The most innovative and creative pedagogy and business certification for instrumental music and voice teachers.
Equipping independent music teachers with the skills to succeed.
Now available in TopMusicPro Studio Plus Membership.
Choose your Certification Pathway
To cater for as many teachers as possible, TopMusic Certification is now available via two exciting learning pathways:
Our most hands-on, guided and supported certification pathway is completed over three months inside our flagship “12 Week Studio Transformation” Program. Join an immersive online cohort experience in January or July and experience our most transformative studio teaching program and become certified in the process.
If you’d like to approach TopMusic Certification at your own pace then you’ll find everything you need to do to qualify inside our Studio Plus membership tier. Follow our Certification Roadmap, access pre-recorded training videos, connect with our mentors when you have questions and set your own schedule for achievement and submission of your portfolio.
Read on to find out more.
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly battling imposter syndrome?
Questioning whether you’re doing enough for your students and if you truly belong in this profession?
Find yourself on the receiving end of remarks like: “glorified babysitter”, referring to your business as a “hobby”, or implying that you “have it easy” because you get to “play music all day”.
You’d be surprised how many of us have
experienced the same thing.
On top of that, there’s the crushing overwhelm of trying to meet the needs of your students while staying on top of the latest teaching methods. Trying to “be creative” while also teaching the fundamentals; while also developing individual learning plans; while also creating a welcoming environment; while keeping parents happy…
It can feel like a never-ending cycle of stress and worry, especially when it comes to attracting new students and keeping your studio thriving financially.
If only that was all of it…
But it’s not just about the business side of things. You also long to have more quality time with your family, to be present and enjoy the moments that matter most. Yet, too often, you find yourself consumed by the demands of your studio, leaving little room for personal and family life.
And in those moments, it can feel lonely.
You may question if anyone truly understands the challenges you face, if there are other teachers that struggle in the same ways. You may even question your passion, feeling motivation draining away or feeling unrecognised for the incredible work you do.
You’re on your own not alone.
At TopMusic, we’re a team of passionate music teachers who have experienced
those same struggles. Together, we’ve created the TopMusic Certification Program—a program designed to address your struggles head-on.
Introducing the TopMusic Certification Program
Underpinned by our comprehensive PRESTO Method, we’ll equip you with the knowledge and tools to overcome imposter syndrome and feel confident in your teaching. We’ll provide you with a clear roadmap, so you no longer have to question what to do next. And we’ll alleviate the overwhelm and confusion by guiding you through practical strategies that actually work.
We’ll also show you how to build a thriving studio that attracts students effortlessly, so that once your strategy is humming, you can focus more on teaching and less on marketing.
Most importantly, we offer a supportive community that understands your journey and celebrates your successes. Connect with fellow music teachers who have been where you are and can offer guidance and encouragement along the way. You’ll never feel alone in this endeavour.
It’s time to feel recognized and valued
as the professional educator that you are.
Join us in the TopMusic Certification Program, and let’s transform your
music teaching career together. Say goodbye to overwhelm, stress, and self-doubt,
and say hello to a fulfilling and rewarding path in music education.
Don’t just take our word for it:
Why Choose the TopMusic Certification Program?
🎓Unmatched Support and Community: As a Studio Plus member of TopMusicPro, you’ll be part of a group of the most passionate teachers from around the world, so you can foster strong connections, and share knowledge and experiences. Our program offers a supportive and collaborative environment where you can ask questions both privately and publicly and also get 1-on-1 help when you need it.
🎓Holistic Approach to Teaching: Experience the power of our Integrated Music Teaching Method™, where we seamlessly blend musical skills, knowledge, and creativity to nurture lifelong musicians. Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all approaches and hello to personalised learning paths tailored to your interests and studio needs.
🎓Assessment and Implementation: Unlike other programs, we don’t just assess your skills, but also provide the training resources you need to achieve the certification. No need to go off and find resources or hire a mentor/teacher to help you – we’re there for your support. Gain the credibility you deserve and receive a comprehensive studio success plan ready to rock!
