Carola Grindea, a pupil of renowned pianist Tobias Matthay, was teaching as a professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama when she started her lecture series, ‘The Techniques of Piano Teaching’. At that time, the study of piano pedagogy was still in its infancy. In 1978, inspired by piano teachers’ groups in the US, the European String Teachers’ Association and the support of several eminent musicians, Grindea founded the European Piano Teachers’ Association, UK (EPTA UK). Today EPTA has associations in almost every European country, and holds an international conference in a different country each year. Happily, Grindea's daughter Nadia Lasserson is a firm supporter.
EPTA UK's purpose is to raise the standard of piano teaching, piano performance, and general musicianship by providing opportunities for pianists, piano teachers, and other interested parties. It does this at national and local level via concerts, workshops, conferences, seminars, masterclasses, competitions, a professional magazine and other publications, bursaries and awards, and by providing courses and other CPD opportunities.
Chair of EPTA UK, Murray McLachlan
My experience of EPTA began when I started piano teaching after being a music class teacher in secondary schools. Despite being a music graduate, the only piano teaching method I knew was from how my piano teachers had taught me, and I was very much feeling my way with half a dozen beginner pupils. Luckily for me, my local EPTA branch in Southend, Essex, was run by the very kind and experienced piano teacher Honor Jackson. She opened up her home and provided the kindest counsel along with delicious refreshments. She ran workshops, hired speakers, and set up concerts and competitions for us and our pupils. Through these exchanges I made many friends, and learned from her and the other expert teachers there. Today, the chair of EPTA UK, Murray McLachlan, describes the aim of the association as: ‘A quest to make all piano teachers welcome and supported. The charity seeks to help teachers, pupils and piano enthusiasts from every part of the music community.’
EPTA UK's organising committee reads like a who's who of the British piano scene: its president is Piers Lane, with joint vice presidents Philip Fowke and Fanny Waterman, plus joint patrons Angela Hewitt and Peter Donohoe. McLachlan is chair of the management committee with Melvyn Cooper as vice chair, and there are regional committees and events all round the UK.
McLachlan presents to EPTA members
There are many benefits to EPTA membership, including public liability insurance, several printed teaching resources and a regular professional magazine. ‘Piano teaching can be a lonely profession, but EPTA has provided support, inspiration, a sense of community, and tremendous encouragement over four decades,’ says McLachlan. ‘Whether you are teaching beginners, working with teenagers, adults, or at a specialist music school or conservatoire, EPTA is there for you.’
In 2018, its 40th year, EPTA has announced a number of events and exciting initiatives:
- 15 November 2018
Angela Hewitt masterclass, Kings Place, London
Angela Hewitt will coach four talented young pianists, one of whom is the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2018 winner, Lauren Zhang (see pages 21-22). - January 2019
A new ABRSM-EPTA course for piano teachers
‘This will offer tremendous support and information not only for those aiming to enter piano teaching diplomas, but also for teachers looking for fresh ideas, continued professional development and interaction with colleagues,’ says McLachlan.
There are many other exciting plans and projects such as EPTA diplomas, including a special ‘Early Years pre-piano lesson’ course with Karen Marshall, and CPD EPTA Teacher Development Days across the UK. ‘Above all’, says McLachlan, ‘EPTA UK is passionately committed to offering the best quality CPD to piano teachers at the most economical costs. We are a charity and passionately strive to give as much as we can to piano teachers – without charging expensive fees.’
Visit epta-uk.org for more information.
