Professional Piano Arts Centre
PianoCenter
PianoCenter is the professional piano arts centre founded by Amadeu de Oliveira, with two units in the municipality of Leiria: the head unit in Leiria and the Amor unit, which operates as the Escola de Música de Amor. Pedagogical direction is by Amadeu de Oliveira, creator of the Método Amadeus.
Method
What the Método Amadeus is
The Método Amadeus rests on immediate instrumental practice: theory and reading are integrated into the very piece the student is studying, instead of being taught as an isolated, prior discipline. In practice, the student plays from the first lesson and learns to read what they are playing.
The difference is not comfort, it is retention. Solfège taught separately is the most frequent reason for giving up in the first two years — especially among children and among adults who start late. Integrating it into the piece removes that breaking point.
Units
Two units, one method
- Leiria — head unitFocused on high performance and preparation for conservatory and higher education. This is where the professional track runs.
- Amor — Escola de Música de AmorMultidisciplinary unit at the premises of the Junta de Freguesia de Amor: piano, guitar, violin and voice, plus a children's choir for ages 6 to 9.
- Partnership networkAcademia de Música de S. Sebastião and Centro d'Artes da Nazaré, alongside the Junta de Freguesia de Amor and Associação AmorMais.
Programme
Tracks and timetable
| Track or timetable | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|
| Professional track — high performance | 90 min weekly | Conservatory and higher education preparation |
| Open track — individual | 30 min weekly | Children and adults |
| Open track — group of two | 30 min weekly | Children and adults |
| Open track — group of three | 45 min weekly | Children and adults |
| Children's choir | Weekly session | Ages 6 to 9 |
| Weekdays | 17.00 to 20.00 | After-work hours |
| Saturdays | 10.00–13.00 and 14.00–19.00 | All tracks |
Questions
Questions from prospective students
From what age can a child start?
The children's choir takes children from the age of 6. For an instrument, the entry age depends more on maturity of attention than on the calendar, and it is assessed in a contact lesson before any enrolment.
Do you take adults who have never played?
Yes, and they are a significant share of the students. The Método Amadeus was designed precisely for people who have neither the patience nor the time for two years of solfège before playing a complete piece.
Are lessons individual?
There are individual lessons of 30 minutes, two-student groups in 30 minutes and three-student groups in 45 minutes. Other formats are arranged in advance. The professional track runs at 90 minutes weekly.
Do you prepare for conservatory and exams?
Yes. The professional, high-performance track exists for conservatory and higher education preparation, with individual supervision of each student's path.
Enrolment
Enrolment and information
Enrolment, detailed timetables and the conditions of each unit are on the centre's own site. For artistic or programming matters, use the proposal request.