Piano for Kids
Children learn much more than music, with lifelong benefits
Piano for Students
Play for pleasure or take AMEB exams
Piano for Adults
A creative way to keep your brain healthy
Piano West Wyalong
Individual tuition with Lucy Buttenshaw B.A., Dip. Ed., A.T.C.L.
There is much evidence about the beneficial effects of playing an instrument to improve the brain's capacity for learning all sorts of things besides music. In a nutshell, it's very good for us!
However, the initial and most important gain in learning to play, comes from the sheer delight of discovering and making music.
Philosophy
"My aim is for students to enjoy the piano and to develop the skills and confidence necessary to discover music independently."
Learning
There is the opportunity for students to try a range of music styles, to learn for a specific purpose, for pleasure, or to sit exams through the Australian Music Examinations Board (see courses below). NB. The AMEB - practical examinations are possible via video, contact Lucy for further details.
Teaching Times
Scheduled lessons coincide with the NSW (Eastern Division) school terms (See 'Term Dates' below).
NB. Lucy will also teach over the holidays with a flexible timetable to fit around holiday activities - great for continuity and help with practice!
Lessons.
Each lesson is normally half an hour, longer or shorter times can be arranged if required. Both face to face and on-line live lessons are available.
Lucy's exclusive music sheets and learning materials/videos are all included at no extra charge. Music books and exam fees are charged at cost price.
Further Afield
Students who are, or are moving further afield are welcome to continue piano/music study with real-time live lessons on-line. Even if you are located in another state or outside Australia you are most welcome to book live lessons on-line with Lucy (normal lesson fees apply)
Courses Available
"From starting out to super serious, I aim to make learning a pleasure."
Learning for fun or for a specific purpose
Lessons are tailored around each student’s reasons and requirements for learning.
You may want to learn for fun, to play for a specific purpose, or to study a particular style of music. We will discuss what you would like to discover and achieve through learning, then follow a plan to best suit you.
You may wish to sit exams in piano and / or one of the music theory courses – read more information about these options on this page!
P Plate Piano - AMEB
P Plate assessment is a fun non-graded examination for new pianists. The candidate presents three pieces.
The examiner gives helpful and encouraging feedback on each piece.
For young beginners, a parent or teacher is welcome to come into the exam room for extra support!
Piano (Comprehensive) - AMEB
During lessons, students prepare material for their exams alongside music for pleasure and development.
Exam requirements:
Technical work, pieces selected from lists provided (mostly classical repertoire from Baroque to contemporary composers), general knowledge, aural and sight reading tests.
Piano for Leisure - AMEB
This Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) syllabus explores a popular repertoire including well-loved standards from the classics, jazz styles and arrangements of movie themes and popular songs.
Grades: Level 1 (Preliminary - 4th grade), Level 2 (5th - 8th grade) and Certificate of Performance.
The grades and requirements correspond with the piano comprehensive syllabus, but there is less work to prepare making these exams ideal for busy students wanting a certificate of achievement without the workload.
Theory - Musicianship - Music craft - AMEB
Written & Online exams:
The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) offers graded written examinations in three subject areas:
Theory of Music, Musicianship and Music Craft.
These subjects cover the theoretical aspects of music, complementing and enriching students' practical studies.
Term Dates
(Based on NSW school holidays) Early, normal or late in the day lessons are available.
Term 1 2025 (8 weeks)
Piano/music lessons start for Term 1 on Monday 17th February 2025.
The last lessons for Term 1 take place on Friday 11th April 2022
Autumn Holidays
Term 2 2025 (10 weeks)
Piano/music lessons start for Term 2 on Monday 28th April 2025.
NB: Lessons will not take place on Friday 25th April 2025 (Anzac Day) also Monday 9th June 2024 (The Kings's Birthday)
The last lessons for Term 2 take place on Friday 4th July 2025
Winter Holidays
Term 3 2025 (10 weeks)
Piano/music lessons start for Term 3 on Monday 21st July 2025
The last lessons for Term 3 take place on Friday 26th September 2025
Spring Holidays
PLEASE NOTE: West Wyalong Show Day, Wednesday 3rd September 2025 is a half-day public holiday. No lessons will take place after 12 noon.
Term 4 2025 (10 weeks)
Piano/music lessons start for Term 4 on Monday 13th October 2025
The last lessons for Term 4 take place on Friday 19th December 2025
Summer Holidays
Lesson Fees 2025
Idividual lesson fees:
15 mins - $26 ($260 per 10 week term).
30 mins - $36 ($360 per 10 week term).
1 hour - $72 ($720 per 10 week term).
Payment for a full term is expected by week 2 of the term as the regular lesson booking is reserved for the student.
30 min - Casual lesson $47 payable on the day.
1 hour - Casual lesson $89 payable on the day.
Family discount for regular attendance:
Term fees for the family discount will be calculated as follows:
10 lessons @ full price, the next 10 @ 5% discount and the remainder @ 10% discount.
Life happens
Consideration is given for extenuating circumstances resulting in absenteeism.
Please contact me to discuss any issues regarding attendance.
As stated above, payment for a full term is expected as the weekly lesson booking is reserved for the student. In cases where there are a number of absences, a minimum of 8 weeks will be charged unless some arrangement has been made well ahead (for example, in the case of a student travelling for a number of weeks).
Lessons missed with less than 24 hours notice require full payment. If paying weekly, it would be appreciated if payment for the missed lesson is brought when the student next attends.
If I have to cancel, no penalty will apply to the family discounted rates.
My Posts
Stamps & Certificates
Stamps are awarded for attendance, organisation, effort and special tasks. The gaining of stamps enables a student to move to a higher level and eventually to a higher tier. Certificates of achievement are awarded at each level.
Read more...
Getting your piano tuned
Mark Bolsius visits West Wyalong (NSW) around June each year tuning my piano (prior to the AMEB piano exams) together with other pianos in the area. He also covers several areas of NSW and VIC. Plus things you can do to keep your piano in good tune.
Read more...