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What the weekend gives you
Playing in front of a small group changes things. You settle into performing in a way that simply isn’t possible alone in a practice room, and the warmth of the group makes it a genuinely safe space to take risks.
You learn as much from watching others work as from your own time at the piano. You hear the same questions answered in different ways, discover how an idea applies across repertoire you don’t yourself play and build a whole new toolkit by seeing how other players approach their own challenges.
You can play a number of pieces or have the particular satisfaction of returning to the same piece across the weekend and leaving with it far more deeply understood. And there’s the peer element: being with people who share the same questions, the same love of the piano and the same desire to learn and make progress.
“I have taken away more from Oxford Piano Weekends than any of the other piano courses I’ve been on. The one-to-one time with Charlotte is very generous and I loved learning from the other pianists.”
ALICE P
OXFORD PIANO WEEKEND PARTICIPANT
How it works
Weekends run from Friday evening (6pm) to Sunday afternoon (3–4pm), with all lunches and dinners provided. Teaching takes place in my music studio, which has a Steinway model O piano, with 6–7 participants.
You each have 20 minutes at the piano in rotation, with short discussions on key topics in between. Making the group a genuinely safe space to work in, comfortable enough to take risks and make mistakes, is something I take seriously.
You can practise and warm up on the studio piano from Friday afternoon onwards. Practice slots can be reserved after booking.
“It’s inspirational - unlike anything else I’ve ever done. Best course ever!”
TIM D
OXFORD PIANO WEEKEND PARTICIPANT
Is this for you?
Weekends attract a wonderfully mixed group: advanced adult amateurs, conservatoire and university students, semi-professionals, professionals, and piano teachers, all united by a love of the piano and a desire to play it better.
You’ll need a secure technical and musical foundation, around Grade 8 or diploma level and above. Beyond that, what matters is genuine curiosity about your playing, a desire to go deeper into technique, to work on the style and expression of your repertoire, and to explore what performing really means. An openness to playing in front of a small group is part of it too, along with the sense that there is something to learn from that experience rather than simply survive it.
Have a browse of my website, particularly Piano Lessons, to understand more about how I teach. You can also hear me talk about working with amateur pianists on the Piano 101 Podcast with Fran Wilson.
Questions? Happy to chat.
What pianists say
Meals & refreshments
A warm, nourishing environment is as important to me as the teaching itself. All food is fresh, homemade, tasty and mostly organic. Wine flows freely at the evening meals, and tea breaks bring fresh coffee, a wide choice of teas, flapjacks and fruit.
All dietary requirements and sensitivities are catered for. Just let me know when you book.
“The food was incredible. Home-cooked meals make such a difference. It gave the weekend an all-round high quality.”
DANIEL W
OXFORD PIANO WEEKEND PARTICIPANT
Dates & cost
Upcoming dates
2026
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th October 1 pLACE LEFT
2027
Friday 14th – Sunday 16th January
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th April
Third weekend — dates TBC
Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th October
Cost
£345
Includes all meals and refreshments on both days, except breakfast.
Information about accommodation and transport is sent once you’ve booked. If you’d like it before you book, just ask.
A non-refundable deposit of £100 is required to secure your place on the course. The balance of the fees is due one month before the start of the course. See full cancellation policy here.
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