• GET YOUR TICKET FOR 2027

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What is the Irish Piano Pedagogy Conference?

The IPPC is a new national gathering for piano teachers across Ireland. It’s a two-day event focused on learning, connection, and inspiration – with workshops, talks and discussions designed to support teachers at every stage of their careers.

Can I come if I'm not Irish?

Of course! It's called the Irish Piano Pedagogy Conference because that's where it's hosted but teachers from anywhere are welcome!

Do I need to be a member of any organisation to attend?

No. The IPPC is an independent, community-led initiative. It is open to all piano teachers regardless of affiliation.

Can I attend for just one day?

Yes. You can choose a 1-day pass or a full 2-day ticket. The schedule is designed so that both days offer unique sessions, with extra benefits for full-conference attendees.

Can I present a session or workshop?

Absolutely. Scroll up to see the call for proposals. Teachers at all stages of experience are encouraged to apply.

Can I sponsor or exhibit at the conference?

Yes! We’re currently seeking partners and exhibitors who share our mission to support piano education in Ireland. Please get in touch on our contact page.

Who is the conference for?

The IPPC welcomes anyone involved in piano teaching, from independent teachers and school-based educators to college lecturers, accompanists, and students preparing to teach. If you teach, mentor, or simply care about piano education in Ireland, this event is for you.

Where will the conference take place?

The venue for the 2027 conference has not been set yet.

Who is organising the conference?

The IPPC is coordinated by Nicola Cantan in collaboration with a growing team of piano educators across Ireland. The conference is a non-institutional, community-driven initiative focused on connection, inclusion and professional growth.

Is this only for piano teachers?

The sessions and topics will be specific to piano. However, teachers of other instruments are extremely welcome. Just be aware that you'll likely have to adapt some of the ideas.

What if I can't attend?

If you purchase an earlybird ticket but something comes up and you're unable to attend, just email us before March 1st, 2027 to get a refund.

Is it weird to come alone?

Not at all! It's normal to feel a bit nervous or shy but most people come by themselves and everyone is very welcoming and friendly.

8:30am

Registration opens

Our registration desk will be open from 8:30 am so you can get your welcome packet and settle in. The registration desk will remain open until everyone has checked in so don't worry if you need to arrive later.

9:00am

Uncommon Sense for Music Teachers

with Nicola Cantan

Certain assumptions can make donkeys out of you, me, and many others around us. From pedaling to practice to concerts, let’s unpack those things you never thought to say, and others never thought to ask.

10:00am

Planting Musical Seeds: Piano Teaching in the Early Years

with Courtney O'Shea

This presentation will discuss the key developmental stages of children in the early years and explore practical approaches for piano teachers to effectively tailor their lessons. It will also highlight the significance of musical education in early childhood, emphasizing its impact on young learners' development.

11:00am

Coffee Break

Grab a tea or coffee and chat with fellow teachers.

11:30am

Inspiring Improvisation Through Multisensory Piano Teaching for Late Elementary to Early Intermediate Students

with Shihan Wang

Exploring the concept of whole-beat metronome practice, this session will demonstrate how reinterpreting historical tempo marks can unlock fresh insights for teaching Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and beyond.

12:15pm

Positively Profitable

with Nicola Cantan

Accepting your role as not just a teacher but also a business owner can be a tough pill for musicians to swallow. But, once we can overcome that hurdle, we can actually free ourselves up to be more creative and teach with joy. In this session, my goal is to empower piano teachers to build financially sustainable studios without sacrificing their love for teaching.

1:00pm

Lunch Break

Head out for lunch and continue the conversation.

2:00pm

Panel: Pricing and Policies

2:30pm

Group Discussions

You will be randomly split into groups to discuss a specific topic.

3:30pm

Coffee Break

Grab a tea or coffee and chat with fellow teachers.

4:00pm

The Singing Piano

with Starr Meneely

How to use moveable solfa with beginners to create a strong foundation for reading music.

5:00pm

End of Day 1

Head home or go grab some dinner with piano teacher friends, old or new!

9:00am

Interleaved Teaching: Taking Practice and Lessons to the Next Level

with Nicola Cantan

Come learn about interleaved teaching and revolutionise your studio without changing any of your lesson content. This little tweak could transform your students’ retention of concepts and skills from one lesson to the next.

10:00am

I heart WBMP

with Jay Wilson

Exploring the concept of whole-beat metronome practice, this session will demonstrate how reinterpreting historical tempo marks can unlock fresh insights for teaching Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and beyond.

11:00am

Coffee Break

Grab a tea or coffee and chat with fellow teachers.

11:30am

Being Creative

with Angela Qiao

The session explores creative, movement-based, and multi-sensory approaches to piano teaching that boost engagement and concentration in young learners, with practical activities to develop rhythm, note-reading, and musicality. Through games, rote learning, technology, art, & storytelling, teachers will discover fun, inclusive strategies to support different learning styles while nurturing strong aural skills, confidence, and expressive playing.

12:15pm

Helping Piano Students Develop a Compositional Voice

with Fidelma Nugent

This session explores practical ways of supporting piano students in developing a personal compositional voice. It focuses on mentoring students through the creative process, integrating composition into regular lessons, and encouraging confidence, independence, and musical ownership.

1:00pm

Lunch Break

Head out for lunch and continue the conversation.

2:00pm

Panel: Inclusivity

2:30pm

Group Discussions

You will be randomly split into groups to discuss a specific topic.

3:30pm

Coffee Break

Grab a tea or coffee and chat with fellow teachers.

4:00pm

Reeling in the Years

with Nicola Cantan

We'll wrap up our conference by looking to the future. In this session, we'll look at several archetypes of lifelong musicians that we might dream of our students becoming. Then we'll examine the actionable steps we need to take to make those futures possible.

5:00pm

End of Day 2

That's a wrap!