Playing the piano is a combination of discipline and patience that requires passion and dedication, but offers life lasting rewards like creativity, confidence and self-esteem. Classical piano is the principal study at Hampstead Piano Academy. Whether you are looking for fun lessons, for some intellectual stimulation or a push towards certain aim, our teachers always adapt their lessons to the students’ pace. Our goal is to educate well-rounded musicians with the most appropriate technique for them and a good sense of musicality that will allow them to communicate without words.

If your interest in piano music goes beyond the classics and you would like to learn how to play spontaneously, jazz piano lessons will expand your knowledge and give you new ideas to explore. Through the most popular jazz and blues tunes, you will learn the harmony, scales, rhythms and structures that you could use to create your own pieces or to improvise with anybody in the next local jam session. These lessons are available on a weekly basis or as an Intensive Workshop with our jazz piano teacher Mario Ahijado.

From Initial to Grade 8, students learn to work towards a deadline. ABRSM, Trinity College and LCM exams are the most popular measure of ability for music students in UK. The exams assess skills that are often neglected such as sight reading and listening, and also have specific Theory Tests. The certificates awarded by any of these three boards of  examination have the same standard of level compared to each other, and are equally recognized worldwide. Furthermore, Grades 6 and above qualify for UCAS university admission points.

Hampstead Piano Academy organizes its own exam simulations prior to the students’ official ABRSM, Trinity College or London College of Music exams. They recreate the exam process and they are assessed following the appropriate marking criteria for each grade. Mock exams in piano and theory are available not only for our students but also for external candidates wishing to receive a professional feedback before the day. Our piano teachers will comment your performance or written test to point out any weaknesses to be improved or strengths to amplify.

As a professionally established duo, our teachers animate students to get involved in the practice of chamber music and enjoy its unique benefits. Piano duet is an ensemble class to make music with others, perfect for students willing to explore their lessons from a new perspective. Students socialize, support each other and learn to respect their peers while playing together on the same instrument. They also build a strong confidence when performing on stage. Regardless of age and level, these lessons are a great team work.

Working on music theory helps the students make a quicker progress, as they are able to understand their pieces deeply. Theory and musical language are as important as playing an instrument; they set up the connections needed to interpret accurately each composer’s notation. Theory is also fundamental for students working on graded exams, who are required to pass Grade 5 theory before moving on to Grade 6 on their instrument. Our theory lessons are available on a weekly basis and as one of our Intensive Courses.

“Játékok” (Games) is the method we use as an introduction to music for young children. The activity is led as a game where kids make music together. The essence of this methodology is based on improvisation: playing the piano in a spontaneous way, giving freedom to the students and increasing their own initiative to develop their musical   creativity. The goal is not to be afraid of mistakes and to freeing children from the image of a serious and boring pianist. Groups will have a maximum of 4 kids.

Students are encouraged to share their music with others and to listen to their fellows as often as possible. It takes so much courage to play in front of an audience, but supported by their mates, friends, family and teachers, these events are an enjoyable highlight twice a year. In addition to the public concerts, friendly and private events are frequently arranged to give the students the opportunity to gain confidence and get rid of some nerves. They have the chance to perform their pieces before their exam, recital or just for fun.

When students learn from different piano methods or prefer not to follow the pace of an exam, having a teacher’s report after each term helps the parents to keep track of their progress. This academic outline provides a summary of the concepts covered during the lessons and a written feedback of the pieces performed un public. Available on request, it is a guide to know what to practice and how to do it; a reminder of the skills yet to be mastered but a praise to the ones already achieved.