Improv Notes:
Get to Know Paul
Paul’s journey in music education started with a simple goal: to make piano lessons fun, relevant, and effective for every student. He’s co-authored over 30 books, trained thousands of teachers, and helped studios grow from part-time side hustles to thriving businesses.
As one of the minds behind Forte School of Music and Piano Teaching Success, Paul blends research with real-world teaching experience to help modern piano teachers navigate today’s challenges — from engaging Gen Alpha students to running efficient group piano classes.
Paul lives in Sydney, Australia, where he continues to coach teachers, run workshops, and pursue his PhD in sensory motor integration. When he’s not teaching, you’ll find him composing, running marathons, or mentoring studio owners.
Get to Know Paul
Paul’s journey in music education started with a simple goal: to make piano lessons fun, relevant, and effective for every student. He’s co-authored over 30 books, trained thousands of teachers, and helped studios grow from part-time side hustles to thriving businesses.
As one of the minds behind Forte School of Music and Piano Teaching Success, Paul blends research with real-world teaching experience to help modern piano teachers navigate today’s challenges — from engaging Gen Alpha students to running efficient group piano classes.
Paul lives in Sydney, Australia, where he continues to coach teachers, run workshops, and pursue his PhD in sensory motor integration. When he’s not teaching, you’ll find him composing, running marathons, or mentoring studio owners.
My Work is Rooted in One Thing: Helping Others Grow
I’ve always been passionate about learning — and just as passionate about helping others do the same. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats: teacher, performer, coach, business owner, composer, author, and facilitator. Each of these roles has given me a deeper understanding of how people learn, what motivates them, and how to help them succeed.
In 1994, I co-founded Forte School of Music — now a thriving network of music schools with over 8,000 students across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and the US. I work closely with our school owners to grow their businesses, train their teachers, and create studio cultures that support joyful, effective music learning.
Alongside my business work, I’ve co-authored many of Forte’s course books, developed our teacher training programs, and co-wrote the easiLEARNmusic textbooks — published by Hal Leonard in Australia and the UK. I regularly contribute to teaching magazines in both Australia and Britain, and I’m currently writing a book about the Whole Body Learning approach we use at Forte.
In 2019, I launched Piano Teaching Success with my long-time collaborator, Gillian Erskine.
Through PTS, we offer professional development programs like PTS TV and the Q+A series — all designed to help piano teachers thrive in their teaching and their business.
My Work is Rooted in One Thing: Helping Others Grow
I’ve always been passionate about learning — and just as passionate about helping others do the same. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats: teacher, performer, coach, business owner, composer, author, and facilitator. Each of these roles has given me a deeper understanding of how people learn, what motivates them, and how to help them succeed.
In 1994, I co-founded Forte School of Music — now a thriving network of music schools with over 8,000 students across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and the US. I work closely with our school owners to grow their businesses, train their teachers, and create studio cultures that support joyful, effective music learning.
Alongside my business work, I’ve co-authored many of Forte’s course books, developed our teacher training programs, and co-wrote the easiLEARNmusic textbooks — published by Hal Leonard in Australia and the UK. I regularly contribute to teaching magazines in both Australia and Britain, and I’m currently writing a book about the Whole Body Learning approach we use at Forte.
In 2019, I launched Piano Teaching Success with my long-time collaborator, Gillian Erskine.
Through PTS, we offer professional development programs like PTS TV and the Q+A series — all designed to help piano teachers thrive in their teaching and their business.
Workshops & Presentations
As a music teacher and presenter, one of my favourite things is working face-to-face with other educators. I’ve developed a range of interactive, practical workshops that I deliver at conferences, schools, and studios — all designed to help teachers deepen their skills, get inspired, and walk away with ideas they can use straight away.
- Improvisation and Composition Skills using Orff-Schulwerk Teaching Techniques - NCKP Conference 2025, 2023 (USA), Texas MTA & Canadian MTA Conference (2023).
- Innovative & Creative Teaching Workshop - sponsored by Trinity College London (AUS)
- Teaching Piano using Orff-Schulwerk & Whole Body Learning (2019 - 2025)
– AMEB - Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney (AUS)
– ABRSM - presented in Kent & Cardiff UK, Hong Kong & Online
– Royal Irish Academy of Music - Dublin
– commissioned by Trinity College (London) for Australia, New Zealand and the UK
- Group Piano Live 2024/2025 - Conference in Texas on Group Piano with Debra Pérez
- Group Piano Teaching Presentation - NCKP 2023, 2025
- Teaching Kids Piano in the 2020s – Practical Hands-on Workshop (AUS, UK, USA)
- Aural & Theory Tool Kit – Theory Fundaments Presentation (Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore & UK)
Workshops & Presentations
As a music teacher and presenter, one of my favourite things is working face-to-face with other educators. I’ve developed a range of interactive, practical workshops that I deliver at conferences, schools, and studios — all designed to help teachers deepen their skills, get inspired, and walk away with ideas they can use straight away.
- Improvisation and Composition Skills using Orff-Schulwerk Teaching Techniques - NCKP Conference 2025, 2023 (USA), Texas MTA & Canadian MTA Conference (2023).
