Classical sheet music and method books open on a sunlit wooden table

“…He’s excellent at working with different skill levels…”

— Natalie B., East Cobb

The Curriculum

Eight levels from first notes to Chopin, and more than 350 pieces to choose from.

Explore the Levels
How It Works

Students stay motivated when they know what comes next.

I developed this eight-level system over more than twenty years of teaching. Each level has clear expectations in repertoire, technique, theory and sight-reading, and advancement is based on real progress, not age or time spent.

The lists below are a guide, not a checklist. No student plays every piece. We choose together, based on each student’s goals and taste, so practice feels purposeful and the music stays worth playing.

  1. 01

    Repertoire

    A classical core from Bach to Debussy, alongside modern romantic pieces, film music, jazz and pop, all taught with the same care.

  2. 02

    Technique

    Scales, cadences and arpeggios grow level by level, from five-finger patterns to every key across four octaves.

  3. 03

    Theory & Reading

    Fluent reading, and written theory from Keith Snell and Martha Ashleigh’s Fundamentals of Piano Theory, so students understand the music they play.

  4. 04

    Performance

    Two studio recitals a year, and for those who want more, CMTA festivals and GMTA auditions.

Recognition

Milestones worth earning.

Every award marks a level completed and the step up to the next: a medal for each of Levels One through Four, a trophy for Five and Six, and the Crystal Award for Level Seven, which opens Level Eight. Awards are presented at the annual Spring recital, not as participation prizes, but as markers of genuine accomplishment.

  1. 01FoundationsMedal
  2. 02ElementaryMedal
  3. 03Late ElementaryMedal
  4. 04Early IntermediateMedal
  5. 05IntermediateTrophy
  6. 06Late IntermediateTrophy
  7. 07Early AdvancedCrystal Award
  8. 08AdvancedAdvanced Study

Taking part in the studio recitals makes a student eligible for the year’s curriculum awards.

The Repertoire

Gathered from around the world, chosen one piece at a time.

The music in this curriculum has been collected over more than twenty years, from composers in Germany and Ukraine to Japan and Korea. Some of it isn’t published in the United States, and much of it is music most students, and many teachers, have never heard.

Every piece has earned its place. Each one is beautifully written, rewarding to learn, and proven, student after student, to keep young pianists excited to practice.

And each one sits where it belongs. The order has been refined through years of trial and error, so every piece builds the skills the next one will ask for.

Foundations

Level One

Medal

The first lessons build the habits everything else rests on: a relaxed hand, a steady pulse, and real note reading instead of finger numbers. Short, tuneful pieces from the method books make every week feel like progress.

Core
Faber Piano Adventures, Primer and Level 1
Rhythm
Winning Rhythms, Edward L. Ayola
Reading
Note Rush, a game that listens as the student plays each note
Technique
Posture, hand shape and five-finger patterns
Theory
Note names, steps and skips, and basic rhythm, built into the method books

Core Materials

  1. Piano Adventures, Primer & Level 1Nancy & Randall Faber
  2. Winning RhythmsEdward L. Ayola
  3. Note RushNote-reading app

Elementary

Level Two

Medal

Character pieces join the method books: French miniatures by Daniel Hellbach, pieces by Mira Şentürk, and classics like Schytte’s The Harp. Hands begin to travel around the keyboard, and dynamics and phrasing become part of every piece.

Core
Faber Piano Adventures through Level 2B, or Accelerated Piano Adventures (Lesson and Performance) for older beginners
Technique
Five-finger patterns and triads in major keys
Theory
Intervals, key signatures and rhythm, alongside the method books

From the Repertoire

  1. Fête au châteauDaniel Hellbach
  2. Song of the SeaMira Şentürk
  3. The HarpLudvig Schytte
  4. Brave Sea CaptainKevin Olson
  5. Goblin ChaseDaniel McFarlane
  6. Minuet of a PrincessMira Şentürk
The full Level Two repertoire17 pieces

