing on Kris’s expertise in Kodály principles, ear training, harmony and musicianship, these sessions will demonstrate how often-overlooked areas of exam preparation can become a springboard for richer musical learning rather than simply another requirement to complete. Through practical, engaging activities, Kris will share ideas that can be woven naturally into lessons, helping pupils develop their listening skills and become more confident and independent.
Find out more about our tutors here.
More information about the workshop content will be available soon.
These workshops are suitable for all teachers, whether you are just starting out or have years of experience. If you are looking for renewed inspiration or an energising refresher for your teaching, these one-day events will leave you feeling invigorated and provide dozens of new ideas for lessons.
Attend in person or online
We recommend attending in person at The Purcell School of Music wherever possible, as this provides the full workshop experience, including opportunities to connect with other teachers and continue conversations beyond the sessions. Find out more about the venue here.
For those unable to travel to Bushey, online attendance is available, making these workshops accessible to teachers worldwide. Online attendees will be able to participate live and benefit from the same expert teaching and practical ideas, wherever they are based.
Residential places at The Purcell School are available for teachers who wish to make the most of this immersive CPD experience.
Booking options and prices
Choose the option that works best for you — from a single half-day workshop to the full programme.
Attend in person at The Purcell School of Music
Half-day workshop
£80
One-day workshop
£150
One-and-a-half-day programme (Friday plus Saturday or Sunday) £225
Two-day programme (Saturday and Sunday)
£290
Full programme (Friday to Sunday)
£360
Attend online
Half-day workshop
£50
One-day workshop
£95
One-and-a-half-day programme (Friday plus Saturday or Sunday) £140
Two-day programme (Saturday and Sunday)
£180
Full programme (Friday to Sunday)
£225
Unable to attend live?
A recording option is available for those who cannot attend the workshops live.
Recordings will be available to watch for six weeks following the event, allowing you time to revisit the sessions at your own pace.
Please note that recordings are not included with live online attendance.
Residential option
Make the most of the full programme experience by staying at The Purcell School.
Accommodation is available at an additional cost for those attending the two or more days:
Dinner, bed and breakfast: £50 per night
Lunch: £12 per day
Please note that accommodation and catering costs are fixed and are not included in tuition discounts.
Discounts
We offer discounts on tuition fees for those booking the full two-and-a-half-day programme:
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PTC alumni: 20% discount
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Members of associated organisations: 15% discount
Discounts apply to tuition fees only and cannot be applied to accommodation, dinner or lunch.
Credit towards a longer PTC course
If you enrol on the Foundation Piano Teachers’ Course, Cert PTC or Advanced Piano Teachers’ Course within one year of attending, you can claim 50% of your workshop tuition fee towards your course fees (up to a maximum credit of £100).
CPD Library
Explore recordings of previous PTC workshops and continue your professional development at a time that suits you. Please contact us to find out how to purchase access.
2026 CPD Workshops
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2025 CPD Workshops
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About the Guest Lecturers
Graham Fitch
Graham Fitch maintains an international reputation as a pianist, teacher, workshop leader and writer. Graham is a regular writer for Pianist Magazine, and has many video demonstrations on the magazine’s YouTube channel. Graham runs a busy private practice in London, and counts among his long-term students Daniel Grimwood, James Baillieu, and Gemma Webster - with many others active in the profession. In addition to teaching talented youngsters and working with professional pianists and piano teachers, Graham is very interested in helping amateur pianists develop their playing.
Graham is a guest tutor on The Piano Teachers’ Course UK and is also a tutor at the Summer School for Pianists at Stowe, and gives sell-out courses at Finchcocks throughout the year, as well as courses in Blonay, Switzerland, three times a year. Graham has published an ebook series based on his popular blog, www.practisingthepiano.com, and curates a considerable library of written and video content by himself and other contributors on his website, the Online Academy. He is presently co-authoring two chapters for the upcoming Oxford Handbook of Piano Pedagogy.
Website: www.grahamfitch.com
Roberta Wolff
Roberta Wolff is a pianist, educator, coach, and speaker whose work bridges performance, teaching, leadership, and professional development. She is the module leader for the PGCert in Performance Teaching at Guildhall School and she mentors staff through the Catalyst programme. As a freelancer, Roberta supports musicians and educators in deepening artistic confidence, refining facilitation skills, and strengthening professional identity. Her approach is grounded in reflective practice and attuned to the subtle, relational dimensions of teaching and learning. She delivers sector-wide workshops, and offers coaching and mentoring for instrumental teachers, portfolio professionals, and education leaders. Across all her work, she offers a thoughtful, research-informed approach grounded in a deep understanding of the personal and professional dimensions of a life in music.
Andrew Eales
Andrew Eales is one of the UK’s leading piano educators, with over thirty years’ experience running a successful teaching practice in Milton Keynes. He works with students of all ages and levels, from beginners to diploma candidates. He is a published composer, with works featured in ABRSM and LCM syllabuses, and the author of How to Practise Music, published worldwide by Hal Leonard, for whom he has also compiled several piano anthologies, including The Joy of Graded Piano series. His piano education website Pianodao is widely appreciated, with many thousands of subscribers from all around the world.