Dear families,

Happy New Year. Your teachers are looking forward to welcoming you back to your lessons this week. (Saturday students, please note that lessons begin next week, not today).

TL;DR*

• Fortnightly bulletins will now be sent every second Saturday morning with key updates and reminders.
• Term 1 runs from Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April (Easter public holidays are not included in Term 1).
• Neon is now managing our calendar — booking queries should go to admin@allhandspianoacademy.com and cancellations via the AHPA cancellation form.
• Drum lessons are now available on Mondays and Saturdays with Andy Gander.
• The waiting room drinks station has been replaced with a homework zone.
• Term dates for the rest of the year are listed below.
• Expressions of interest are now open (links below) for upcoming recitals and school holiday programs (minimum numbers required to proceed).

*In case you're not up to date with the latest internet lingo, TL;DR is shorthand for 'too long, didn't read'...it's a summary for those who don't have time for too many details! ☺️

Fortnightly Bulletin

This year, you can expect bulletin from yours truly in your inbox every second Saturday morning.

These bulletins are not intended to spam you. They are will mostly just be updates and reminders that you need to know ☺️

If you want to loop other parents or carers into this bulletin, they can subscribe here:

Term dates

Term 1 is an 8.5 week term, which runs from Monday 2nd February to Thursday 2nd April (inclusive). Easter Public Holidays (Fri 3rd - Sun 5th April) are not included in these term dates. Lessons may be arranged on these days if clients request them, in which case a separate invoice will be sent.

Neon is Managing our Calendar

Neon will be managing our calendar going forward. You can direct any correspondence regarding your bookings to Neon at our admin email: admin@allhandspianoacademy.com

Please don't forget to fill out the AHPA cancellation form if you will not be attending any of your lessons.This is the most efficient way for us to keep track of changes and to ensure that your requests to reschedule do not get lost.

If your child is sick, we really appreciate you keeping them home and selecting another option on the cancellation form.

Drum Lessons

All Hands Piano Academy (which we may need to rebrand to All Hands Music Academy 😁) is now offering drum lessons with renowned drummer Andy Gander on Monday and Saturday afternoons. Andy is a giant in the Aussie music scene and we are seriously lucky to have him (and his wonderful wife Leah!). Existing clients, in case you're concerned about the noise, I want to reassure you that we have a quiet electric kit which will be used while there are other lessons occurring.

Retired Drinks Station

After receiving your feedback, we have decided to retire the drinks station in the waiting room and instead set up a 'homework zone'. We hope this will be useful for students and siblings in the waiting room. Parents are of course welcome to use it for work too 😉

Other Term Dates

Term 2 2026 runs from Monday 20th April to Sunday 5th July (inclusive).

Term 3 runs from Monday 20th July to Sunday 27th September (inclusive).

Term 4 runs from Monday 12th October until Sunday 20th December.

Expression of Interest for Other Events...

Due to the considerable cost of running recitals and workshops, this year we will only be going ahead with the following events if we achieve a minimum number of registrations. To help us plan, it would be extremely helpful if you could express your interest via the links below.

Mid-Year Student Recital + Teacher Showcase​
What: A shared recital event featuring student performances alongside performances by our teaching staff.
When: Saturday 27 June, 4:00pm–6:30pm
​ Where: Turramurra Uniting Church
Express interest here.​

End-of-Year Recitals​
What: A series of small-group, end-of-year recitals designed to provide a more intimate and supportive performance experience for students.
​

When:

Saturday 28 November 4:00pm

Sunday 29 November, 10:00am

Saturday 5 December, 4:00pm

Sunday 6 December, 4:00pm

​
​ Where: All Hands Piano Academy (Group Room)
​ Express interest here.​

AMEB Preparation Intensives (April and July School Holidays)​
​ What: A focused school-holiday program supporting students preparing for AMEB exams through aural skills, sight reading, performance practice, and mock exams.
​ When: April 15–17; July 8–10
​ Where: All Hands Piano Academy
​ Express interest here​

General Music Camp (October School Holidays)​
​ What: A school-holiday music camp open to all ages and stages, with activities and curriculum shaped by student and family interests.
​ When: Monday 5 October – Wednesday 7 October
​ Where: All Hands Piano Academy
​ Express interest here​

Looking forward to the year ahead ☺️!

Emma Stephenson

Founder | All Hands Piano Academy