Character Pieces

  • Daniel HellbachEn colère · Fête au château · Nuages dans le ciel · Wishful · On the River Bank (Am Flussufer) · Maraudeur
  • Mira ŞentürkSong of the Sea · Minuet of a Princess

Performance Pieces

  • Brave Sea Captain Kevin Olson
  • Congo River Journey Elizabeth Borowsky
  • Consciousness Elizabeth Borowsky
  • Softly Whisper
  • The Harp Ludvig Schytte
  • Allegro Vivo Piano Safari
  • The Brook in the Woods
  • Daniel McFarlaneGoblin Chase · Elevate: Three

Late Elementary

Level Three

Medal

The method books finish with Piano Adventures 3A and 3B, and the repertoire opens up: Gillock, Catherine Rollin, Mira Şentürk and a shelf of Hellbach pieces in pop and lyrical styles. Written theory begins.

Core
Faber Piano Adventures 3A–3B; Diane Hidy’s Attention Grabbers, Books 2 and 3; Alfred’s Premier Piano Course 4 when needed
Technique
One-octave major scales and primary chords
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Preparatory (Keith Snell and Martha Ashleigh)

From the Repertoire

  1. Spanish Dance (Danza Española)Catherine Rollin
  2. MoonlightWilliam Gillock
  3. Mission BellsWilliam Gillock
  4. He’s a Pirate!Klaus Badelt
  5. Arabian NightsJeanne Costello
  6. Hello Mr. PachelbelDaniel Hellbach
The full Level Three repertoire37 pieces

Performance Pieces

  • Poseidon’s Palace Elizabeth Borowsky
  • Ivory Pegasus
  • He’s a Pirate! Klaus Badelt
  • By the Seaside
  • Black Widow Waltz Diane Hidy
  • A Pleasant Morning, Op. 63 No. 1 Jean Louis Streabbog
  • Arabian Nights Jeanne Costello
  • Spanish Dance (Danza Española) Catherine Rollin
  • The Great Smoky Mountains David Carr Glover
  • Lotus Flowers in the Wind William Scher
  • Nitro Daniel McFarlane
  • Rhapsody Jennifer Lynn
  • William GillockFrench Doll · Moonlight · Mission Bells
  • Barbara ArensPrelude I · Prelude III · Prelude IX
  • Mira ŞentürkStory of the Wind · Story of the Sky · Faded

Daniel Hellbach

  • Daniel HellbachPrelude in C Major · Pop Song · Misty · Aquarelle · Anthem · Mystery · Gentle Rain · April Flower · Lounge in the Sun · Autumn Days · Summer Rain · On the Move · Celebration · Light and Shadow · Soft Waves · Hello Mr. Pachelbel

Early Intermediate

Level Four

Medal

The first true classical repertoire: minuets from the Anna Magdalena Notebook, Clementi’s Sonatina in C, Burgmüller and Schumann, beside modern romantic and pop pieces. Major scales stretch to four octaves, and students play their first duets.

Technique
White-key major scales and cadences, four octaves
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 1

From the Repertoire

  1. Minuet in G majorAnna Magdalena Notebook
  2. Sonatina in C, Op. 36 No. 1Clementi
  3. ArabesqueBurgmüller
  4. The Wild HorsemanSchumann
  5. Old French SongTchaikovsky
  6. Spinning SongAlbert Ellmenreich
The full Level Four repertoire71 pieces

Baroque

  • Notebook for Anna Magdalena BachMinuets in G major · Minuet in G minor, BWV Anh. 115 (Petzold) · Musette in D major

Classical

  • Sonatina in C, Op. 36 No. 1 Clementi
  • Sonatina in G Beethoven
  • Écossaise in G Beethoven
  • Sonatina in A minor Benda
  • Burleske Leopold Mozart
  • Für Elise (theme) Beethoven
  • A Short Story Heinrich Lichner
  • Écossaise Hummel

