Piano Accompanist Training Program
Course Summary
📅 When: Sat night at 6:30 PM once per month
🕒 Duration: 90 minutes
💰 Cost: $100 per student per session
🎵 Suitable for: Piano students AMEB Grade 6+ with strong sight-reading
🎯 Goal: Learn to accompany violin, cello, flute or vocalists in a live setting
🤝 All performances are done in pairs — with either a violin, cello, flute or vocal student or another pianist. You don’t need to find your own partner — we’ll assign one for each piece.
Learning piano can often feel like a lonely journey — just you and your instrument, practising alone day after day. Unlike students who play violin or cello, pianists rarely have the chance to join an orchestra or ensemble, especially in the classical world. But music is meant to be shared.
If your child has reached the advanced level in piano and no longer feels motivated to pursue more exams, this is a perfect next step. Or maybe your child simply wants to connect with like-minded peers and play music together in a meaningful way.
Our Piano Accompanist Training Program invites students to step into the exciting world of collaboration — starting by accompanying fellow violin, cello, or vocal students. With guidance from our experienced teachers, they’ll begin to build real ensemble skills and learn the art of supportive, expressive piano playing.
Each month, we’ll release four pieces for students to prepare. Depending on their level and availability, students may choose to learn one, two, three or all four. On masterclass day, each student will be paired with an assigned partner — violin, cello, flute, vocal, or another pianist — and given a short rehearsal before performing the piece together in front of a small audience.
Each 90-minute masterclass is run by one of our experienced piano accompanist teachers, and includes:
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🎯 A short group introduction on sight-reading techniques and how to approach accompaniment
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👥 Collaborative performances by each pair of students
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🗣 Teacher feedback after each performance, focusing on ensemble awareness, balance, timing, and musical communication
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💡 Opportunities to learn by observing others and listening to feedback
There will be four student groups per session. If time allows, students may perform more than one piece — but everyone will perform at least one. We’ll also share the names and emails of the assigned students a few days beforehand, so they can connect and rehearse ahead of time if they’d like.
Join us — and discover a whole new world of music-making, friendship, and future opportunities beyond exams.
Who Is This For
This program is designed for strong intermediate to advanced piano students who have reached at least the equivalent of AMEB Grade 6 level — even if they haven’t taken exams. Participants must be confident sight-readers, as playing with other musicians often requires flexibility, quick adjustments, and the ability to “play on the go”. If you’re interested in joining, a short sight-reading test will be required before your first session.
Whether your goal is to become a professional collaborative pianist or simply to keep your piano skills alive through meaningful musical friendships, this program is an excellent pathway forward.
This Week’s 4 Repertoire Pieces
You’re welcome to learn 1 to 4 pieces based on your ability and availability. On masterclass day, you may be invited to perform more than one. At minimum, please prepare one piece that you know thoroughly — with enough familiarity for rubato and the flexibility to start confidently from any bar if needed.
👉 Sheet music is ready — feel free to download and dive in!
Piece 1 out of 4
This Session's Players
Below are the names and contact emails of all students participating in this session — including both pianists and instrumental/vocal players. Everyone listed here has passed the sight-reading test and is open to musical collaboration. You’re warmly encouraged to connect with anyone in your group — whether it’s for extra rehearsal with your assigned partner, trying out a piano duo, or even experimenting with a new piece just for fun.
Think of this as a mini music community: a place to meet like-minded players who share a similar level and are interested in creating something together. Who knows — this might be where your future chamber group or ensemble begins.