The European String Teachers Association (ESTA) and European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) have agreed to share expertise to deliver a variety of accredited teacher courses.
These instrument-specific professional development opportunities will range from foundation to master’s level and be designed to fit around a busy teaching life.
ESTA already has a postgraduate course, the ESTA PGC, now in its second year for string teachers, and is extending it to include piano in August 2019. EPTA has agreed to endorse and promote this course to its members. The course is jointly run, and accredited, by Chichester University. EPTA already has plans to support teachers in preparation for the DIP ABRSM teaching diplomas as well as offering CPD for pianists and teachers at all stages of their careers. EPTA’s own new teaching diploma, certEPTA, will also be launched in 2019.
ESTA and EPTA will also offer membership of each other’s organisation for a considerably reduced subscription of only £20.
John Shayler, Chair of ESTA, said:
‘We are delighted to be working so closely with our sister organisation EPTA. The two organisations have a similar history and have worked alongside each other for 40 years. This new cooperation, though, marks a considerable development in our relationship and we hope it will lead to more initiatives in the future.’
Murray McLachlan, Chair of EPTA, said:
‘We are delighted to be working with ESTA on these professional development courses. Their ability to develop accredited qualifications is a real inspiration for us, and we are very happy to promote them to our members.’