- Innovative & Creative Teaching Workshop - sponsored by Trinity College London (AUS)
- Teaching Piano using Orff-Schulwerk & Whole Body Learning (2019 - 2025)
– AMEB - Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney (AUS)
– ABRSM - presented in Kent & Cardiff UK, Hong Kong & Online
– Royal Irish Academy of Music - Dublin
– commissioned by Trinity College (London) for Australia, New Zealand and the UK
- Group Piano Live 2024/2025 - Conference in Texas on Group Piano with Debra Pérez
- Group Piano Teaching Presentation - NCKP 2023, 2025
- Teaching Kids Piano in the 2020s – Practical Hands-on Workshop (AUS, UK, USA)
- Aural & Theory Tool Kit – Theory Fundaments Presentation (Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore & UK)
Piano Teaching Programs & Courses to Help You Grow
NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE STARTING FROM
The Studio
A professional development and coaching membership designed to support experienced and aspiring piano teachers. Inside The Studio, members get ongoing access to monthly masterclasses, resources, teaching tools, and a global network of like-minded educators.
Teaching Piano to Today's Beginners Course
A short, practical course that helps piano teachers connect with Gen Alpha students and set up successful beginner lessons from day one. This course blends research-based strategies with real-world teaching examples to help teachers engage, inspire, and retain new students.
Group Piano University
A high-level mentoring program for piano teachers ready to transition from 1:1 lessons to dynamic group teaching. Group Piano University offers proven systems, expert coaching, and real classroom support to help teachers teach better, earn more, and love their career again.
Piano Teaching Programs & Courses to Help You Grow
NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE STARTING FROM
The Studio
A professional development and coaching membership designed to support experienced and aspiring piano teachers. Inside The Studio, members get ongoing access to monthly masterclasses, resources, teaching tools, and a global network of like-minded educators.
Teaching Piano to Today's Beginners Course
A short, practical course that helps piano teachers connect with Gen Alpha students and set up successful beginner lessons from day one. This course blends research-based strategies with real-world teaching examples to help teachers engage, inspire, and retain new students.
Group Piano University
A high-level mentoring program for piano teachers ready to transition from 1:1 lessons to dynamic group teaching. Group Piano University offers proven systems, expert coaching, and real classroom support to help teachers teach better, earn more, and love their career again.
A few things you might like to know...
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I co-created the Whole Body Learning approach.
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I’ve co-authored more than 30 music education books.
-
I’m completing my PhD in sensory motor integration.
-
I’ve taught thousands of students and coached hundreds of teachers.
-
I speak at music education conferences across the world.
-
I’m also a runner, music nerd, and forever curious about how we learn.
A few things you might like to know...
-
I co-created the Whole Body Learning approach.
-
I’ve co-authored more than 30 music education books.
-
I’m completing my PhD in sensory motor integration.
-
I’ve taught thousands of students and coached hundreds of teachers.
-
I speak at music education conferences across the world.
-
I’m also a runner, music nerd, and forever curious about how we learn.
People Say the Nicest Things
Pushed us out of our comfort zone but never felt uncomfortable.
“Your session provided a physical and mental ‘wake-up’; a space for working in pairs and as a team, and a positive way of provoking thoughts and discussion about learning. You pushed the team out of their comfort zone but in a way that was never uncomfortable. Most importantly, the session was fun, entertaining, and enlightening! Your zest and enthusiasm for the activities and learning they were based on were utterly infectious.”
– Dr Rebecca Sutherland, Teachers & Psychologists Workshop NSW Education Department.
Outstanding and innovative music teacher.
“Paul is an outstanding and innovative music teacher. He is endlessly curious in research about all aspects of learning in music.”
– Dr Robyn Staveley, Education Lecturer University of Technology, Sydney. (Retired)
Paul brings fun, practical ideas teachers can use straight away.
"Paul Myatt has co-presented several successful pedagogy courses on Orff-Schulwerk using the Trinity College piano syllabus. He is a well-informed pedagogue who brings a sense of fun and excitement to learning, offering teachers practical, hands-on activities that can be used in lessons immediately. His workshops offer teachers an insight into current pedagogical approaches and technology.”
– Barry Walmsley Head of Trinity College (Australia)
People Say the Nicest Things
Pushed us out of our comfort zone but never felt uncomfortable.
“Your session provided a physical and mental ‘wake-up’; a space for working in pairs and as a team, and a positive way of provoking thoughts and discussion about learning. You pushed the team out of their comfort zone but in a way that was never uncomfortable. Most importantly, the session was fun, entertaining, and enlightening! Your zest and enthusiasm for the activities and learning they were based on were utterly infectious.”
– Dr Rebecca Sutherland, Teachers & Psychologists Workshop NSW Education Department.
Outstanding and innovative music teacher.
“Paul is an outstanding and innovative music teacher. He is endlessly curious in research about all aspects of learning in music.”
– Dr Robyn Staveley, Education Lecturer University of Technology, Sydney. (Retired)
Paul brings fun, practical ideas teachers can use straight away.
"Paul Myatt has co-presented several successful pedagogy courses on Orff-Schulwerk using the Trinity College piano syllabus. He is a well-informed pedagogue who brings a sense of fun and excitement to learning, offering teachers practical, hands-on activities that can be used in lessons immediately. His workshops offer teachers an insight into current pedagogical approaches and technology.”
– Barry Walmsley Head of Trinity College (Australia)
Want to Keep Students More Engaged in Lessons?
Engagement is one of the biggest challenges in teaching today’s students — and it’s something I care deeply about.
In this short (and practical!) guide, I’ll share research-backed strategies you can start using right away to make your lessons more fun, focused, and effective.
This isn’t fluffy theory. These are tips that work — in real studios, with real kids.
Want to Keep Students More Engaged in Lessons?
Engagement is one of the biggest challenges in teaching today’s students — and it’s something I care deeply about.
In this short (and practical!) guide, I’ll share research-backed strategies you can start using right away to make your lessons more fun, focused, and effective.
This isn’t fluffy theory. These are tips that work — in real studios, with real kids.
As Seen In...
As Seen In...
