The Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education
Certification - Level 1
Certification in the Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education is designed for teachers who want to study the Approach systematically and learn to apply its principles in real teaching situations. Level 1 Certification combines educational study, practical teaching, musicianship development, reflection, and assessment so that teachers develop both an understanding of the Approach and experience using it with students.
Certification courses are grounded in actual teaching. Teachers examine lesson structure, sequencing, student understanding, healthy learning environments, musicianship, performance, and day-to-day instructional decisions while continuing to develop their own musical skills. Throughout the course, they apply ideas in lessons, reflect on what occurs, refine their decisions, and demonstrate their learning through practical work, musicianship assessments, performance, and written reflection.
All teachers seeking certification begin with Level 1, which establishes the foundational principles and practices upon which later certification study builds.
What Level 1 Includes:
Level 1 Certification establishes a clear and practical foundation for teaching, combining core principles, real-world application, and essential musicianship. Level 1 Certification includes:
Study of the core principles of the Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education
Understanding clarity, sequencing, scaffolding, and sound-based learning
Practical strategies for lesson structure, pacing, problem-solving, and working with students who struggle, including breaking learning into clear, manageable steps
Understanding and implementing student-centered and student-directed learning
Strategies for developing tension-free technique through physical ease, balance, whole-body awareness, natural movement, and the recognition and release of unnecessary muscular tension
Development of classroom and lesson environments through proactive planning, clear procedures, and consistent expectations, with routines that are taught, practiced, and reinforced to support focus, participation, and student success
Creating positive and supportive learning environments in which all students are welcomed, encouraged, and treated with respect, and where students are able to participate without fear of negative judgment
Understanding individual students’ needs, interests, and goals in order to build strong, productive lessons and classrooms
Application of ideas directly within lessons, including private instruction, small group instruction, classroom teaching, and ensemble settings
Guidance in working with students at different levels, interests, and goals, including in small group and classroom environments, and preparing students for performance
A broader approach to performance preparation, in which students participate not only as performers, but also in meaningful roles such as stage direction, stage management, costumes and wardrobe, set design, sound and lighting design, house management, promotion and advertising, ticketing, fundraising, and other aspects of production
Development of teacher musicianship, including sight reading, sight singing, ear training, audiation, moveable-do solfege, rhythm, conducting, singing and vocal work, and piano or keyboard skills
Music theory, composition, and songwriting, along with the use of notation software
Teachers learning alongside their students through ongoing reflection, application, and growth within real teaching situations
Introduction to The Dennis Frayne Ascent lifetime music achievement, honors, and awards program
Guided use of Presto! It’s Piano Magic, Book 1
The goals of Level 1 Certification’s guided lessons in the use of Presto! It’s Piano Magic, Book 1 include the teacher playing and performing the complete contents of Book 1, as well as learning how to teach Book 1 to beginning music students. This provides a clear and practical framework for applying the approach in real teaching situations, connecting the ideas of The Approach with a structured sequence of lessons and materials. Certification courses make extensive use of the Presto! It’s Music Magic curriculum, authored by Dr. Dennis Frayne. Eligible Teacher Members have access to purchase the curriculum for use in their teaching.
Who Certification Is For
Certification is designed for music teachers in the United States who:
want greater clarity, consistency, and confidence in how they teach
are looking for a more connected and thoughtful approach to lessons and classrooms
want to understand and respond effectively to differences in students’ readiness, prior experience, strengths, needs, interests, goals, backgrounds, and learning contexts
want to strengthen their ability to sequence instruction and break learning into clear, manageable steps
are interested in creating structured, positive learning environments through effective planning and procedure
are interested in developing their musicianship alongside their teaching
are committed to growing as teachers through ongoing reflection, application, and real teaching experience
Teachers at all stages of experience are welcome.
Relationship to Membership
Certification is closely connected to the Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education membership.
Membership provides access to:
the organized teaching library
the private teacher community
direct guidance and support
teaching materials and resources
These elements support the certification process and help teachers apply what they are learning in real time.
