Conservatory Canada
The Conservatory Canada piano curriculum is a flexible classical music program with a strong emphasis on Canadian repertoire. It offers examinations from Levels 1 through 10, culminating in the Associate of the Canadian Conservatory of Music (ACCM) Diploma.
Exams can be completed any time of the year through e-exams, or at local examination centres four times per year: January, April, June, and August. Registration is typically available two months in advance.
At my Ottawa studio, I guide students through the Conservatory Canada curriculum with a personalized approach, ensuring they develop technique, musicality, and performance skills at every stage.
Components of a CC Grade
To successfully complete a Conservatory Canada grade in piano, students focus on five key components:
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Repertoire: Carefully selected classical pieces appropriate for each level
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Studies / Etudes: Technical exercises that build finger strength, agility, and musical expression
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Technique: Scales, chords, and arpeggios essential for mastery
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Ear Training: Developing listening skills, musical memory, and rhythmic understanding
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Keyboard Skills: Broader skills including sight-reading, improvisation, and harmonization
The full requirements for each grade are available in the Conservatory Canada Piano Syllabus.
How I Teach Conservatory Canada Piano Lessons in Ottawa
My teaching approach ensures students have a solid foundation before progressing to the next level. Key aspects include:
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Number of pieces per level: Most students learn at least 14 pieces
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Optional supplementary books: Students can explore additional repertoire in genres such as classical, jazz, improvisation, pop, or holiday music
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Personalized guidance: I work with students to select repertoire that aligns with their interests while meeting curriculum requirements
Level-specific Expectations
While students follow the core CC curriculum, they are encouraged to choose additional repertoire. I have listed below the required number of pieces from each repertoire and etude list as well as examples of suggested supplementary books for each level:
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 1 – Martha Mier
Connections 1 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
Jazz-a-Little Jazz-a-LOT – Catherine Rollin
Optional Classical books
At Sea – Teresa Richert
Copycat Copycat – Teresa Richert
Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 3 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 3 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 2 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Book 3 – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 1 – Hal Leonard
FunTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
Optional Christmas books
FunTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
Piano Adventures Christmas Level 3A – Faber and Faber
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 1 – Martha Mier
Connections 2 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz 2 – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
At Sea – Teresa Richert
Copycat Copycat – Teresa Richert
Days of Summer – Teresa Richert
Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 4 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 4 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 4 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 2 – Hal Leonard
BigTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
Optional Christmas books
BigTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
Piano Adventures Christmas Level 4 – Faber and Faber
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 2 – Martha Mier
Connections 3 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz 2 – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
Days of Summer – Teresa Richert
Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 5 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 5 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 5 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrocck – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 3 – Hal Leonard
Alfred’s Top Hits Level 3
Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 2 – Martha Mier
Connections 4 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz 4 – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 5 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 5 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 5 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrocck – Christopher Norton
Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 3 – Martha Mier
Connections 5 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microlatin – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 1 – Martha Mier
Romantic Impressions Book 2 – Martha Mier
Romantic Impressions Book 3 – Martha Mier
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
Canine Inventions – Teresa Richert
The Nutcracker Suite – Alfreds (Product 16876)
Optional Pop and Rock books
American Popular Piano Repertoire 5 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 6 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Alfred’s Top Hits Solo Book Level 5
Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 3 pieces
Group 2: Choose 3 pieces
Group 3: Choose 3 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 3 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 3 – Martha Mier
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 4 – Martha Mier
Jazz-a-little Jazz-a-LOT – Catherine Rollin
Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 3 – Martha Mier
Northern Menagerie – Teresa Richert
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
Optional Pop and Rock books
Elton John Intermediate Solos arr. Carol Klose – Sir Elton John
The Beatles 18 Favourites – Keveren
Connections 6 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 6 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Top Hits Level 6
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 3 pieces
Group 2: Choose 3 pieces
Group 3: Choose 3 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 3 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Smooth Jazz, 13 Favorites – Philip Keverin
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 4 – Martha Mier
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 5 – Martha Mier
Jazz Preludes – Christopher Norton
Blues and Rag Piano – Hal Leonard
Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 4 – Martha Mier
Optional Pop and Rock books
Fifteen Cinema Classics – Philip Keveren
Connections 7 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Movie & TV Hits – Hal Leonard
Movie Hits for Solo Piano – Alfred’s
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
George Gershwin 14 Greatest Tunes – Hal Leonard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Hal Leonard
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 5 – Martha Mier
Jazz Preludes – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 4 – Martha Mier
Seasons – Teresa Richert
Seascape – Teresa Richert
River Flows in you and Other Eloquent Solos for Piano – Hal Leonard
Optional Pop and Rock books
Connections 8 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Rock Preludes – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Movie & TV Hits – Hal Leonard
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Duke Ellington 17 Timeless Classics – Hal Leonard
Rediscovering Ellington – Alfred
Gershwin 14 Greatest Tunes – Hal Leonard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Scott Joplin
Connections 9 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Optional Classical books
Seasons – Teresa Richert
Seascape – Teresa Richert
River Flows in You and Other Eloquent Solos for Piano – Hal Leonard
Optional Pop and Rock books
Rock Preludes – Christopher Norton
Popular Music Collection Volume 3 – Dan Coates/Alfred’s
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Note for Note 23 Classic Jazz Performances – Bill Evans
Gershwin at the Keyboard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Lamb
Connections 10 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Oscar Peterson Piano Solos
Canadiana Suite – Oscar Peterson
Optional Pop books
Popular Music Collection Volume 3 – Dan Coates
Optional Christmas books
Charlie Brown Christmas
Selections from Repertoire List
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 piece
Group 5: Choose 2 pieces
Group 6 Choose 2 pieces