Don’t overpay!
Here’s what you could spend elsewhere:
Virtual lessons with a master teacher
= $2,400
Attend a conference
+$500 accommodation,
+$1,200 food and travel
= $2,100
Get a BMus degree at a University
Or get your TopMusic Teacher Certification for just $99/month including full access to all our TopMusicPro resources inside Studio Plus.
Discover the Highlights of Our Program:
🌟 Knowledge Sharing Goldmine:
Connect with like-minded teachers, forming a supportive network of peers from across the globe. Benefit from invaluable knowledge-sharing opportunities and exchange experiences.
🌟 Perfect Blend of Pedagogy:
Our program equips you with the Integrated Music Teaching Method™, enabling you to teach holistically. Seamlessly blend musical skills, knowledge, and creativity to foster lifelong musicians.
🌟 Personalized Learning Path:
We understand that every teacher and student is unique. Choose the learning path that aligns with your interests and studio requirements, ensuring a customised experience.
🌟 Multi-Modal Assessment Portfolio:
Say goodbye to dull multiple-choice tests. Showcase your skills and self-reflection through a multi-modal assessment portfolio, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned directly to your studio and situation.
🌟 Harnessing the Power of Story and Curiosity:
Unlock the secrets of making meaningful connections between musical elements, captivating your students’ attention and keeping them engaged throughout the journey.
🌟 Business-Boosting Strategies:
Optimise your studio’s services, structure, policies, marketing, and financial systems to maximise efficiency, drive success and bring your goals within reach.
Join the TopMusic Certification Program and take
your music teaching career to new heights.
Who Should Join the TopMusic Certification Program?
Our certification program is perfect for private music instructors, studio owners who want to:
✨ Boost Confidence: Feel more confident as a music teacher and establish a strong reputation for your studio.
✨ Increase Credibility: Earn recognition for your skills and enhance your professional reputation.
✨ Attract Ideal Students: Fill your studio waitlist with quality students who are eager to learn.
✨ Optimise Studio Systems: Establish efficient systems and streamline your studio operations.
✨ Banish Imposter Syndrome: Overcome self-doubt and solidify your expertise as a professional music teacher.
✨ Achieve Studio Goals: Take your studio to new heights and achieve your long-term goals.
Unlock Your Potential and Secure Your Studio’s Future!
Here’s what other teachers are saying:
Bright-eyed and certified.
Maybe you’ve thought about getting a formal qualification before, but became disheartened that University courses are expensive and take up way too much time.
Becoming a TopMusic Certified Teacher costs a fraction of the price of other programs and we’ll give you all the resources and support you need to achieve it.
But we don’t skimp on content.
Read on to discover the incredible value you receive from embarking on your Certification Pathway through our Studio Plus program.
Follow the Roadmap.
The certification is about implementation. If you’ve felt overwhelmed by content in the past this is the perfect opportunity to put our materials to good use. We’ll help you apply our library of incredible resources to solve the issues you face in your studio.
If you’re already a TopMusicPro member, but struggled to put ideas into action then this program will enable you to finally implement the solutions that will make the most impact.
How we’re different from other certifications:
❌ NO MORE ‘one-size fits all’ assessment and trivial multi-choice tests!
Every music studio is unique with different strengths, needs and challenges.
✔️ Our multi-modal portfolio assessment is designed to help you consider your options and adopt the perfect solutions for your studio.
✔️ Case studies – choose a student profile to tailor a bespoke learning plan for.
✔️ Repertoire analysis – select a piece to analyse and answer questions on.
✔️ Systemise – design, implement and demonstrate a new studio system to increase your business’ efficiency.
✔️ Outreach – adopt, develop and demonstrate new marketing initiatives that will increase brand awareness and bring in new student enquiries.
❌ NO MORE “Good luck – you’re on your own!”