Romantic

  • BurgmüllerBallade · Innocence · Harmony of the Angels · Arabesque
  • The Orphan, Op. 64 No. 4 Streabbog
  • SchumannThe Wild Horseman · The Happy Farmer
  • The Secret Garden Tansman
  • Novelette romantique, Op. 176 No. 18 Duvernoy
  • Old French Song Tchaikovsky
  • Spinning Song Albert Ellmenreich
  • The Clown, Op. 39 No. 20 Kabalevsky

Modern Romantic

  • Oxana KrutVariations on a Ukrainian Folk Song · Excitement
  • Timothy BrownScherzino · Danza Española
  • Jeanine YeagerPrelude No. 3 · Prelude No. 4
  • Martha MierThe Magic Garden · Romance
  • Russell OleshWaltz in A minor · Bittersweet
  • Daniel McFarlaneFairytale · Elevate: Five · Final Hope
  • Catherine RollinSpanish Nocturne · French Movie Waltz · Bal du moulin de la Galette
  • William GillockBarcarolle · Journey in the Night
  • Merlin’s Magic Mountain Elizabeth Borowsky
  • Sea Voyage Mary Leaf
  • Van Gogh Virginio Aiello, arr. Gabriel Piano
  • Little Sentimental Prelude No. 38, “Love” Galina Bobrova

Modern Sentimental

  • Daniel HellbachNostalgia · Yearning · Dreaming · Rainy Days · Longing · Raindrops on the Window · Gentle Waves · Evening Breeze · Autumn Colors · Jasmine Colors · Deeply Moved · September Rain · Mystical Island · Flowing

Pop & Contemporary

  • Daniel HellbachFury · Come On · High Voltage · Hard Rock
  • Inspector Smart
  • Carmen: Theme and Variations
  • Theme and Variations
  • Autumn Leaves arr. James Wolff
  • The Juggler William Gillock

Duets & Seasonal

  • Enchanted Raindrops (duet)
  • Scherzo & Allegro, Op. 149 No. 6 (duet) Diabelli
  • Witches and Wizards Christine Donkin

Intermediate

Level Five

Trophy

Bach’s inventions and the Prelude in C, Für Elise, Chopin’s Waltz in A minor and Kabalevsky’s Toccatina, with nocturnes, film music and Yiruma alongside. Scales, cadences and arpeggios in major and minor keys.

Technique
White-key major and minor scales, cadences and arpeggios, four octaves
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 2

From the Repertoire

  1. Prelude in C major, WTC IJ. S. Bach
  2. Invention No. 1 in C majorJ. S. Bach
  3. Für EliseBeethoven
  4. SolfeggiettoC. P. E. Bach
  5. Waltz in A minorChopin
  6. Gymnopédie No. 1Satie
  7. Comptine d’un autre étéTiersen
The full Level Five repertoire77 pieces

Baroque

  • J. S. BachPrelude in C minor · Prelude in C major, WTC I · Invention No. 1 in C major · Prelude in F major
  • Sarabande and Variations Handel
  • Presto Thomas Arne

Classical

  • Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 3 Clementi
  • Sonatina in A minor Diabelli
  • Sonatina, Op. 55 No. 1 Kuhlau
  • Solfeggietto C. P. E. Bach
  • Für Elise Beethoven

Romantic

  • ChopinWaltz in A minor (posth.) · Polonaise in G minor
  • BurgmüllerThe Storm, Op. 109 · Tarantella, Op. 100
  • Scherzo in D minor Gurlitt
  • Fantasy Dance Schumann
  • Waltz in A‑flat Schubert
  • MaykaparThe Blacksmith, Op. 8 No. 5 · Prelude in E minor
  • Lyric Waltz Shostakovich

