ABRSM Teaching Diploma Training Singapore | Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy

About the Academy - Advancing the Art of Music Teaching

Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy (JMPA) is a specialised training institution dedicated to the professional development of piano teachers and advanced musicians. Founded by Josephine Koh, the academy focuses on cultivating structured, intelligent, and artistically informed teaching for the modern music educator.

At the heart of JMPA is a distinctive approach that bridges performance, pedagogy, and musical understanding. The academy goes beyond conventional teaching methods by equipping educators with the ability to analyse, guide, and refine performance at a high level—particularly in the context of diploma-level examinations such as ABRSM and Trinity College.
Develop your teaching. Refine your thinking. Elevate your artistry.

NOW RUNNING — 2026 COHORT IN PROGRESS

The Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy™ is currently in session with an active cohort of well qualified Piano and Violin music educators. This course will end in February 2027. They are highly engaged in:

Structured lecture modules
Guided teaching reflections
Video-based pedagogy coaching
Tutorials on written submissions
Repertoire and career development

Click: Pedagogy Course with Conducting Modules for Other Instruments

Limited places will be available for the next intake.
👉 Register your interest to be considered for the upcoming cohort.

Inside the Programme
Weekly Structure

Week 1 – Lecture (Pedagogical Framework)
Week 2 – Tutorial (Case Study Discussion)
Week 3 – Lecture (Advanced Concepts)
Week 4 – Tutorial (Application + Feedback)

What Participants Are Doing Now

Writing structured pedagogical reflections
Identifying technical and musical issues in students
Working with written submissions, video lessons, aural training, musicianship, including sight reading skills and upgrading personal skillsets.

MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Structured Pedagogical Training.
The Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy is built on the belief that effective teaching is not instinctive—it is developed through structured thinking, observation, and refinement.
The programme supports teachers through:

Guided mentorship
Score-based teaching analysis
Reflective teaching practicum
Professional discussion and dialogue

Rather than focusing only on “what to teach,” JMPA emphasises how to think as a teacher—developing clarity, intention, and precision in every teaching decision.

Performance-Based Learning Approach.
At the core of JMPA is a performance-based approach to teaching and learning.
Drawing from years of live performance classes, the academy trains teachers to:

Evaluate playing through performance outcomes
Guide students towards musical communication
Understand the relationship between technique, sound, and interpretation
Prepare students effectively for recorded and digital examination formats

This approach is especially relevant in today’s context, where performance recordings form a key part of assessment.

Pedagogical Philosophy
JMPA is grounded in a philosophy that connects:

The mechanism of the piano
The physical coordination of the human body
The artistic intention behind sound production

Vision
JMPA aspires to become a leading voice in structured piano pedagogy in Asia, shaping a new generation of teachers who combine artistry with clarity, and intuition with method.

Pedagogy & Mentorship

Training emphasises pedagogical clarity, score-based teaching, and reflective professional practice through guided mentorship, group discussions, and lesson observation, aligned with ABRSM exam requirements on teaching reflections and approaches.

Venue & Learning Environment

Main lectures and programmes will be conducted at Voices of Singapore, Stamford Road — a centrally located professional music venue in Singapore, offering an inspiring and accessible environment for advanced learning. Tutorial sessions will be held both online and in person.

Programme Director Josephine Koh (piano), with the Strings Faculty led by Associate Professor Lynette Lim (violin) the Diploma Centre provides:

structured preparation for ARSM and LRSM Teaching Diplomas
mentoring pedagogy approaches are aligned with ABRSM examination standards,
a supportive community of teachers in the Joyeux Educators' Hub committed to teaching values and excellence.

Who the Programme Is For?

Piano and violin teachers seeking professional development
Teachers preparing for ARSM or LRSM Teaching Diplomas
Conservatoire or music degree graduates
Educators who wish to move beyond instinctive teaching
Advanced musicians transitioning into teaching
Teachers looking for professional-level pedagogical training

Why This Programme Is Unique?

ABRSM Authorised Diploma Teaching Centre
Direct insights into diploma assessment expectation
Mentorship from experienced pedagogues
A professional community of dedicated music educators

Overview of ABRSM Teaching Diplomas

The ABRSM Teaching Diplomas introduced from 2024 outline the professional expectations, assessment components, and evidence required for teaching qualifications at ARSM, LRSM and FRSM levels. It represent a significant shift in the assessment of professional music teaching. Rather than focusing on repertoire, these diplomas assess real-world teaching practice, contextual understanding, and reflective professional values. The overview below summarises the structure of these qualifications. Candidates are assessed by ABRSM, while Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy provides structured preparation and guidance aligned with these requirements.

Summary of Structure & Assessment

Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy’s training programmes are designed to help candidates interpret these requirements, develop appropriate teaching evidence, and prepare candidates confidently for the exams:

ARSM & LRSM in Music Teaching

Teaching is assessed through live recorded teaching practice
Candidates submit contextual written or spoken evidence
A professional discussion with an ABRSM examiner forms a core component
Emphasis is placed on:
- planning and responsiveness
- musical interaction
- reflection and professional values

Click the image below which links directly to the ABRSM website for full details of the Diploma syllabus.

Official ABRSM Music Teaching Diploma Qualification Specification (2024). © ABRSM. Used here for reference via direct link.

WATCH THIS 9 Minute Webinar HIGHLIGHTS

EMPOWER YOUR TEACHING SEMINAR on 3 MARCH 2026 (PIANO & VIOLIN)

As part of the activities of Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy, a full-day professional seminar titled “Empower Your Teaching” was presented for music educators seeking deeper understanding of pedagogical practice and professional development pathways.
The seminar brought together experienced music teachers, pedagogues, and industry leaders in a dynamic forum dedicated to advancing the standards of music education in Singapore and the region.
Facilitated by Programme Director Josephine Koh, the day's activities combined teachers' self evaluation with examination insights, a conference segment and guided professional practicum to support teachers who are preparing for the internationally recognised ABRSM Teaching Diploma qualifications.

The Conference Dialogue Session was a highlight, featuring a distinguished panel including:
• Mervyn Cousins – Chief Examiner, ABRSM
• Zoe Booth – Chief Examiner, ABRSM
• Yao Cong – Representative, ABRSM Singapore
• Lynette Lim – Faculty of Strings
• Josephine Koh – Programme Director

Through lectures, demonstrations, and interactive discussions, participants explored important areas of contemporary music pedagogy including:
• score-based teaching approaches
• reflective pedagogical practice
• teaching practicum and case studies
• professional pathways towards ARSM and LRSM Teaching Diplomas

The seminar created a vibrant platform for professional dialogue and exchange among music educators, encouraging teachers to reflect critically on their teaching practice while strengthening the artistic and educational standards of music training. It reflects Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy’s commitment to fostering a community of thoughtful and reflective music educators while supporting the continued development of high-quality music education in Singapore. See reviews of attendees below.

If you are ready to move beyond routine teaching and develop a clear, structured, and professional approach, we invite you to take the next step.
Join the Joyeux Music Pedagogy Academy