A Thoughtful, Ongoing Process
Certification is not intended to be rushed but is designed as a thoughtful process that allows teachers to:
study ideas carefully
apply them in lessons
reflect on their teaching
refine their approach over time
Each certification course includes 44 two-hour sessions completed in either the six-month or one-year format. The courses are paced to give teachers time to study, practice, teach, reflect, and revisit important ideas across multiple weeks. Professional learning becomes visible through what teachers can understand, perform, apply, explain, and demonstrate by the end of the course rather than through the speed with which requirements are completed.
Requirements for Completion and Certification
Level 1 Certification is awarded upon successful completion of all course requirements. These requirements are designed to reflect both understanding and practical application of the Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education.
1. Performance Recital
Each teacher must present a recorded recital consisting of all songs and pieces from Presto! It’s Piano Magic, Book 1.
The full repertoire is to be performed from memory
The recital must be performed in a single sitting (approximately 15–20 minutes)
Songs that include lyrics and/or solfege must be sung while playing, both with lyrics and with solfege where appropriate
The recital must be video recorded and submitted
This requirement asks teachers to experience the repertoire directly as musicians and learners while demonstrating fluency, memory, coordination, singing, solfege, and musical understanding before teaching the material to students.
2. Written and Aural Work
Teachers must complete:
all exercises and worksheets included in Presto! It’s Piano Magic, Book 1
all additional written and aural assignments given throughout the course
These assignments support the development of music literacy, theory, and musicianship in alignment with the approach.
3. Active Teaching Requirement
Teachers must be actively engaged in teaching music throughout the duration of the course. Teaching may be full-time or part-time, and may include any instrument, voice, or ensemble setting, such as:
private individual instruction
small group instruction
classroom teaching
ensemble direction
This requirement ensures that course concepts are applied consistently in real teaching situations.
4. Musicianship and Theory Examinations
Teachers must successfully complete written and aural examinations in music theory and musicianship. These assessments are performance-based and may include:
rhythm and counting
sight reading and sight singing
ear training and audiation
solfege (moveable-Do)
foundational theory concepts
arranging, composing, and improvising
These examinations ensure that teachers demonstrate practical musicianship skills in addition to conceptual understanding.
5. Concluding Essay
Teachers must complete a concluding essay on an approved topic related to the Core Tenets of The Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education. The essay should demonstrate:
clear understanding of the principles of the approach
thoughtful reflection on teaching practice
connection between theory and real teaching experience
6. Attendance
Attendance is required for all scheduled sessions. Make-up assignments or projects may be allowed for a limited number of absences. 100% attendance or its approved equivalent is required for successful completion of the program. This ensures continuity of learning and full participation in the course.
7. Assigned Reading
Teachers must complete all assigned reading materials throughout the course. These readings support the theoretical and philosophical foundation of the Approach and are an essential component of the learning process.
Taken together, these requirements show what Level 1 Certification is intended to recognize. Teachers study the philosophy, develop their musicianship, apply the Approach in ongoing teaching, complete substantial musical and written work, and reflect on the relationship between educational principles and actual experience. Certification is awarded when that learning has been completed and demonstrated.
Course Structure
Level 1 Certification consists of 44 two-hour sessions, for a total of 88 instructional hours. The course is offered in two scheduling formats:
One-Year Format: 52 weeks, including 44 weeks with one two-hour session scheduled and 8 break weeks.
Six-Month Format: 26 weeks, including 22 weeks with two two-hour sessions scheduled and 4 break weeks.
Both formats include the same 44 sessions, 88 instructional hours, course content, assignments, assessments, and certification requirements. The difference is the pace at which the sessions are completed.
Getting Started
Teachers interested in certification are encouraged to begin by exploring the Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education and considering how these ideas apply in their teaching. Dennis Frayne Association membership provides the most direct path into certification, along with the support and resources needed to begin.
If you are an active member in good standing and wish to enroll in Certification Level 1, click here to get started.