Modern Romantic

  • Lyric Preludes in Romantic Style William Gillock
  • Timothy BrownDance of the Wind · The Approaching Storm · Daydreaming
  • Oxana KrutThe Storm · Pursuit (Toccata) · Winter Waltz · The Big Golden Fish · Dwarf House
  • Adventure of the Planets Elizabeth Borowsky
  • Time Traveler Kevin Olson
  • Daniel HellbachJardin du Luxembourg · Song Without Words · Waltz in A major
  • Serenade Valery Korovitsyn
  • Mira ŞentürkImpromptu · Substance · Gravitation · Hope · Whirlwind

20th Century

  • KabalevskyToccatina, Op. 27 No. 12 · Sonatina
  • Gymnopédie No. 1 Satie
  • A Kitten’s Agenda Christine Donkin

Pop & Contemporary

  • Daniel McFarlaneThe Machine I & II · First Strike
  • Graffiti Barbara Arens
  • Toccata in F minor Robert Vandall
  • Daniel HellbachAgitation · Pop Prelude · Weekend Fever · Thunderbolt · Running Hard · Disco Time
  • Fallen Down Toby Fox, arr. Gabriel Piano
  • Incognito (Jazz Nocturne) Jason Sifford

Modern Sentimental

  • Passacaglia Handel–Halvorsen
  • Lyric Moments Catherine Rollin
  • Midday on the Champs-Élysées Eugénie Rocherolle
  • First Snow George Peter Tingley
  • River Flows in You Yiruma
  • Over the Rainbow Harold Arlen
  • Holiday in Paris William Gillock
  • Illusions David Hicken
  • Daniel HellbachRomance · Nocturne in C minor · Nocturne in B minor · Nocturne in E minor · Nocturne in G major · Butterflies · Idyll
  • Comptine d’un autre été Yann Tiersen
  • Noctilunes Nos. 1–3 Claudio Constantini
  • Corazón de niño Raúl di Blasio
  • Little Sentimental Prelude No. 3 Galina Bobrova
  • Fairytale (from Shrek) arr. Paul

Late Intermediate

Level Six

Trophy

Mozart’s Sonata in C, K. 545, the “Moonlight” Sonata, Chopin’s Waltz in B minor and Debussy, with film scores, jazz, Disney and anime arrangements at full strength. Scales in every major and minor key.

Technique
Major and minor scales, cadences and arpeggios, four octaves
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 3

From the Repertoire

  1. Sonata in C major, K. 545Mozart
  2. “Moonlight” SonataBeethoven
  3. Waltz in B minorChopin
  4. Doctor Gradus ad ParnassumDebussy
  5. To a Wild RoseMacDowell
  6. Maple Leaf RagScott Joplin
  7. Kiss the RainYiruma
The full Level Six repertoire84 pieces

Baroque

  • J. S. BachInvention in D minor · Invention in F major · Invention in A minor · Gigue in B‑flat major
  • Sonatina in A minor Handel

Classical

  • Sonata in C major, K. 545 Mozart
  • Scherzando Kuhlau
  • “Moonlight” Sonata Beethoven

Romantic

  • Waltz in B minor Chopin
  • MacDowellAlla Tarantella · To a Wild Rose, Op. 51 No. 1
  • Tarantella in A minor Albert Pieczonka
  • Butterfly
  • Arietta, Op. 12 No. 1 Grieg
  • Kinderstücke Mendelssohn
  • Carl KöllingHungary (Rhapsodie mignonne), Op. 410 · Fluttering Leaves
  • Crescendo Per Lasson
  • Valse noble in A minor Schubert
  • Je te veux Satie

Modern Romantic

  • Valse Étude William Gillock
  • Elizabeth BorowskyFlight of the Peri · In Motion
  • Mediterranean Dreams Russell Olesh
  • Oxana KrutUkrainian Fantasy · Ukrainian Toccata · On the Black Sea · Magic Fountain
  • David HickenWaltz in D minor · Père Lachaise

20th Century

  • DebussyLe petit nègre · Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
  • Sleigh Ride (duet) Leroy Anderson

Pop & Contemporary

  • Daniel HellbachSpeedway · Galaxy · Postcard from Chicago · Feeling Groovy · City Lights · Hold Together
  • arr. Katherine CordovaGolden Hour · Viva la Vida · Somewhere Only We Know
  • Tico-Tico Barton
  • arr. Gabriel PianoRunaway · Beanie

Contemporary Lyrical

  • Kiss the Rain Yiruma
  • Rainy Day Niu Niu
  • Almost a Flower Matsui
  • Comptine Yann Tiersen, arr. Kyle Landry
  • La Maritza Jean Renard
  • Daniel HellbachNocturne in B‑flat major · Waltz in B major · Nocturne in C‑sharp minor · Nocturne in G‑flat major · Tears · Consolation · Lending Wings · Flowing Waters · Sad Story

Film Themes

  • Beauty and the Beast Alan Menken, arr. Kyle Landry
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Welcome to Jurassic Park John Williams
  • Interstellar Hans Zimmer
  • Now We Are Free (Gladiator) Zimmer, Gerrard & Badelt
  • Theme from Schindler’s List John Williams
  • The Avengers Alan Silvestri
  • Time (Inception) Hans Zimmer, arr. Katherine Cordova
  • Once Upon a December
  • Mission: Impossible Lalo Schifrin, arr. David Hicken
  • Skyfall
  • Squid Game: Jump Rope Song

Anime

  • Joe HisaishiSummer · Merry-Go-Round of Life · One Summer’s Day
  • Golden

Jazz

  • Linus and Lucy (Charlie Brown) Vince Guaraldi
  • Maple Leaf Rag Scott Joplin
  • Village Musicians

Disney

  • Bella Notte Sonny Burke
  • When You Wish Upon a Star Leigh Harline
  • Le Festin
  • A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes arr. Kyle Landry
  • Winnie the Pooh Sherman Brothers
  • So This Is Love

Early Advanced

Level Seven

Crystal Award

Preludes and fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier, sonata movements by Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn, Chopin’s Nocturne in C‑sharp minor and Clair de lune: the contrasting repertoire students bring to CMTA and GMTA auditions. Completing it earns the Crystal Award and the step into Level Eight.

Technique
All major and minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves, and the chromatic scale
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 4

From the Repertoire

  1. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, WTC IJ. S. Bach
  2. Fantasia in D minor, K. 397Mozart
  3. Nocturne in C‑sharp minorChopin
  4. Clair de luneDebussy
  5. AsturiasAlbéniz
  6. Rustle of SpringSinding
  7. Wedding Day at TroldhaugenGrieg
The full Level Seven repertoire62 pieces

Baroque

  • Sonata in B minor Scarlatti
  • J. S. BachPrelude and Fugue No. 2 in C minor, WTC I · Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B‑flat major, WTC I

Classical

  • Selected sonata movements Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn
  • Fantasia in D minor, K. 397 Mozart
  • Sonatina in A major, Op. 59 No. 1: Rondo Kuhlau

Romantic

  • Nocturne in C‑sharp minor (posth.) Chopin
  • Shadow Dance MacDowell
  • Nocturne in C‑sharp minor Tchaikovsky
  • Valses poéticos Granados
  • The Birch Tree Sibelius
  • Hunting Song Mendelssohn
  • Rustle of Spring Sinding
  • Impromptus, D. 899 Schubert
  • Minuet in G minor Handel, arr. Kempff
  • GriegWedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op. 65 No. 6 · Prelude from the Holberg Suite, Op. 40 · Notturno
  • Étude in D minor, Op. 1 Liszt
  • Le Regret (Valse-Étude mélancolique), Op. 332 Charles Mayer
  • Étude, Op. 50 No. 22 Henri Ravina
  • Asturias (Suite española) Albéniz
  • Impromptu in C‑sharp minor Hugo Reinhold
  • Raging Torrent, Op. 33 Maykapar
  • Étude, Op. 740 No. 27 Czerny
  • Ukrainian Lullaby Oxana Krut
  • Selected works Ginastera

