• Course Dates
    June 26, 2026 6:30 pm –
    June 28, 2026 4:00 pm
  • Observer Pass
    June 27, 2026
    11:00 am - 1:00 pm

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Level: All
Fee: £360

The Piano Teacher’s Survival Guide

with Anthony Williams

Whether you are completely new to piano teaching, a more experienced teacher looking for some new and refreshing ideas, or simply looking to share and discuss your teaching experiences and ideas with others, this is the weekend for you. It is essentially a support group for piano teachers led by Anthony Williams, author of the best selling and highly acclaimed book on piano teaching The Piano Teachers’ Survival Guide, renowned for putting communication, creativity and imagination at the heart of every lesson

The weekend will cover everything from the very first lesson to mastering advanced technique and inspiring an imaginative and confident performance. We’ll discuss new and inspiring ideas that will enrich every lesson, and revisit and explain familiar strategies that can nurture and support students at every level and will help give your pupils a life-long love of the piano.

Amidst this too (should you wish) will be a chance to perform your favourite repertoire, anything from very early learning (complete beginner) pieces to advanced repertoire, ask questions about your own playing, or we can use this repertoire as the basis for discussing fresh new ideas on how to approach the technical challenges, on interpretation, have a broader discussion on the philosophy and art of teaching at all levels.

Do come and join us! The more the merrier.

We asked our course leaders to answer a few questions about their course and teaching:

  1. To discover a new energy, new ideas and imaginative strategies to refresh and inspire their own teaching.
  2. To be able to share ideas and thoughts about their own teaching/pupils in a supportive and like-minded group of teachers.
  3. To acquire an increased confidence and self-belief in their teaching.

“I love working with amateur singers because they bring considerable enthusiasm and commitment to the work. It is also very rewarding for us to see their progress over a comparatively short time. And to see THEM  registering that they have made significant progress.”

“My teaching style is based entirely around communication; a love of sound, harmony and music to bring the notes off the page and using music as a means of telling an audience something about our own feelings and thoughts.”

“My hobbies outside of music are Flying Radio Controlled Airplanes and Beekeeping!”

Some course feedback:

It was very enjoyable and great to meet and play with other musicians. Anthony was superb, he brought lots of varied music and was very encouraging, patient, diplomatic, enthusiastic and informative.

I felt completely involved in the whole weekend. Anthony was very patient and accommodating and a great teacher, remaining positive throughout.

Read more about what participants say about Jackdaws Courses.

A £100 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.

You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.

Details Price Qty
Attendee - Deposit £100.00 GBP  
Observer Pass £10.00 GBP  

Venue:  

Venue Phone: 01373 812383

Address:
Jackdaws Music Education Trust, Great Elm, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3NY, United Kingdom

Description:

Course Information

Is this Course right for me?

The answer is probably yes as we welcome musicians of all abilities and backgrounds on our courses but if you would like to find out more before you book please read about our course levels, or email or call our office manager Karolyn on 01373 812 383 / music@jackdaws.org and she will be able to offer further guidance.

If you are still unsure then maybe consider one of our “Try before you buy” Observer Passes which enable you to come and see one session in action.

Full Observer places may also be bookable for a whole weekend subject to availability. Call / email the office for more information.

Please see our General Course Information pages for further details and schedule information.

Our Courses are for adult musicians (except where stated) and take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, near Frome in Somerset. The Course Fee includes all tuition, meals and refreshments at Jackdaws. Courses take place in the main studio, with Steinway piano, and generally follow a masterclass format. There are several practice rooms here, too.

Repertoire

For Voice, Piano & Wind courses; participants are usually requested to prepare 2 – 3 pieces in advance. We will ask you to provide a repertoire list for the tutor (& accompanist) ahead of the course.

For Ensemble courses; direction will be given by the course leaders.

Accommodation

If you require B&B, we can arrange that for you; accommodation fees are payable in addition to the course fee.

Meals and Refreshments

Lunch, Supper and morning/afternoon refreshments will be prepared on site by our dedicated Cooks.  If you are vegetarian/vegan, or have a food allergy, you must let us know in advance, so that our cooks can plan the meals for the weekend accordingly. We are ‘allergy aware’, but we rely on participants letting us know if they have specific food allergies. Please also let us know if you carry any emergency medication.

By booking onto a Jackdaws course you agree to abide by our Terms and Conditions and understand the Privacy Policy regarding our handling of your data.