29 August 2025
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The unique courses from The PTC UK offer an enriching journey designed for piano teachers who want to build on their experience, refresh their approach or are thinking of starting to teach.
‘Equipping, Empowering, Engaging’. Those three powerful words stand out on the home page of the Piano Teachers’ Course UK website.
‘At the heart of our mission is one powerful idea: to offer piano teachers an inspirational and holistic musical education,’ says Dr Sally Cathcart, Director of the PTC UK. ‘We equip and inspire teachers not only to teach – but transform lives through music.’
Wise words, indeed. As most of us know, having the right piano teacher is so important – especially in the early days, when we’re young. So many kids get bored with their lessons, finding exams a negative experience as well – and, sad to say, it’s often because of their uninspiring teacher.
The Piano Teachers’ Course UK is well aware of this issue, and it offers a variety of courses for teachers at different stages of their careers. Its flagship course is the Cert PTC, an enriching year-long journey designed for piano teachers who want to build on their experience or refresh their approach. Most recently, the Foundation Course and the Advanced Course have been introduced. At the core of everything is the primary goal to make the teacher/pupil experience a fulfilling one, whereby the student will go on to love the piano for years to come.
There are three different courses, or pathways, that the PTC UK offers: the Foundation Course, the Cert PTC and the Advanced Course. Here we list the general details of each, with an emphasis on the Cert PTC, its flagship course.
Dr Sally Cathcart teaching a class
The Cert PTC
The Cert PTC is what the Piano Teachers’ Course UK call its ‘flagship course’, nurturing teachers in a gentle yet challenging space to grow both as educators and as pianists. It gives students the time and space to reflect on their teaching and gain support from peers in this vibrant learning community.
Principal Tutor Jill Morton
The course is lead by expert tutors, including Graham Fitch – a well-known face to readers of the Pianist magazine and Pianist's YouTube channel – who guide you through this hybrid course. There are several online study days but at its heart are three immersive residential blocks held at the exceptional facilities of The Purcell School of Music. These face-to-face sessions foster deeper connections, collaboration, and a true sense of community.
What can teachers expect from the Cert PTC? Through workshops, lectures, tutorials, self-reflection, practical assignments, and independent study, they will be encouraged to engage with skills that include:
- Becoming a self-reflective practitioner capable of continuous improvement.
- Deepening one’s own pianistic and performance skills, recognizing your importance in your teaching.
- Designing and crafting lessons and lesson plans, tailored to pupils' unique needs.
- Having confidence to teach lessons with creativity – focusing musicianship, improvising, and whole body awareness.
Pianist editor Erica Worth asked Graham about own experiences as tutor: ‘As a former Principal Tutor, and now a Visiting Guest Tutor,’ says Fitch, ‘I can say with complete confidence that the Piano Teachers’ Course UK offers the very best in tuition and training to anyone looking to embark on a piano teaching career, as well as to those who have been teaching for a while, but feel stale or out of touch with current materials and thinking on piano pedagogy. What makes the PTC stand out is not just the expertise of the tutors, but a culture of caring and support that has been fostered over many years. The high ratio of tutors to tutees means that everyone on the course receives lots of personal attention. Lifetime friendships are forged and there is a palpable PTC family feeling long after graduation. I really can't recommend it enough!’
Tutor Graham Fitch
Praise, indeed! And from the tutees perspective? Here are just three glowing reports from past Cert PTC attendees:
‘The PTC has opened up more teaching opportunities and left me enthusiastic to continue to grow as a teacher. The lecturers are passionate, inspiring and have a wealth of knowledge while staying down-to-earth and supportive. As well as gaining a qualification, I gained friends in the other students and we have stayed in touch. I feel part of a piano teaching community!’
Jo (Cert PTC, 2022-23)
‘As a completely new piano teacher, this course has given me the best, ‘gold standard’ approach to successful music teaching. I’ve still got so much to learn through experience but the PTC has given me the confidence, peer support and external recognition needed to be successful.’
Hazel (Cert PTC, 2022-23)
‘It was the best professional decision I made in recent years. I’m actually sad that it’s finished because I now have to think what I’m going to do next. It was an amazing experience; it’s really worth the money and really worth our time spent, because we learned a lot.’
Catarina (Cert PTC, 2023-24, from Portugal)
As we write, we hear there are still a few places left to join the Cert PTC Course (which commences end of September), so don't miss the opportunity and book now!
Advanced Piano Teachers' Course
This course is tailored for highly experienced teachers who want to reach the pinnacle of their teaching practice, refine their methods, and continue their professional evolution with support from like-minded peers. Read about the course here.
Foundation Piano Teachers' Course
This is the ideal entry point for those who are new to teaching or simply considering it. Held over four months starting in January 2026, it provides a short introduction to the world of piano teaching and helps you build core skills with confidence. Read about the course here.
Whichever course you choose, The Piano Teachers Course UK is more than learning how to teach – for many of those who have attended, it’s been transformative experience. It focuses on making musical learning stimulating, holistic, and inclusive for pupils of all backgrounds. At the same time, revitalizing teachers – helping them increase their teaching confidence, breaking down any barriers they might have with their students, and deepen their love for the craft.
Join The Piano Teachers Course UK this coming academic year and take the necessary steps in inspiring the great pianists of tomorrow.