The knowledge behind
better teaching.
Ten weeks of synchronous online learning in piano pedagogy. Learn live with your lecturers and fellow teachers, ask questions and get feedback as you work towards MTA accreditation and prepare for CTMusA or ATMusA.
$4,400 including GST · Enrolments close when the cohort is full.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The student. The music. The studio.
1
Foundations of teaching and learning
Learning, motivation and development
Your personal teaching philosophy
Planning, sequencing and scaffolding
Inclusive and reflective teaching
2
Piano pedagogy in practice
Method books, reading, rhythm and aural skills
Technique, sound and interpretation
Repertoire selection and sequencing
Diagnosing musical and technical challenges
3
Business and professional practice
Studio policies and administration
Student interviews, intake and transfers
Business planning, marketing and communication
Ethics and child-safe practice
AT THE PIANO
Bring the ideas into the lesson.
The two-day in-service connects the course material with practical demonstration, discussion and application at the piano.
Hear how experienced teachers approach the musical and technical problems you meet in your own studio.
Exactly what you will receive.
Live online teaching
Included: 25 hours over ten weeks
How you use it: Learn with your lecturers and fellow teachers. Ask questions and take part in discussion.
Practical in-service
Included: 14 hours over two days
How you use it: Demonstration and application at the piano in Sydney.
Individual attention
Included: 1 hour
How you use it: A personal lesson, review or advice hour.
Founding-cohort tutorials
Included: 10 extra group hours
How you use it: A one-off allocation for assignments, teaching questions and diploma preparation.
Assessment and feedback
Included: Six examined projects
How you use it: Written feedback and one resubmission for each examined project.
Course materials
Included: Released progressively
How you use it: Reading, practical tasks and assessment preparation throughout the course.
Allow around three hours a week for independent reading and assessment preparation, with more time when projects are due. The final timetable will be supplied before enrolment.
WORK YOU CAN USE
Evidence you can show.
Ten project areas, including an optional capstone. Six projects are examined, with written feedback and one resubmission included for each examined project.
1
Teaching philosophy
Clarify the beliefs and goals behind your teaching.
2
Method book review
Compare how beginner methods introduce and sequence skills.
3
Programming
Create a purposeful sequence of repertoire, skills and learning activities.
4
Teaching and assessing a piece
Analyse repertoire, identify challenges and evaluate performance.
5
Video lesson submission
Record your teaching, assess its effectiveness and explain your decisions.
6
Pedagogy study
Investigate educational principles and their application to teaching problems.
7
Reflective journal
Track what you try, what changes and what you learn from feedback.
8
Viva voce
Explain and defend your teaching choices in discussion.
9
Studio policy handbook
Create policies for an ethical, sustainable teaching studio.
10
Capstone · optional extension
Bring prescribed reading together in summaries and reviews.
Your pathway to MTA accreditation.
The course develops the pedagogical, professional and business-practice evidence needed for your application. See all seven domains and the qualifications you will need to demonstrate.
CTMusA & ATMusA PREPARATION
Work once.
Take it further.
SUBSTANTIAL OVERLAP
Up to 80% of your teaching-qualification preparation.
The course is designed to cover up to 80% of the content and preparation for CTMusA and ATMusA. Some of that work can be developed during the course and the one-off ten extra hours of group tutorials.
“Up to 80%” is IMPA’s estimate of content and preparation overlap. It is not AMEB credit or an exemption, and individual preparation needs vary.
CTMusA is AMEB’s Certificate Teacher of Music Australia. ATMusA is the Associate Teacher of Music Australia. The comparison below shows how course projects can support their written, reflective and practical requirements.
Teaching philosophy
CTMusA preparation: II B · Engaging students as learners — partial
ATMusA preparation: Related reflective preparation; see journal below
Method book review
CTMusA preparation: No direct counterpart
ATMusA preparation: I B · Literature review — related; prescribed reading still required
Programming
CTMusA preparation: I B · Designing my lessons — partial
ATMusA preparation: I A · Lesson plans, strategies and assessment — direct preparation
Teaching and assessing a piece
CTMusA preparation: I A / I B · Examination process and lesson design — related
ATMusA preparation: I A · Lesson plans and assessment — partial
Video lesson submission
CTMusA preparation: III A · Teaching demonstration — direct preparation
ATMusA preparation: II A · Self-reflection and the teaching process — direct preparation
Pedagogy study
CTMusA preparation: II A · Teaching effectively and case studies — direct preparation
ATMusA preparation: Related preparation; task-specific evidence needed
Reflective journal
CTMusA preparation: Related preparation
ATMusA preparation: II B · Reflective journal — direct preparation
Viva voce
CTMusA preparation: III A / B · Viva — rehearsal
ATMusA preparation: III A / B · Viva — rehearsal
Studio policy handbook
CTMusA preparation: No direct counterpart
ATMusA preparation: No direct counterpart
Capstone · optional extension
CTMusA preparation: Prescribed reading and folio preparation — related
ATMusA preparation: I B · Literature review — related
Direct preparation: closely aligned work, adapted to the AMEB task. Partial: a useful foundation with additional requirements. Related: relevant knowledge or skills. Rehearsal: practice for a separately assessed component.
Use the extra tutorials.
Discuss how your course work fits the qualification you are pursuing.
Develop lesson plans, reflection and prescribed-reading work.
Ask questions, work through feedback and plan what remains.
Complete the AMEB requirements.
You still need to meet the current syllabus, prepare each required submission and pass the AMEB assessments.
Live performance, teaching demonstrations and AMEB viva requirements remain separately assessed. Examination fees are additional.
Before you enrol.
Who is the course for?
Currently teaching piano, or holding Grade 8 practical and Grade 6 theory or musicianship (or equivalent), or working towards or close to those grades. We can help you obtain a Working With Children Check.
Do I need to attend in Sydney?
The practical in-service is held in Sydney. Teachers within 100 km of Sydney are expected to attend in person. If travel is impossible, discuss an agreed remote alternative before enrolling.
Are there recordings?
Weekly teaching is live and interactive. Recordings are available for seven days for occasional catch-up.
What is paid separately?
MTA membership and accreditation fees, AMEB examination fees, travel and accommodation are separate from the IMPA course fee.
Take the next step and upgrade
your teaching practice today.
$4,400 including GST. Enrolments close when the cohort is full.
Check your eligibility, request the course catalogue or chat with us.