Piano Programs
Whether you’re igniting a musical spark in your child or rekindling your own passion, our piano program is tailored for learners of all ages and skill levels. We understand that every student’s journey is unique, and our experienced instructors are dedicated to nurturing your specific talents and goals.
Beginner’s Delight: Dive into the world of music with enthusiasm! Our beginner lessons are a blend of fun, foundational skills, and the first steps towards musical literacy.
Intermediate Mastery: Elevate your skills with techniques and repertoire that challenge and inspire. Our intermediate lessons focus on expanding your abilities and deepening your understanding of music.
Advanced Virtuosity: Aspire to excellence with advanced lessons designed to refine your technique and expressiveness. Tackle complex compositions and develop a nuanced musicality that captivates.
Pianokids
No
- Prerequisite
30 or 45 minutes
- Duration
Private, in-person & online
- Class size
4 to 9 years
- Age range
Personalized course for preschoolers & mid-children
- Specification
Pianokids 1
At the end of this course, children will be playing simple pieces in white keys in A minor and C major scales. Level 1 teaches children foundational musical concepts including time values, pitches, rhythmic precision, notation, and dynamics, while encouraging the development of proper finger, arm, and body positions.
Pianokids 2
Building on the concepts explored in Level 1, Level 2 aims to enhance students’ confidence and improve their technique. Students receive instruction in the fundamentals of piano play and study score reading, proper pedal use, phrasing, and other concepts and techniques. The virtues of practice, discipline, posture, and technique are conveyed in a fun, upbeat environment.
The repertoire is drawn from a variety of styles, from highly lyrical works to rhythmic pieces. Homework is assigned each week, with parents tracking their child’s progress.
Prerequisite: Pianokids 1, or permission of the instructor.
Pianokids 3
Level 3 studies deepen the link between theory and practice by further developing students’ awareness of expression, contrast, and tone. Particular attention is paid to basic musicianship and body awareness, including techniques for expressing tone through the use of arm weight.
Prerequisite: Pianokids 2, or permission of the instructor.
Preliminary Piano Program
No
- Prerequisite
30, 45 or 60 minutes
- Duration
Private, in-person & online
- Class size
+10 years, adults
- Age range
Faster direction for pre-teens, teenagers, and adults
- Specification
Preliminary 1
At the end of this course, students will be playing simple pieces in white keys in A minor and C major scales with focus in sight reading skill. Level 1 teaches students foundational musical concepts including time values, pitches, rhythmic precision, notation, and dynamics, while encouraging the development of proper finger, arm, and body positions with faster pace and using different methods in compare with Pianokids.
Preliminary 2
Building on the concepts explored in Level 1, Level 2 aims to enhance students’ confidence and improve their technique. Students receive instruction in the fundamentals of piano play and study score reading, proper pedal use, phrasing, and other concepts and techniques. The virtues of practice, discipline, posture, and technique are conveyed in a fun, upbeat environment.
The repertoire is drawn from a variety of styles, from highly lyrical works to rhythmic pieces.
Prerequisite: Preliminary 1, or permission of the instructor.
Preliminary 3
Level 3 studies deepen the link between theory and practice by further developing students’ awareness of dynamics, articulation, and tone quality. Particular attention is paid to basic musicianship and body awareness, including techniques for expressing tone through the use of arm weight.
Prerequisite: Preliminary 2, or permission of the instructor.
RCM Piano Program
Pianokids or preliminary course
- Prerequisite
45 or 60 minutes
- Duration
Private, in-person & online
- Class size
All
- Age range
Certification & high-school credit
- Specification
The RCM piano program provides students with world-class, well-rounded musical training, from elementary through to advanced levels. With the completion of each level, students further hone their skills and develop their ability to play music independently. The program at Vancouver Conservatory of Music encompasses three main areas:
Repertoire
• Each level includes a broad selection of pieces representing a variety of musical styles and historical periods.
• Regular reviews of the repertoire keep the selections fresh and innovative.
• Teachers and students can add favorite pieces through the teacher’s choice selections.
Technical Requirements & Etudes
• Technical requirements are designed to support the demands of the repertoire for each level.
• Technical tests include scales, chords, and arpeggios.
• Etudes develop technical skills within a musical context.
Musicianship Skills
• A thoughtful and consistent approach to the development of ear training and sight-reading provides students with a solid foundation for independent creative musical explorations.
• Musicianship skills are developed to support the goals and requirements of both theoretical understanding and musical performance.
VCM Piano Program
Pianokids or Preliminary course
- Prerequisite
45 or 60 minutes
- Duration
Private, in-person & online
- Class size
All
- Age range
Personalized course with certification
- Specification
The VCM piano program provides students with world-class, and personalized musical training, from elementary through to advanced levels. After completing each level, students can register for the VCM piano exam to receive constructive feedback from professional instructors and earn a VCM piano certificate. The program at Vancouver Conservatory of Music encompasses three main areas:
Repertoire
• Each level includes several personalized pieces representing a variety of musical styles and historical periods.
• Personalized pieces selected based on psychological and cultural preferences and moods
Improvisation, Etudes, and Technics
• Improvisation is designed to empower the students’ brain output similar to learning speaking and writing.
• Technical requirements are designed to support the demands of the repertoire for each level.
• Technical tests include scales, chords, and arpeggios.
• Etudes develop technical skills within a musical context.
Musicianship Skills
• A thoughtful and consistent approach to the development of ear training and sight-reading provides students with a solid foundation for independent creative musical explorations.
• Musicianship skills are developed to support the goals and requirements of both theoretical understanding and musical performance.