While other certifications set complex assessment criteria and leave you to decipher and conduct your research alone, with our program, you won’t have to struggle. We offer the resources you need AND a roadmap to follow to ensure your journey is clear, accessible, and comprehensive.
✔️ 1-on-1 help – have the chance to connect with one of our certification mentors free each month for personalised help and feedback.
✔️ Ask questions along the way – each month you’ll get an opportunity to ask any burning questions and get direct answers that apply to you in our Studio Plus meetups.
✔️ Full access to TopMusicPro -you’ll discover the full range of our video courses & resources that teachers around the world rave about!
✔️ 1-on-1 coaching – if you realise you might need more personalised help at any stage during your certification journey, book a longer 1-on-1 coaching session with one of our experienced facilitators to get unstuck and moving again. 😊
❌ NO MORE Fluff!
Unlike other music teacher certifications, we prioritise relevance to your specific studio needs. We won’t ask you to formulate teaching plans for children if you primarily teach adults; or demand a studio policy overhaul when your marketing plan needs work. Instead, we focus on areas that truly matter to you.
✔️ Modern curriculum – we go beyond fundamentals, empowering you to deliver engaging lessons to students with unique needs and challenged attention spans.
✔️ Suited to your needs – your studio is as individual as you are, with unique strengths and weaknesses. Our program meets you where you are.
✔️ Zero time-wasting – Save time with our practical problem-solving assessments rather than hypothetical scenarios that you’ll never use.
✔️ No fluff – just pure focused and relevant content.
❌ NO MORE Outdated models!
Teaching has undergone significant transformations in the last 20 years, influenced by shifts in student demographics, advancements in technology, the impact of phones and emerging research. Unlike outdated music teacher certifications that have remained unchanged for decades, TopMusic stays current with the ever-evolving landscape of music education. We work closely with teachers worldwide daily, allowing us to understand and address the burning issues of today.
✔️ Updated regularly – we listen to our teacher’s feedback and adjust our resources accordingly, ensuring that our material is always reflective of real-world experience of the moment.
✔️ By teachers, for teachers – every facet of the program has been passionately designed by our team of experienced music teachers and been student-tested. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk it.
✔️ Harnessing technology – though we love an acoustic, we’re not afraid to innovate and try the latest trends! Our program integrates a technology-curious attitude, keeping abreast of new softwares and tools but always translating them in a simple way.
❌ NO MORE limited possibilities!
✔️ Mix and match – Our program is method-agnostic, freeing you from the constraints of exam boards, associations or music publishers. We focus on empowering you to teach based on your own approach and objectives, without the pressure of committing to a particular syllabi or specific exams.
✔️ Blue sky thinking – Whether you have new ideas to explore, unique needs, or face limitations that call for innovative solutions, our program provides a safe space for creative thinking. Your cohort sessions will serve as the perfect sounding board, offering valuable support and feedback.
Our program delves deep into the core of music teaching and studio business, equipping you with the essential tools to initiate, innovate, and enhance your future impact.
By becoming a Certified TopMusic Teacher,
you’ll gain access to:
🔑 A comprehensive roadmap of ground-breaking professional development for music teachers.
🔑 All-access training and mentorshipof TopMusicPro membership guiding you along the way.
🔑 Opportunities for 1-on-1 and group connection and community.
🔑 A frame-worthy certificate to proudly display in your studio.
🔑 Digital badge of honour for your website and TopMusicPro profile.
🔑 Post-nominals ‘TMC’ (TopMusic Certified) to enhance your professional credentials.
Gain the skills, knowledge and credentials needed to excel in today’s
competitive music education landscape.
Check out our TopMusic Certified Teachers:
Our Exclusive PRESTO Curriculum Framework:
Pedagogy:
Achieve the perfect balance between classical training and creative exploration for any instrument through our Integrated Music Teaching™ approach. Learn to use flexible lesson plans that foster student inquiry and practical activities that establish deep connections between musical elements.
