08 May 2025
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If you’ve ever considered attending a residential piano course but perhaps thought: What if I’m not good enough? What if everyone else is amazing? What if I feel lonely, or don’t make friends? What if I’m too nervous to perform? – then read on, as we feature 10 of the best piano courses in the UK and beyond
(by alphabetical order)
Residential and day music courses for students of all levels at a beautiful purpose-built campus in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Tutors include Lucinda Mackworth-Young, Timothy Barratt, Tim Richards and Paul Harris. Courses this year include Chopin and the Romantic Era, Jazz Piano, Blues Piano Basics, Accompaniment to Silent Film, How to be a Top Teacher, Late Starter Piano, and Spontaneous Social Piano.
Chetham’s International Piano Summer School
Chetham’s International Piano Summer School was founded by virtuoso performer and educator Murray McLachlan. His pianist wife Kathryn Page, a Pianist magazine regular contributor, is the main organiser. It is the largest course of its kind in Europe. In 2025 it runs from August 13-23, and this year teachers include Anna Tsybuleva and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko – both winners of the Leeds International Piano Competition – as well as Steven Osborne, Joanna MacGregor, Freddy Kempff and Peter Donohoe. New courses this year include Music Technology and a late-night jazz room for informal performances.
An animated Noriko Nogawa offering advice to a student at Chet's:
© Helen Tabor
Since 2018, Finchcocks has hosted weekend and week-long courses all year, for up to eight people, and for all levels. Courses include: Creating Confidence, Enjoying Sight-reading, The Foundations of Effective Practice and Performance, and lots more. (Note: Courses are known to sell out fast!) It all takes place in a dreamy Georgian manor house which was built in 1725 and which is thus marking a tercentenary this year. It was set up by Neil and Harriet Nichols, a businessman and vet respectively, shortly after they moved to the house. As an extra incentive, food is provided by a chef who trained at The Ivy and who worked under Raymond Blanc.
Graham Fitch addressinf a technical issue at Finchcocks:
Founded in 1993 by mezzo-soprano Maureen Lehane at her home near Frome, Somerset, Jackdaws Music Education Trust offers year-round weekend courses for pianists – children and adults – at all levels and in a friendly atmosphere. There are many interesting courses to choose from, including Piano Summer School (pick your level) by regular Pianist contributor Mark Tanner. Courses also include jazz, accompanying and duet playing.
Elena Riu observing her student at Jackdaws:
London Piano Meetup Group
The group hosts regular informal performance platforms and social events for adult pianists in London, as well as one-day courses/workshops with visiting tutors, including the very popular Diploma Day with Graham Fitch and Frances Wilson. It is run via an email mailing list and Facebook group.
Amid the dreaming spires of Oxford, the Oxford Piano Festival returns at the end of July, its 26th year, with another feast of performances by some of the world’s greatest pianists, punctuated by masterclasses featuring future stars of the instrument. Masterclasses this year by Ashley Wass, Kathryn Stott, Rustem Hayroudinoff, Stephen Kovacevich, Arie Vardie, Stanislav Ioudenitch and Marios Papadopoulos, artistic director of the Festival. Participant requirements: For advanced piano students of at least Diploma level, of all nationalities, born or after 26 July 1998. Read our blog about the Oxford Piano Festival.
John Lill offers his musical words of wisdom at Oxford Piano Festival:
Designed for advanced amateur pianists, students, piano teachers and professional pianists wanting an opportunity to dive into intensive study of their chosen repertoire. Learning is in masterclass format for a maximum of eight pianists and is ideal for anyone who wants to free their playing from tension and performance nerves, all within a friendly, homely and supportive environment. Tutor: Charlotte Tomlinson.
Piano Week was founded in 2013 by pianist Samantha Ward, and this year takes place at Dulwich College in London (July 14-19) and at Rugby School (July 20-August 3). Entirely non-selective, for both children and adults, the aim is to be as non-stressful and friendly as possible – although, as Samantha says, if you’d like it to be a boot-camp, it can be that too. Fans of Samantha Ward will be glad to hear of her new webinar series for Pianist. Find out more by signing up to the Pianist newsletter.
Happy students at PIANO WEEK:
This popular and long-standing summer school is now based at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. All-Steinway facilities with stunning architecture set in National Trust gardens. Friendly, supportive atmosphere, tutor recitals and many optional music activities, plus opportunities for accompanying. Five groups of 12-13 amateur pianists, guided by their tutors, explore the glories of the piano repertoire. Faculty includes Karl Lutchmayer, Graham Fitch, Christine Stevenson, Jill Morton and Daniel Hill. In addition to offering 18 hours of masterclasses, tutors each give a piano recital and, additionally, a lecture.
And if you feel like crossing the Channel to France, then there's…
Piano at Le Maillard
Residential piano courses led by Ann Martin-Davis and Helen Leek at their home ‘Le Maillard’ in Édon, in the picturesque Charente region of South West France. Courses are aimed at adult returners – those who learned the piano when they were young and have come back to the instrument as adults – and piano professionals. When they are not in France over the spring/summer months, Ann and Helen also run one-day courses at their central London studio. Ann Martin-Davis is interviewed inside the latest issue of Pianist magazine (issue 143). Listen to her Pianist Podcast with Pianist editor Erica Worth, during which she talks about Piano at Le Maillard.
Students and Ann Martin-Davis flanked by magnificent scenery at Piano at Le Maillard:
Main image: © Helen Tabor