The CAT offers tuition in keyboard instruments from a team of extremely experienced teachers, in a range of musical styles.
In addition to their individual instrumental lesson and music language classes, all keyboard students rehearse weekly in either a small ensemble (formed through close links with all other programmes) or as part of a weekly piano class. The piano class is an opportunity to perform and be taught in front of their colleagues, gives ensemble opportunities within the group and introduces a wide range of piano related topics. Most students enter for Associated Board music exams up to diploma level.
Pianists at the CAT benefit from truly outstanding masterclasses from some of the leading UK pianists; over recent years there have been frequent and returning visits from Vanessa Latarche (Professor and head of department at the Royal College of Music); Martin Roscoe (International pianist and Professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama); Ronan O’Hora (International concert pianist and head of the piano department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama); Janos Balasz, Cathy Krier and Christopher Park (ECHO Rising Stars); Katya Apikesheva; Mariam Batsashvilli; Alexandra Dariescu (Young Concert Artist Trust); and renowned Jazz Pianist Elliot Galvin.
Keyboard skills are a very valuable asset for any musician and many students whose first study is not piano are given the opportunity to take piano as a second study. Many of our second study pianists achieve success in the higher grades and enjoy the opportunity to play in our lunchtime concerts.
For those with an interest in jazz piano, we have a close link with our Popular and Contemporary Programme which provides further opportunity.
Key Information
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Applications close on Friday 21 April 2023.
Piano Team
- Study Leader: James Craig
- Venera Bojkova
- Nick Butters
- Edward Campbell Rowntree
- Kate Halsall
- Yoshie Kawamura
- Julia Kennard
- Antonina Lax
- Oona Prendiville
It was great to work with the students at Sage Gateshead, they were all very enthusiastic and committed to the work we did. It’s fantastic that an organisation like this actively seeks to educate students in new challenging ways of creating music
Elliot Galvin, Jazz Pianist and Composer
Information for Students
Timetables, auditions, and other useful information for current and prospective CAT students to help make the most of your learning experience.
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