Piano Teacher Certificate Program

The Professional Piano Teacher: A Program Specially Crafted for Piano Teachers

Program Basics

Designed for pianists with sufficient background to pursue a professional career as a private teacher
Required audition before the Schoolcraft teaching staff
A minimum of 4 semesters of study; additional length depends upon skill level
40 credit hours of instruction
Status as a credit student at Schoolcraft, with regular tuition rates
Part-time study an acceptable option

Program Components

Classes in basic music skills – theory, music history, sight singing, ear training – unless competency demonstrated through pretesting
Keyboard skills classes
Weekly private piano lessons and master classes

Program components also incorporate work with the Piano Academy students:

2 years of supervised teaching, with lessons videotaped and critiqued
Observation of children’s group lessons
Supervising faculty with at least a master’s degree in piano performance or pedagogy

Program Outcomes

Certificate indicating proficiency through Level Ten of the Michigan Music Teachers Association – Student Achievement Testing
Expanded knowledge of teaching repertoire, its suitability and sequencing
Improved keyboard skills such as transposition, scales, sight reading
Enhanced performance skills
Advanced teaching skills such as how to pace a lesson, how to motivate students, how to deal with problems, the physicality of piano playing

Program Director, Gerardo Ascheri

Gerardo Ascheri

From 1994 to 2011 Dr. Ascheri was a member of the piano faculty at the Michigan State University Community Music School. He has served as President of both the Capital Area Music Teachers Association and the Michigan Music Teachers Association. He currently serves as Chairperson for the Michigan Music Teachers Association Piano Achievement Testing Committee. He is part of the Board of Directors of the Music Teachers National Association, representing the East central Division. He is also the President of the Lansing Matinee Musicale. He is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Dr. Ascheri received the 2008-2009 Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Music Teachers Association, and the 2008-2009 Educator of the Year from the Michigan Youth Arts Festival.

Contact Information:

Contact the Schoolcraft Music Department today for an interview or audition, and enroll in the Piano Teacher Certificate Program.

Music Office: (734) 462-4403
Email: pminnick@schoolcraft.edu