Has anyone had any experience of Kate Elmitt Piano courses at The Elmitt Academy in Bedfordshire? I am particularly interested in what accommodation is on offer, single or shared and what facilities are available for practising.

I havent't actually stayed there but was a day student on Kate's last weekend course and will also be a day student on her September weekend course (doing just the Sunday). From what I can gather you have a room each, but not ensuite. BevPiano will be able to tell you more about the accommodation. As far as practising facilities are concerned, there are a few pianos (although I am not sure how many). I must say I would not waste my time practising too much there as you learn so much from actually watching Kate teach. I had a fabulous day and learned a lot, which is of course why I booked before I left the last course for the next course.

Yes, PianoNotes is correct, you would have a single room (and lovely food, all requirements catered for). There are 5 pianos (in 3 rooms) and a couple of clavinovas are set up in different rooms, which I think is fine for the number of people on the course. There is certainly plenty of opportunity to warm-up for lessons & practise in-between, but I agree with PianoNotes that you should spend much of the time watching Kate teach others - you learn so much from that. Kate is certainly a very exceptional & inspiring teacher - she teaches a lot of the teachers in this area, including me.

Thanks for info, Bevpiano and Pianonotes. I will probably book now, not worried about ensuite but do not want to share so single room arrangement suits me.

I agree re practicing, I spent too much time at Chethams last year practising - should have spent more time in masterclasses and workshops. As I am not going to Chethams this year Kate's course is a good alternative.

Last time I went to Chet's the teacher I had was rather surprised that I thought there was valuable experience to be gained by not spending all my spare time practising....

I think that is a rather unusual attitude. Most of the teachers seem to encourage you to go and see others - Murray certainly does. You seem to have been a bit unlucky on your last experience of Chet's. I hope you let them know how you felt. It sounds as though you should have changed teachers.

Probably should but didn't really know that the teaching was going to be so poor until the second lesson.
I spoke to Kathryn informally about it but it was the year she was ill.
The one positive I got out of it was seeing that I'd made the right choice in not contacting the teacher who was actually on my short list when I changed teacher .

[quote name='PianoNotes' date='Jun 12 2012, 07:29 PM' post='1153160']
[quote name='Hotair' post='1152904' date='Jun 11 2012, 09:34 AM']
[quote name='bevpiano' post='1152863' date='Jun 10 2012, 10:40 PM']
[quote name='PianoNotes' post='1152744' date='Jun 10 2012, 12:06 PM']
I havent't actually stayed there but was a day student on Kate's last weekend course and will also be a day student on her September weekend course (doing just the Sunday). From what I can gather you have a room each, but not ensuite. BevPiano will be able to tell you more about the accommodation. As far as practising facilities are concerned, there are a few pianos (although I am not sure how many). I must say I would not waste my time practising too much there as you learn so much from actually watching Kate teach. I had a fabulous day and learned a lot, which is of course why I booked before I left the last course for the next course.
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Yes, PianoNotes is correct, you would have a single room (and lovely food, all requirements catered for). There are 5 pianos (in 3 rooms) and a couple of clavinovas are set up in different rooms, which I think is fine for the number of people on the course. There is certainly plenty of opportunity to warm-up for lessons & practise in-between, but I agree with PianoNotes that you should spend much of the time atching Kate teach others - you learn so much from that. Kate is certainly a very exceptional & inspiring teacher - she teaches a lot of the teachers in this area, including me.
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It is probably a good idea to book soon as I know some of the people from the last course are returning in September. It is not like Chet's where there are lots and lots of places.


Thanks for info, Bevpiano and Pianonotes. I will probably book now, not worried about ensuite but do not want to share so single room arrangement suits me.

This sounds interesting but how are you booking please? Web site seems very out of date?

The next course is the Kick Start Piano Course on Friday 14th September to Sunday 16th September. A description is given of the course below:

"If you played some years ago, and would like to revive your skills, or if you have reached a plateau in your performing and need a special boost to get going again, this is for you. The course starts at 7.00pm on the Friday evening with dinner and a session of instruction, and continues to 4.00 pm on the Sunday. All courses include solo workshops, ensemble playing, aural and technical matters in an informal, friendly atmosphere."

I think it is ?200 residential and ?165 non-residential. If you ring The Elmitt Piano Academy, the number for which is on the website, Kate will assist you further.

We are just sorting out events for next year and they will be on the website soon. Please contact Kate if you're interested in any of her courses - she can really cater for any level. The email is on the website, but it's probably best to ring Kate as she likes to talk to people personally. Any problems, please contact me & I'll sort it out.

Thanks I'll do that.

The website has now been updated. Hope to see some of you at the Elmitt Academy soon.

Just resurrecting this thread to see if anyone knows what courses are on offer during 2013. I see that the website runs up to the beginning of March 2013.

The website has now been brought up to date and most events for the next few months are listed. Please ask me any questions. We would love to see some new people (as well as the regulars, of course!) Please note grade levels are approximate and Kate is excellent at catering for anyone's needs.

There are several weekend adult piano courses with Kate (single day attendance welcome), which can cover solo and ensemble playing, aural, sight-reading, piano technique etc. There is also a one-day masterclass with Kate for diploma standard pianists and a masterclass with Masayuki Tayama for all pianists. Kate is also running a non-competitive festival for all instruments and voice on 12 May.

All the dates are on www.arleseyarts.co.uk

Just had a look and though some things interest me I can't tell how accessible it is by public transport. Can't see a railway station on the google map.... Ah, found it.

There is a station at Arlesey, on the Kings Cross to Peterborough line. We always take people to and from the station, unless thay wish to walk (about 20 mins). It's about 30 mins from London by train. By car, it's about 5 mins from Junction 10 of A1M, 20 mins from M1 J10 or 25 mins J13.