20th Century

  • DebussyArabesque No. 1 · Clair de lune · Golliwogg’s Cake-walk
  • Misty Erroll Garner
  • Romeo and Juliet Prokofiev

Pop & Contemporary

  • Black or White arr. Peter Bence
  • David HickenQueen and Country · Captain Sharpe · Talavera · The Quest
  • arr. Gabriel PianoRunaway · Die with a Smile · Every Living Breathing Moment
  • Bohemian Rhapsody
  • Believer
  • Ultimate Price
  • Wellerman arr. Scott Bradlee
  • Spring with You Teich

Anime & Games

  • Yuri on Ice arr. Animenz
  • Sparkle RADWIMPS, arr. Theishter
  • A Town with an Ocean View Joe Hisaishi, arr. Kyle Landry
  • Bygone Days trans. Paul
  • Tanjiro no Uta (Demon Slayer)
  • Alicia (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Lorien Testard, arr. Theishter
  • Baka Mitai arr. Theishter

Film Themes

  • Cinema Paradiso Ennio Morricone
  • How to Train Your Dragon John Powell
  • Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas) Alan Menken, arr. Kyle Landry
  • Imperial March John Williams
  • Duel of the Fates John Williams
  • Someday My Prince Will Come Frank Churchill, arr. Kyle Landry
  • La La Land Justin Hurwitz
  • Star Wars John Williams
  • Por una cabeza Carlos Gardel
  • Back to the Future Alan Silvestri

Advanced

Level Eight

The heart of the concert repertoire: Bach’s English and French Suites, complete sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn, and the great Romantic and modern composers, alongside virtuosic arrangements of film and anime music.

Technique
Scales and arpeggios in every key at performance tempo
Theory
Fundamentals of Piano Theory, Level 5 and beyond

From the Repertoire

  1. English & French SuitesJ. S. Bach
  2. “Pathétique” Sonata, Op. 13Beethoven
  3. Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66Chopin
  4. Liebestraum No. 3Liszt
  5. Prelude in C‑sharp minor, Op. 3 No. 2Rachmaninoff
  6. Children’s CornerDebussy
  7. The LarkGlinka, arr. Balakirev
The full Level Eight repertoire33 pieces

Baroque

  • Movements from the English and French Suites J. S. Bach

Classical

  • Sonata in F major, K. 332 Mozart
  • Sonata in E‑flat major, Hob. XVI:49 Haydn
  • BeethovenSonata in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 · “Pathétique” Sonata, Op. 13 · “Waldstein” Sonata, Op. 53

Romantic

  • ChopinFantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66 · Nocturne in E‑flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 · Prelude in C minor, Op. 28 No. 20
  • Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118 Brahms
  • LisztLiebestraum No. 3 · Dance of the Gnomes
  • RachmaninoffPrelude in C‑sharp minor, Op. 3 No. 2 · Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5
  • MacDowellÉtude de concert · Witches’ Dance · Prelude in E minor
  • The Lark Glinka, arr. Balakirev

20th Century

  • DebussyChildren’s Corner · Passepied (Suite bergamasque)
  • Gaspard de la nuit Ravel
  • Selected works Prokofiev & Bartók

Concert Arrangements

  • Glassy Sky Theishter
  • Unravel TK, arr. Animenz
  • Incantation David Hicken
  • Great Fairy Fountain (Zelda) Kyle Landry
  • Rainbow Miu
  • arr. Jarrod RadnichPirates of the Caribbean Medley · Harry Potter
  • Piano Concerto No. 2, first movement Rachmaninoff, arr. Lotus Flower
  • Bad arr. Peter Bence
  • Sparkle RADWIMPS, arr. Theishter
  • The Moon Represents My Heart arr. Paul Hankinson
“My son has made so much progress since he started with Mr. Palmer 5 months ago. He had 2 other piano teachers in the past and never made this much progress so quickly. My son loves it that Mr. Palmer gives him choices about which pieces they will focus on.”
— Rachel W., Roswell • Google Review
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