Autumn Term 2022/23

Sunday 11 September, 3pm

Open Forum: New Year Resolutions (hosted by Anthony Williams)

Ambitions, hopes and a sharing of teaching ideas for the new academic year.
Bring your coffee/tea/something stronger and join us for a very informal sofa chat about piano teaching.

Sunday 25 September, 3pm

Talia Korol: Piano Teachers As Business Owners

Tips and Tricks for Growth and Management: EPTA Trustee Talia Korol shares how she grows and manages her busy music school by making use of creative class ideas, easy-to-use software, specific school policies and engaging with potential new students.

Sunday 2 October, 3pm

Tax Advice for Self Employed Piano Teachers

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) advice.

You may have heard rumours that we are all going to have to pay income tax using a third party interface software programme. You may also have heard that we are going to have to update accounts to the HMRC via this interface on a quarterly basis. Well it is true – we are. Presented by Gary Robinson, chartered tax accountant, working in Garforth. The first half of the session will cover what is expected to happen at the beginning of the new financial year 2023-2024 and an idea of what software programmes we should be looking for. A 30 minute Q&A session to follow.

The webinar is organised by EPTA North Yorkshire Regional Organiser Simon Burgess.

There will be a small fee of £5 to help cover costs. The booking link will become available shortly.

Sunday 9 October, 3pm

Melanie Spanswick: The Flexible Piano Technique

A presentation focusing on developing firmer fingers alongside a rich sonority, coupled with a relaxed upper torso.

Sunday 23 October, 3pm

Nancy Litten: Musicianship for Pianists

Using the piano to develop aural, harmony, sight singing and analysis skills.

In teaching the piano we have a wonderful tool at our disposal for developing musicianship in our pupils. This seminar considers the main musicianship skills to be developed in our pupils and why. It will explore how to use repertoire to develop awareness of patterns, repetitions and form. It will demonstrate how to make use of the instrument to improve sight singing (and thereby, sight reading), to recognise harmonic progressions, cadences, keys and modulations, and to develop aural ability. By playing these progressions themselves, pupils have a great advantage over those who play single line instruments; they are not dependent on their teacher for aural practice. I will also discuss how teachers can introduce pupils to musicianship from their very first lesson, and how they can provide written musicianship exercises for them. I have taught the piano for over fifty years and have become increasingly aware that it is not only the development of an instrumental skill but also a golden opportunity to develop all-round musicianship.

Sunday 6 November, 3pm

​Pamela Wedgwood (Faber): The Rusty Pianist

Pam introduces her upcoming publication Playable Pieces, the second in her latest piano series, The Rusty Pianist - an invaluable resource for teachers of returning players. This webinar will provide unique insights and musical demos from Pam herself.

Pam takes us through both books which aim to aid both returning pianists and adult learners from approximately Grade 3 to Grade 5 standard. The first book features ‘Rusty Reminders’ that serve as helpful teaching points, whilst offering expert advice on an array of original pieces and arrangements of well-known folk and classical pieces. These include Scarborough Fair, Chopin’s ‘Raindrop’ prelude, Beethoven’s Pathetique and many more. In this webinar, Pam gives you exclusive live demonstrations of a selection of pieces with advice on how to make the most of the books during lessons. The series encompasses a range of musical styles – from Latin and Romantic to Ballads and Blues - helping players and teachers to develop your repertoire further.

“Making the decision to regain your love for the piano will establish an enjoyable skill to use for the rest of your life. Think of it as a little piece of personal well-being and calm in this challenging world. That can’t be bad!” –Pam Wedgwood

Sunday 20 November, 3pm

Chris Stanbury (Casio): Teaching and Technology

Piano teacher and examiner Dr. Chris Stanbury shares a wealth of hints and tips on getting the very best from technology in your piano teaching studio. In his role as Casio UK's Product Specialist, Chris has helped many teachers with using computers, digital pianos and iPads when teaching face-to-face and online. 

Do you have a technical issue that you would like sorted? Any questions you may have relating to music technology or digital pianos are warmly welcomed, and can be emailed in advance to Chris at stanburyc //at// casio.co.uk. Amongst other topics, Chris will demonstrate how a digital piano can be used to motivate students to practice more efficiently and effectively, he will also share his favourite piano-based iPad apps and show you what is available online to help students and teachers with the cost of purchasing a digital piano.

Sunday 4 December, 3pm

Andrew Eales in conversation: The Music of William Gillock

Our final webinar of the 2022 season features pianist, educator, composer, editor and author Andrew Eales in conversation with EPTA Vice Chair Anthony Williams. Andrew will talk about his new publication of William Gillock repertoire, his "How to Practise" book and the philosophy behind and future of his successful website "Pianodao", ranked the world's number one piano blog for three successive years.

About the Series

April 2020 witnessed the first of what has immediately become an extremely popular EPTA UK event, almost an institution. Our two-weekly online webinars have attracted audiences of over 200 EPTA members, and we look forward to seeing more of you as the weeks go on. 

These stimulating and informative sessions feature distinguished teachers and performers talking passionately about areas of teaching close to their heart. For those of you who haven't experienced them, they are almost always 3pm every other Sunday. The subject matter varies hugely across the spectrum of teaching. 

If you come away with just one new idea, or it opens up thoughts about your own research, then it will have been time well spent. The diary is filling up quickly, and a quick glance at the sessions already planned will show the diversity of exciting presentations on offer. 

Don't miss out, register before the day (invitations will be sent to members the week before the webinar). As always, if you have a subject you would like addressed, have heard a presenter you think we would all love to hear, or even wish to present something yourself, please don't hesitate to get in touch.