Course Information | The Royal Conservatory of Music

Course Information

Discover how to instill a lifelong love of music in your elementary-level string students.

This guided online course follows a 10-week schedule and provides 40 hours of instruction from leading pedagogues, including Martin Beaver, Rebecca Henry, and Barry Shifman. New teachers will gain a solid foundation in teaching at the Elementary levels, with a focus on exploring the RCM Violin Syllabus and Series from Preparatory through to Level 4. Seasoned professionals will connect with a network of up to 25 like-minded peers and have opportunities to share teaching challenges and successes during weekly discussions. Participants will gain valuable insights, build a summative portfolio based on course assignments, and receive a certificate to display in the teaching studio. Course graduates who submit at least two successful string exam candidates at the required levels within two years of course completion and who have achieved RCM Level 8 or equivalent will be eligible to receive RCM Certified Teacher status at no additional cost.

Course Breakdown

Week 1: Fundamentals of String Pedagogy

During this introductory week, participants will reflect on the “why” behind their teaching by crafting teaching philosophy statements and studio policies. This unit also focusses on short-term and long-term SMART goal setting with students. Participants will prepare a lesson plan at the end of the week to submit for feedback and will engage in a discussion on teaching inspirations.
Week 2: Teaching Beginners: First Year of Lessons

This week focusses on the critical period in a students’ learning: their first year of lessons. Content includes creating a nurturing learning environment, instrument sizing, and strategies for setting up a student on the instrument. Insights and engaging activities are shared to encourage good habits in the left-hand set-up and balancing system of the bow. Various pedagogical approaches are discussed, including those by Paul Rolland, Shinichi Suzuki, and Colourstrings.
Week 3: Physical Approach

A healthy physical approach and a reliable technique are fundamental to success in playing a stringed instrument. The ability to play with technical control and freedom begins with the very first lesson and continues throughout the elementary years and beyond. Jennifer Johnson, author of “What Every Violinist Needs to Know About the Body” shares insights into Body Mapping from the early stages of learning the violin. The unit concludes with a case study in which participants apply their knowledge of Body Mapping to offer suggestions, assessments, and remedies for improved posture.
Weeks 4–8: Comprehensive Study at the Preparatory Level to Level 4

Weeks 4 through 8 explore each specific level, including technical, and musical development through the early years of playing. Selected etudes and repertoire excerpts are spotlighted and analyzed for their pedagogical merit. Ideas for how to work on etudes, repertoire, and technique in a methodical and engaging manner with students are shared. Healthy playing habits continue to be reinforced with Body Mapping knowledge each week as students gain new skills such as shifting, vibrato, and facility in the left hand. Renowned master teachers enrich the content with their pedagogical ideas in these units.
Week 9: Preparing Students for Success

Preparing students for success involves providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive beyond their weekly lessons. Topics include teaching memorization and intonation, fostering independence in learning, and practicing for performance. Baroque specialist, Ingrid Matthews, contributes content on Baroque dance and how to integrate this into playing, through breathing, bow direction, and gestures.
Week 10: RCM Certificate Program

Week 10 gives participants the chance to peek inside the exam room, gaining an in-depth understanding of the requirements for the Elementary levels and approaches to assessment. Participants are invited to create an exam program and study plan for students in Preparatory Level to Level 4This 10-week course delves into vital areas, including pedagogical approaches, setting up a nurturing learning environment, fostering good habits in technique, and preparing students for successful examinations.

Required Course Materials

The course materials required for The RCM Elementary Online Strings Teacher Course can be purchased from the RCM Online Bookstore.

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Preparatory Repertoire

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Repertoire 1

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Repertoire 2

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Repertoire 3

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Repertoire 4

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Violin Technique, Etudes, and Musicianship Preparatory–2

Violin Series, 2021 Edition: Violin Technique, Etudes, and Musicianship 3–4

Shop Bookstore

Enrollment Process

The course enrollment process has three steps, all online:

You create your teacher account or login to your existing account.
We check your teacher record for pre-requisites and the system offers the highest-level course for which you are eligible.
You acknowledge the Online Teacher Courses Terms and Conditions, pick a session start date, and enroll in the course by paying the tuition fee.

Mandatory Age Requirement: 16+ | Prerequisites: None (though Level 8 violin or equivalent is strongly recommended)

Session Dates and Enrollment Deadlines

2024 Sessions	Session Dates	Enrollment Deadline*
Summer 2024	June 5 – Aug 14, 2024	June 2, 2024
Fall 2024**	Sept 18 – Nov 27, 2024	Sept 11, 2024
Winter 2025	Jan 29 – April 9, 2025	Jan 22, 2025
Summer 2025	June 4 – Aug 13, 2025	May 28, 2025

*All applications must be submitted by midnight PST.

** For teachers who enroll in the fall cohort of the Online Strings Teacher Course, we are offering an exclusive in-person intensive session at The Royal Conservatory in Toronto on Friday, September 6, as part of our upcoming RCM Teaching Retreat!

Enroll Now

Transfers and Withdrawals

For detailed information about transfer fees and course withdrawal policies, please see our Online Teacher Course Terms and Conditions

FAQs

For additional information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions