Arcadia Academy of Music’s primary goal offers a method of learning that allows for students to follow a traditional approach to studying the piano with modern teaching techniques. Students will develop fundamental keyboarding and musicianship skills that applies to playing the piano as both a performance, and self development tool. Lessons may be customized to include information specific to each student’s learning needs. Lessons will focus on a student’s development of practical playing ability as well as a working knowledge of the piano in a variety of playing situations. Students will follow Arcadia’s Piano Syllabus to develop the necessary skills for beginner, intermediate, and advanced studies. Students will also have the option to select their own material, topics and music to supplement their overall learning and individual interest.
Students will be given the opportunity to excel in reading music notation and theory, develop rhythmic abilities, and advance in ear training. They will learn to play contrasting pieces, studies and scales. More advanced topics such as playing by ear, improvisation, and transposition will be included as students develop more advanced skill and ability as a pianist. Additional theory courses are recommended to complement and enhance the overall musicianship of intermediate and advanced students.
Unlike other instruments, students must complete the prerequisite programs of either Piano Core or Piano Accelerated. We still firmly believe students should learn the fundamentals and rudiments of the instrument before exploring their own repertoire. This program also has clear outlines for students who are a part of the RCM and wish to transition to the Contemporary Program.
This program is designed for pianists who would prefer learning material outside of the RCM or do not have the time commitment to prepare for examinations. While we still believe students should participate in examinations and find immense value in the RCM programs, we understand that students may wish to pursue music for different reasons. Also, contemporary students who wish to try a more regimented approach will be taught the skills to seamlessly transition to the RCM if they desire as well! As with all our other programs, we will try our best to match students with instructors that fit their personality and musical goals!
The hybrid program is designed for students who wish to explore Bach, or Beethoven alongside John Williams, or Oscar Peterson. It blends the open approach of contemporary lessons while providing the student with clear measurable goals such as the RCM examinations. Like all our programs, a student’s interest may ebb and flow between their interests and try our best to accommodate them to the best of our ability.
In this program, students can learn a mixture of their own repertoire while preparing material for examinations, competitions, and performances. While it can be a lot of material to cover, our instructors can work with dedicated students to create a program that allows them to excel in both strains of learning! The RCM examinations, for example, also allows students to learn from a curated list of popular repertoire that can seamlessly be introduced during the lessons. Students can choose what they want to learn and prepare both for an examination while exploring many different types of popular and contemporary repertoire.
As with any of our programs and methods, students can easily transition between Core, Contemporary, and Hybrid. All they need to do is communicate with our instructors and we would be more than happy to oblige!
