How PianoExpress Originated

PianoExpress was devised and developed by Helen Kennedy, a Sydney pianist and teacher. Helen believes that because music plays such a significant role in people's lives, playing the piano should be within most people's reach no matter what their age. Not only is music important to our well-being but also the ability to play an instrument enriches one's life immeasurably - inwardly, socially and culturally. Combining her extensive experience and knowledge as a trained pianist, teacher and also a 'natural' musician, Helen has produced a remarkably fast-track, highly enjoyable and user-friendly system for adults.

Years ago, after leaving the suburbs and establishing a new practice in the city, Helen's teaching took on a radical turn. She found that many of the enquiries she received were from young career-oriented adults who lived in apartments in the city and nearby urban areas. To cater to their busy lifestyles, she developed an express-style course that, she hoped, would be appealing and achieve good results quickly.

Helen knew that traditional methods of teaching piano tend to be mostly unsuccessful for adults as they fail to take into account the fact that most adults don't have much time to practise. These methods place too many obstacles in the way of successful learning by making it a never-ending story. They take out much of the spontaneity and pleasure one should experience with music. But most significantly, Helen knew that the long-established regimes, as used for children to exact examination success, are often the road-to-discouragement for adults. 

Natural Techniques make Learning Fast

The result was 'PianoExpress' and, ten years on, this unique system is a proven success story for adult music education with outstanding testimonials from students, many of whom have gone through the complete course and still continue to learn. Having seen hundreds of students succeed over the years, Helen knows the secrets to achieving great results within a short period of time.

PianoExpress not only gets great results but also brings incredible pleasure into the lives of its students. By using natural learning processes and techniques combined with a methodology that connects powerfully to the adult intellect, Helen has been able to tap the vital links necessary for adults to learn rapidly.

About it's Founder

Helen's background in music encompasses performance, teaching and consultation. When younger she undertook diploma examinations through the Australian Music Examinations Board. Following piano studies with Igor Hmelnitsky, she later graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Diploma in Music Teaching receiving the merit award for high distinction.

Aside from being a highly trained classical pianist, Helen is also a 'natural' musician having the ability to play by ear. Being easily able to play virtually any style of music has been an integral and gratifying part of her life, not only enriching it but also creating extraordinary opportunities for her. Having this ability has also been a huge asset as a teacher in being able to help students develop as musicians. Most natural musicians would not be able to tell you exactly the processes that facilitate their ability because it all 'seems to come so naturally', however, Helen has tapped into her own ability and developed natural techniques that promote effective learning.

As a pianist, Helen has performed at most of Sydney's top venues and concert halls many times over and also overseas in England and in the USA. She has performed for countless public concerts, national and international functions including several associated with the Sydney Olympics, major Sydney celebrations, corporate functions and visiting European royalty. For many years, she worked as a Director of Music with the Australian National Youth Performing Arts Group. She worked extensively with the Australian Youth Choir and its top choirs in both accompaniment and conducting roles.

In 2012 Helen was commissioned to record the piano collection of Sydney composer, Mark McEncroe. The first two collections of these beautiful classical works, Reflections & Recollections, have been released and are available online in ITunes, Amazon Music. Spotify, Jango music, CD Baby, Fish Fine Music Town Hall Sydney, on You Tube and also direct from the composer www.markjohnmcencroecomposer.com

In December 2014 Helen was commissioned to record Mark's first work for piano and orchestra 'Natalie's Suite' with the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic. The album 'Dark Clouds in Life: Natalie's Suite & Other Works' was released in the USA in March 2017 through Parma Music and Navona Records. This album has made the Top 10 Classical CD's for 2017 on Canada's Textura site, coming in 6th. It is also available through the above online music download sites.

In her role as a teacher Helen has taught at the college level and privately. She has been a piano teacher since she received her AMus.A as a teenager and many of her advanced students have gained places at the Sydney Conservatorium and at various universities in performance majors over the years. 

Sydney Music Enterprises is helping to bring the advantages of the PianoExpress system to adults and piano teachers alike. Sydney Music Enterprises has supplied top musicians for functions and events in the private, corporate and prestigious venues sector with prominent Australian and international corporations listed among its clients. All rights to PianoExpress, including copyright of the system, are owned by Helen Kennedy and are under licence to Sydney Music Enterprises. Helen is Managing Director of Sydney Music Enterprises Pty Ltd.