Repertoire:
Discover the right repertoire for students at all stages and ages, including methods, sheet music, collections, classical and pop repertoire. Stay current with a system that helps you choose the ideal repertoire for each student.
Educational Journey:
Design a tailored curriculum that caters to each student’s unique goals and interests. Connect the right pieces with their learning path and create a long-term plan for their musical development.
Studio Setup:
Master the often underrated, yet essential aspect of running a music teaching business. Learn how to structure your studio, optimise your finances, and create efficient systems that work for you.
Technique:
Explore multiple approaches to techniques that are available to you. Make informed choices by selecting the techniques that resonate with you and your students, allowing for customised instruction.
Outreach:
Stand out from the crowd and discover your studio’s unique selling points. Develop and implement marketing initiatives that increase brand awareness and attract new student inquiries.
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to teach creatively, engage students holistically, and establish a studio that stands out.
Turn Ideas Into Action With Our Assessments:
🚀 No More ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Assessments: Embrace our approach that acknowledges the uniqueness of each studio, its strengths, needs, and challenges.
🚀 Teaching Samples: Showcase your teaching ability through short videos demonstrating various areas of instruction.
🚀 Self-Reflection: Articulate your thought process, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
🚀 Case Studies: Tailor bespoke learning plans for students by selecting a student profile.
🚀 Repertoire Analysis: Analyse a chosen piece and provide answers to related questions.
🚀 Systemize: Design, implement, and demonstrate new studio systems to enhance business efficiency.
🚀 Outreach: Develop and demonstrate marketing initiatives that increase brand awareness and generate new student leads.
Join Studio Plus now and embark on a transformative journey of professional development with the TopMusic Certification.
Meet Your Certification Team:
Head of Certification
REBECCA “BEC” STEWART
Rebecca Stewart studied piano at Melbourne University. For 20 years, Rebecca taught with Yamaha Music Education Centres. She enjoyed being a national teacher trainer in the Yamaha method, and is a qualified practicing Yamaha grade examiner. Rebecca’s first book “Sight Reading Secrets Grade One” was published in 2004, and there are now nine books in the series. She believes that sight reading skills can be strengthened through integrating by-ear playing, improvisation, transposition, composition, singing and more!
Facilitator
Donna Hinkley
Donna runs a private piano studio with around 30 students in Victoria, Australia. She has been teaching for over 20 years, both in schools and at her home studio. She is a TopMusic Certified Teacher, holds a Diploma of Instrumental Teaching through ABRSM, and is a fully accredited member of the Victorian Music Teacher’s Association. Donna is dedicated to fostering connections with her students and nurturing joy through music. Her personalised teaching style centres around each student’s individual interests and learning needs, and she is passionate about supporting neurodivergent students.Outside of the studio, Donna lives with her husband and three teen/young adult children, as well as her pets (1 dog and 3 cats). She loves reading, cooking, spending time with family… and colouring her hair!
Facilitator
Anamarie Sabbagh
Anamarie Sabbagh has been teaching music since 1995 and has built a reputation as a premier studio for young learners. Her unique multinational background and fluency in multiple languages create a welcoming atmosphere that resonates within the community. Anamarie has presented internationally on her approach to both music education and studio management.
Instructional Designer
KIMBERLY SWANSON
After two years of teaching music in public schools and six years of teaching private piano and theory lessons, Kimberly transitioned into the field of Instructional Design. For her day job, Kimberly creates learning experiences for adult learners in corporate America. But she just can’t keep away from the music education world. She is partnering with TopMusic to create and launch the TopMusic Teacher Certification. This project allows her to fuse her passion for music, her experience as a music teacher, and her passion for educational psychology. Kimberly holds a Masters in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas as well as a Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
How long will it take?
- Once you commit to joining the program inside Studio Plus, you’ll have one year to submit the four units of the final portfolio. We set a 1-year deadline in order to encourage you to make regular progress during the year. Committing to a regular “Power Hour” is a great way to make regular progress. If you are unable to complete the requirements in 1 year, you can extend the deadline by another year on payment of a small fee.
