Teacher Education at The New School for Music Study

Teacher Education at The New School for Music Study

Comprehensive Practical Teaching Program 2025-2026

The Frances Clark Center Comprehensive Practical Teaching Program is designed to give foundational teaching experiences to recent music school graduates and emerging professionals. The focus of the program is to provide practical teaching opportunities through a practicum-based experience. The program is open to pianists who have completed the minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. No prior teaching experience is required.

The program is structured in 3 terms of 10 weeks each. It is an immersive teaching intensive that is designed to serve the educational needs of each individual apprentice. Participants will experience a combination of online and class coursework, teaching observations, team teaching, applied teaching, and regular feedback and mentorship on their own teaching development. Participants will also have the opportunity to work with master teachers, through the Frances Clark Center Residency Program at NSMS. Private piano instruction is also available. Performance opportunities are available by invitation.

A Certificate is awarded at the completion of three terms. The program is repeatable.

Cost: $2500 per term: includes all coursework, practicum, program books, and materials.

Private piano instruction is available for additional costs. Scholarships are available.

Schedule:

The program is structured in 3 terms of 10 weeks. Dates are flexible and appications are accepted on a rolling basis. A typical schedule might be:

Term I: October-December 2025

Term II: January-March 2026

Term III: April-June 2026

Format: Students may generally expect 2 hours of class coursework, 4 hours of guided observation, 3 hours of team teaching/mentored teaching per week. Assignments and preparation will require additional time. Final schedules are confirmed based on the needs of each apprentice in consultation with the program directors.

Apply for the Comprehensive Practical Teaching Program Below

Name*

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Have you taken a pedagogy course before?*

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Please provide any details you can about the pedagogy course(s) you've taken: *

Please provide your years of teaching experience:*

No experience1-2 years3-5 years6+ years

Please upload your curriculum vitae:*

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Please upload your personal statement:*

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Please upload your college transcripts:*

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Please upload up to three current letters of recommendation (OPTIONAL):

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Please share a video link of your teaching (OPTIONAL):

YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive link, or similar.

Please share a video link of you performing (OPTIONAL):

YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive link, or similar.

Are you in need of financial assistance?*

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Please click here to download the Financial Need Statement form, complete, sign, and upload in the field below.

Please upload your completed Financial Need Statement form here:*

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The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy is a not-for-profit educational organization 501(c)(3) that serves the advancement of piano teaching, learning, and performing through highest quality resources and programs. The Center includes the divisions: Piano Magazine,Piano Inspires Kids, Journal of Piano Research, NCKP: The Piano Conference, New School for Music Study, Online Teacher Education, and Piano Education Press.

The Center strives to enhance the quality of lifelong music making, educate teachers dedicated to nurturing lifelong involvement in music making, and develop and curate the highest quality resources that support an artistic and meaningful learning experience for all students regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. The work of the Center is based on the philosophy of music educator Frances Clark (1905-1998) whose life work revolutionized the field of music education in the twentieth century.