Do I have to be a member of Studio Plus?
- Yes, in order for us to provide you with the resources, help and assessment, you need to remain a financial member of Studio Plus for as long as it takes you to complete the Certification. You can do this on either our monthly or annual membership plan.
Does this include live cohorts each week to help me make progress?
- No. In order to be part of a guided cohort achieving this program in 12 weeks, you’ll need to apply for our “12 Week Studio Transformation Program” here.
How much time will I need to commit each week?
- This depends on how quickly you’d like to become certified. We’ve had teachers complete this in as little as 2-3 months by committing at least 1-2 hours per week to the program. But it’s totally up to you. It also depends on how much learning you need to do prior to submitting your portfolio units.
What does the assessment entail?
- Assessment is by portfolio which is split into four units. We encourage teachers to submit their portfolio items for each unit as they are complete. Requirements vary between units but may include videos of your teaching, repertoire and method book analysis, case studies, lesson plans and other examples of progress.
- The units are as follows:
Unit 1: Pedagogy, Creativity & IMT.
Unit 2: Technique & Repertoire (prerequisite: Unit 1)
Unit 3: Educational Journey (prerequisite: Unit 2), Unit 4: Studio Setup & Outreach
I’ve never studied before, will I have to write essays?
- Our multimodal assessments are what makes this program truly accessible. This means if you’d rather write, you can write. If you’d rather submit a video telling us your answer, you can do that. This isn’t like University where you are judged on your grammar and footnotes. We look at the ideas first and foremost.
What level of support will I get inside Studio Plus?
- As part of being a Studio Plus member, you’ll be able to chat privately anytime with one of our facilitators through our exclusive messaging system and app. We also have a public forum for Studio Plus members to chat, ask questions and share progress. Each quarter you can also book 3 x 1-on-1 meetings with one of our facilitators for more personalised help. We also host two group meetings per month when you can ask questions about the certification or any other element of teaching or your studio business.
What happens if I fail the assessments?
- Our program gives you safe space to fail. If you submit a portfolio unit and it’s deemed to not be at the required standard, you will need to connect with one of our TMC facilitators for a paid 1-on-1 coaching session to help you understand where you need to improve before resubmitting. There is no limit to how many times you can submit a unit.
Is there supplemental reading required?
- There is a self-study portion to this program where you’ll be required to go through video courses with some reading required. However, any suggested additional texts are for your convenience and reference only and not part of your assessment criteria.
What kind of music teacher is this best suited for?
- This program is best for any music teacher who desires to make their teaching and studio work better for them, and better for their students. It’s suitable for teachers of all instruments, all backgrounds, all ages, all levels of experience; zero qualifications or multiple letters after your name; if you have goals you haven’t yet reached, or you feel things could be better; or you just want to finally have a credential and fancy certificate to display in your studio, this program is for you.
What do I get when I graduate?
- You get some fresh nominals to add to your name (“TMC”), a certificate you can print out and frame, a digital badge to proudly display inside the TMP membership. You’ll also be eligible to be nominated for the TopMusic Certified Teacher of the Year!
How much does it cost?
- Once your a Studio member, there is no extra cost to achieve TopMusic Certification. The only extra charges are if it takes you longer than 1 year to be assessed and/or if you fail any units (see above).
Will I need to renew?
- Your certification will need to be renewed every 2 years. To keep your Certification current, you’ll need to provide evidence of continued professional development every two years and pay an administration fee. However, if you remain a TMP member (Studio tier or higher), we can track your ongoing progress inside the membership which means no extra evidence is required from you and we will waive the renewal fee.
What is the qualification equivalent to? That is – is it aligned to other qualifications out there? Eg. ABRSM teaching diplomas / LCM teaching diplomas etc.
- No, there’s really no equivalent given what we’re creating is so different. However, we are familiar with all the exam board teacher certification and believe the outcomes are easily on-par with any of the teaching diplomas, whilst being much more relevant and accessible.